Not an easy question to answer. If you go with the HS series I would probably stick with those wings and not mix HS and HA. Riding characteristics will remain the same when you change wings which means you adapt quicker. Given that I would take the 1550v2 and 1250. They are very similar. The 1250 is more similar to the 1550 v2 than the 1050.

If you want go HA I would pick the 1125 and 925. Yes, the 1125 has a wide wingspan, but you can still carve the chop. It can handle tips coming out which means you can still push very hard.

Agree with hilly. 77kg. Use the 1250 for 13k and higher. Tail shim and mast placement for light wind adjusting. The 1550 v2 is nice but any advantages over 1250 are hard to spot and would be marginal at best.

cct305 said..
Agree with hilly. 77kg. Use the 1250 for 13k and higher. Tail shim and mast placement for light wind adjusting. The 1550 v2 is nice but any advantages over 1250 are hard to spot and would be marginal at best.

Oh really, so no need for the 1550v2? What about <18 knots at my weight using 6m wing

cct305 said..
If you're in really light conditions which to me would be 11-12k to 14k then I'm not sure the 1550 v2 will give u any meaningful benefits over the 1250 because both those wings are difficult to get use in those type of conditions. I will tell you that at your size with a large wing and 15k the 1250 should be just fine.

hmmm, interesting. I was using the Moses 799 which is a 5.8 AR, 1100cm2, span 799mm, about 18knots on a sinker is the low end, it has great lift. The wind in Sydney is not consistent at all so 15knots can be 10-20knots!

The HS1250 is 5.51 AR and 1250cm2, with a span of 830. I'd be very surprised if I could get going on a sinker in 15knots.

I would've thought the 1550v2 would surpass the 1250 in this respect and give better low end performance...

I'm more interested in winging when it's 15+ knots as I kite foil when less than 15 knots in Sydney winds, so perhaps a wing for 15-20knots and 1 for 20+ knots

You can't go wrong with a 1250 in my opinion. I've had this wing out in over 40knots and it is fine. It's my most used foil at 85kg on 5m wing. If you are doing in and out winging from one spot the 1250 has good speed and carves great on 85cm mast. The new 925 is tempting as my next wing purchase for 20knots+ Downwind riding on wing, I still need to demo it before I buy. I have the big 1850 I use in 10knots-18knots flat water winging and for SUPsurf/DW. Haven't used a 1550v2 so can't comment.

Two wings - 1550v2 + 925
One wing - 1250

north_kiter said..
I'm confused now, I would've thought the extra 200cm2 of the 1550v2 would make 12-20knots more enjoyable and easy than the HS1250.

Am I missing something here?

I don't think the HS1850 is right for me as just being on foil doesn't really interest me, that's why I am considering a HS1550v2, but it sounds like it is money not well spent...

Gonna chime in here, 79kg. My experience is that the 1550v2 definitely gives more low end than the 1250. I used to have an 1850 and 1250 combo, but recently sold my 1850 and bought a 1550v2 instead. When I started winging, I found it very hard to get the 1250 up on foil, unless it was 23-25kt+ with a 5m wing. So I used my 1850 for 95% of my sessions.
But then I was able to demo an 1550v2 and by that time my pumping technique had also improved. I found the 1550v2 almost as easy to get up on foil as the 1850. However, I still struggle with the 1250 in marginal winds.
So for me, it is definitely money well spent as the 1550v2 feels way more slippery than the 1850 (thinner profile, higher AR, same span) but easier to get up than the 1250. Do I think my skills could progress to the point where I will be able to pump the 1250 up to speed in marginal winds? Sure. But in the meantime I will happily enjoy my 1550v2 and keep my 1250 for higher winds.
I guess the question is: how good is your pumping technique?

Thanks for the info, I think I will start with the HS1550v2 at my weight 95-100kgs, as that'll be for the lions share of my winging 15-25 knots range, and given the conditions are pretty sketchy in Sydney. I'll see if I can demo a HS1250v2 later on.

I've 2 wings a 6m and 5m, so if really strong wind I can just use the 5m with the 1550v2.

So what tail is best, 232 or the flying V?

My use case is:
- Winging 90%
- Pumping 5%
- Prone 5%

Just something to consider, your w800 is very similar to the 925 so if your going to keep the 800 I wouldn't bother getting the 925.

Great discussion. Given your weight and location (sydney) and the fact you want to still kite foil in sub 15 knots (ps I'm of the same mind given sub 15), id say the your choice is about right.
if you were living over here in WA id say buy a 1250 and build a quiver from there. Its like your 9/10m kite.

that being said i would PM Hilly above and further the discussion. He's always been bang on for info for me anyhow, he is your kinda body mass (Big kent) and was probably one of the first to adopt the armies over here (been on them the longest).

north_kiter said..
Thanks for the info, very helpful.

Are the rumors true about 85cm mast flexing for riders my weight or is this hearsay?

Yeah all my mast flex a fair bit with me on it but the high aspect 1125 was really bad with the extra width the smaller surf wings aren't a problem

hilly said..
Have the A+ 85 mast no issues with flex 1125 or 1850. 105 kg. It is a beat up.

Do you think the A+ mast is stiffer than it's predecessor?

Just to add to this I think you have two things to consider re feedbackPeople under 100kg don't know what it's like to be 100kg or over. 80 kg doesn't compare to 100 for feel.

the wind quality in some areas is vastly different to others eg wa compared to Vic. I'm 105 kg sailing in Vic Ocean only (gusty wind prone to dropouts) And I use an 1850 in flukey sea breezes 1550 in light breeze with more swell and 1250 in more wind and swell. All have their place. All are great wings
I notice no mast flex supping or winging both 72 and 85 masts even with the 1125 wing.

windrider323 said..
Just to add to this I think you have two things to consider re feedbackPeople under 100kg don't know what it's like to be 100kg or over. 80 kg doesn't compare to 100 for feel.

the wind quality in some areas is vastly different to others eg wa compared to Vic. I'm 105 kg sailing in Vic Ocean only (gusty wind prone to dropouts) And I use an 1850 in flukey sea breezes 1550 in light breeze with more swell and 1250 in more wind and swell. All have their place. All are great wings
I notice no mast flex supping or winging both 72 and 85 masts even with the 1125 wing.

Some great points there out of interest what speeds are you pushing the 1125 As my problems start when hitting 22kts and the wing tip dips as the amount of yaw and roll it has from the mast flex if I was just cruzen around it's fine or going upwind is fine but off the breeze sending it when it's sailed flat it does what it wants