Hello fellow wingdingers,
How big a gap can you have between sizes?
Having only had appr. 10 sessions on a borrowed Duotone 4m I don't have a lot to compare with...
I would like to buy two Duotone Echo's and of course cover as much wind range as possible.
Do you think I can go 3.3m and 5m or will the gap be to big?
What is the average wind speed with you? Unless you are fairly light you'll need VERY high wind to use a 3.3. I'm 85kg and need around 18 knots to use my 4m - I reckon it's sweet spot is 20-25 knots for me. A 5m is perfect for my weight in 15-20 knots - I could hold them in a fair amount more wind but it just gets uncomfortable and the more overpowered you are the quicker you tire.
It depends on your skill level, but especially as a beginner, if you go for too big a gap you'll have a range in between the two wings that one hasn't got enough power while the other has too much power. Having said that I wouldn't have though a 1.7m gap would be impossible - I'm sure you can hang onto the 5m until there's enough power for the 3.3m to take over (they are fairly easy to depower), but unless you live in an area which is blessed with LOTS of wind (or you are very light), you might be better going for a slightly bigger wing than a 3.3m. Other sizes you could consider are a 3.6m (I think f-one does this size) to pair with your 5m, or if you go for a 4m you could pair it with the Naish s25 5.3m. It really depends on your weight and the wind conditions you'll be using them in. We mostly get very light wings here so I have a 7m, a 5.3m, and a 4m for the odd time when it blasts, but if I had to get rid of one I would drop the 4m simply because i don't get to use it as much as the others because of the wind conditions here.
Gong do a chart that gives guidance for wing size/wind range/rider weight that could be useful, but I think that some of their estimations for the smaller sizes are a bit optimistic, especially for beginners - I'm not sure I'd want to hold onto a 3m in 57 knots!!!!!!! See the link for the chart - scroll to near the bottom of the page and click on 'Buying Guide':
https://www.gong-galaxy.com/en/product/gong-wing-pulse/
That’ll work fine. Cover a good wind range. There will be days when it’s not perfect for either but unless you have every size that’s always going to be the case. You’ll love the small one on days when it’s really blowing. My fave size is 2.8. Shame I haven’t used it for a while but winter storms will be on the way soon over here. Woohoo. The better you get the more high and low end you will milk out of both sizes.
I think people are finding that they can skip one size and be fine, especially as their skills improve. Also helps to have a couple of foils you can add to the mix. Probably best to stay with one brand however.
That’ll work fine. Cover a good wind range. There will be days when it’s not perfect for either but unless you have every size that’s always going to be the case. You’ll love the small one on days when it’s really blowing. My fave size is 2.8. Shame I haven’t used it for a while but winter storms will be on the way soon over here. Woohoo. The better you get the more high and low end you will milk out of both sizes.
Wow, 2.8 is tiny. What wind range do you use it in and how much do you weigh?
73kg. S-wing 2.8 is pretty powerful. Low end probably 20 knots at a pinch. Never hit the top but when its 30 knots you know all about it. So compact in your hand with the short boom and wingspan. Swell riding with a small wing is so cool.
I'm (82kg) using a Gong Superpower 6m in 12-20kn and a Gong Pulse 4m from 20kn upwards. (did not ride in in more than 25kn so far)
I'm (82kg) using a Gong Superpower 6m in 12-20kn and a Gong Pulse 4m from 20kn upwards. (did not ride in in more than 25kn so far)
Hi Stenninger. How does the Gong superpower handle? I see from pics that its deeper (longer central strut) and was wondering what difference that makes to it's handling compared to the usual designs.
Hi Stenninger. How does the Gong superpower handle? I see from pics that its deeper (longer central strut) and was wondering what difference that makes to it's handling compared to the usual designs.
Hm, difficult to answer. Especially because I'm still learning every day and I did not ride too many different wings so far.
1st, I like it! It's not a big deal to handle that size and the longer strut is no problem. (think it helps to keep the wingspan smaller)
The Superpower does have the deepest profile of all Gong wings. (...it's made for low wind)
The perfect angle of attack is smaller and therefore needs a bit more concentration.
The Superpower is more rigit than the 7m Gong original which I owned before. Thats excellent for pumping (still working on my technique).
But one should use something smaller if the wind picks up. Beyond 20kn it gets exhausting ;-)
Hi Stenninger. How does the Gong superpower handle? I see from pics that its deeper (longer central strut) and was wondering what difference that makes to it's handling compared to the usual designs.
Hm, difficult to answer. Especially because I'm still learning every day and I did not ride too many different wings so far.
1st, I like it! It's not a big deal to handle that size and the longer strut is no problem. (think it helps to keep the wingspan smaller)
The Superpower does have the deepest profile of all Gong wings. (...it's made for low wind)
The perfect angle of attack is smaller and therefore needs a bit more concentration.
The Superpower is more rigit than the 7m Gong original which I owned before. Thats excellent for pumping (still working on my technique).
But one should use something smaller if the wind picks up. Beyond 20kn it gets exhausting ;-)
Thanks for this, it really helps. I've got a Gong wing plus 7m and it's perfect for me in 10 - 15 knots, and have used it in 15 -19knots, which although was a handful it didn't feel out of control, just a bit if a handful. For me it's minimum wind is 9-11 knots. The reason I'm so interested in the Superpower wings is because we have soooo many days where the wind is either 6-10 knots, or 8-12 knots. When it's 8-12 the 7m is ok, but unless it's consistently above 8 knots then forget it. I'm thinking more of the 9m Superpower for those days that are 6-10 knots. I'm pretty sure that if its 6 knots consistently then nothing will fly, but if it gets me flying in a few less knots than the 7m then I might give it go. What do you think?
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