edit: I had a user on this forum reach out with a solid deal on a used Vyper 190 that they wanted to offload, so I decided to go ahead and pull the trigger. I don’t have the experience to really A/B it against the 150 and be able to say which one is best for where I’m at. But I’ll report back in time if I find it’s working well or not for me.
Context:
I am a total wing and foil noob, with a minimal amount of prone foiling experience. I am trying to pick up winging to get time on days when the waves aren’t suitable for prone—and to just get more time on foil. I am 5’7", 140lbs, and live on the Outer Banks of North Carolina FWIW. I have a Unifoil Vyper 150 which I got as my first foil because I had concerns about being over powered in the surf initially. I am not good but I haven’t had issues getting up on foil with it prone.
Question:
I am three (not very productive) sessions* into winging with a 5.5m wing and a 6’2" board (no volume listed).
At this point I’m just learning the basics of taxying both ways and trying to stay up wind. But, I have concerns about being able to get up on foil when the time comes with the Vyper 150. From everything I’ve read, beginners should be looking for min 1750cm² to start with. I know most of those recommendation’s are assuming low-aspect wings, but even with the V150 being mid-aspect 925cm² seems really low from my research.
Do I just bite the bullet and buy a Vyper 190 to get started winging with? Or is it possible to learn with the V150? I
edit: I found a used Vyper 190 for $300. Someone talk me out of buying that and powering through with the 150 so I can put the cash to other gear.
*: First session was pretty much a disaster with 30mph winds and way overpowered on 5.5m wing. Second was less messy—but picked the wrong spot and kept bumping the bottom. Third was more productive but winds were to light at around 8mph to really do much.
At 140 lbs and a 5.5m wing the reasonable wind range is probably 15-22 mph. I’d avoid forcing it going out in conditions with too much or too little wind.
You don’t need a 1700 cm foil. Especially at 140 lbs with foiling experience. A Vyper 190 at 1225 cm would be great, but the 925 cm is probably enough. Big foils are recommended for winging mostly because building board speed by pumping the wing takes some finesse and fitness. A larger foil lowers the take off speed and lets you takeoff with little or no wing pumping ability.
A 4m wing would be a great addition, that size and wind speed is probably ideal to learn and will get you more time on the water.
Learn to pump the wing violently and continiously to generate board speed.
Thanks, all helpful tips. I think a 4m wing is probably the sweet spot for around here (we get a lot of 15-20mph days through the winter). But I had concerns about being under powered with my front foil wing being on the smaller size for what I saw recommended for beginners. Wing size was something I saw a bit of conflicting material on for beginners. Some said 4m was fine, so said minimum 5, some said 6 or 7. So I chose the middle ground.
Thanks for the insight. I may continue with this same gear for a bit a see if I can get it on foil and if not, look for a v190. And if it I am able to get it on foil, put that cash into a 4m to have a higher top end range.
At this point, winging is my “hobby” priority for this winter as we start getting runs of North Easters. We’ll see how things shape up over the coming months—hopefully with minimally gear switching.
You’ll need a 4m at 140lbs. 5.5 will be your light wind wing. you don’t need a 1750, but I would also consider the 190 as well as a larger stab - depending on what you have. The large foils will not only get you up sooner, but also give you more pitch stability - which will be helpful. You don’t mention you board specifics. Only reason I mention it is because I had a friend that was trying to learn on an old “3 in 1” SUP/SURF/FOIL board & it had so much rocker, there was no way he was getting up under Wing power… he switched to a Wing board & was up right away…
This is good info. FWIW, I was always thinking of the 5.5m just as my “learning wing” and planning on targeting 15-20mph days. Then getting a 4m later when I got more efficient with the wing. Are you saying you recommend I avoid this and only get a 4m. The 30mph day I went out in was merely because I had just gotten the gear and was overly excited. It served as a good slice of humble pie.
It’s a 6’2" Jimmy Lewis foilboard and the only dims written on it are 6'2" x 27. It’s not one of his production boards though and I was told it is custom, I assume made in his shop on Maui. The closest thing on his site to it is the Flying V2. To your point of design though—it’s a board that’s designed specifically for foiling not a combo.
Now I’m really torn about the V190 and my 5.5m wing and I’m questioning life decisions.
Honestly, 2 wings is minimum IMHO. Wings have a ton of range. In the beginning you want power as you refine your pumping & takeoff technique. If you plan on going out from 10-30 knot winds(you should…) you need the power of a 5.0-5.5 for 10-20 & when its over 20 you will need a 3.5-4.0 just to keep it manageable. At your weight I would have recommended a 3.5 & a 5.0 just because the 5.0 should be enough for light days & the smaller size will be easier to handle. If you already have the 5.5, then that will work pretty well just know that as the wind approaches 20, it will be a handful, & a 3.5 will be better as the wind approaches 30, but a 5.5 & a 4.0 is a good spread. Dunno who would recommend a 7.0 or even a 6.0 for 140lb beginner…
Board seems like it will do the trick for a bit. Soon you will want a narrower, smaller board.
