In my opinion, the MacKite reviews are honest and straightforward. This is a comparison of the Vsion and Mantis from last year. I didn't check to see if they've ridden the '24 yet. https://youtu.be/4cp59CKBcks?si=etRKReEY0U7dgNXD
Regarding the wing size, normally I'd recommend a 7m2 as a light wind option but since you're 6'3" you might have the arm span to hold an 8 m2 wing. IME, 8m2 wings are really big, like cartoonishly huge! A 7 is typically easier to hold, fly, and control. You could handle the larger size but I still think that a 7 is a better option to learn on. Good luck.
I am 186cm, 82kg, longer arms and just got 5.7m2 niel pryde wing with 1700cm2/450/82cm ensis carbon foil and 130l inflatable/72cm width. I didnt have a chance to try it or even foil but i watched a ton of videos in the last month. I think my wing is already huge, so i cant imagine foiling with 7 or even 8m. Its expensive to get the easiest wing and foil and gets boring quickly probably. Sure u have better chance to foil at the beginning but after few days of practice you get much better at it, you can much better use/operate the rig and get the max out of it soon. And you will probably want smaller stuff.
I like to windsurf only in low to mid wind and i want to cruise, have fun with foil also in easier weather conditions and i think 5.7m or 6m wing is sweet spot. i believe so 😀 I hope so 😅
What kind of wind speed are you using that in? I was originally leaning towards 6m but now thinking maybe a 7 and then eventually a 4 or 5 for windier days.
U meant 4 or 5 for stronger wind days right?!
I windsurf in speeds from 20kmh up to 30kmh, so about 12-15knots but foil is different, because when you get out of the water, there is much less drag and smaller wing will be sufficient as i learned on the internet haha
a friend loves them but objectively speaking they break down. they also bag out (never understood this term before tried his 4.5m, 6m cabs). then i understood. maybe he didnt take care of them properly but he also had them repaired more than once. i would be super annoyed.
For personal reference, I am 6'6 and 215 lbs. not your average winger.
I've found that a 7M wing definately gives you the "grunt" in light winds. I started out using this size wing (Vision actually) and ended up preferring the 6M for light winds. Light winds here is 12-15kn on a 100L Board (classic shape), and a 1500 Medium Aspect Foil. The 6M called to me once I better undertstood how to pump the wing/foil and apparent wind. The 6m is easier to pump, transition, basically anything other than if you were to wear a harness with a 7 or 8m and blast in a straight line.
Haven't tried to 04 model but I heard they made some improvements. As for my seams and valves, they're in perfect shape. My buddy was not so fortunate to be honest but Cabrinha hooked him up with a repair kit and video (he was OK doing the work himself) and were generally friendly and apologetic to the issue.
Last thing is the the handles from either year Vision (they're the same) are real nice. Coming from a windsurf backround I have trauma from being boom punched so I'll stay away from booms and absolutely rigid handles. The ones Cab designed have a bit of a flex to them but are by NO means soft. Makes pumping ALOT easier which is probably why I can pump that wing onto a foil in marginal breeze vs. a wing with soft handles.
In short, either year is fine. Size is a preference and so subject to board/foil/rider ability.
Happy Trails!
Funny you mention gloves, I was wondering if folks in colder climates would use the handle "spacers" when using gloves in order to get more room between the strut and the handle. With the rather large hands I Have meant leaving the spacers on there. But it was fun to experiment with different setups on the spacers to change the angle the wing sits at when sheeted in.
Thank you! This is the kind of info I was looking for. So it sounds like with experience, the pumpability of a 6m can make up for the bigger size of a 7m in lighter winds?
Yes, I also switched to a more efficient foil which gave me more glide through the foil after pumping the wing. Honestly you'd be good with any of those wings, the maddening part of this sport is that literally almost anything "works" it's just about your skill level and desire.
I did try an 8M Wing as well but it reminded me again of the huge windsurfing gear I owned for lightwind days. I have kids and a lawn to take care of on those days now.
I used consum.io to research wings and found some helpful reviews.
For your wind range, I'd recommend the 7m as well. I've heard the Vision is a great beginner wing, and the 7m should handle the 8-20kts range nicely.
As for lighter winds, I'd say the 5m would be a good addition to your quiver. At 6'3 and 80kg, you might find the 5m a bit more suitable for those lighter days.
In my opinion, the MacKite reviews are honest and straightforward. This is a comparison of the Vsion and Mantis from last year. I didn't check to see if they've ridden the '24 yet. https://youtu.be/4cp59CKBcks?si=etRKReEY0U7dgNXD Regarding the wing size, normally I'd recommend a 7m2 as a light wind option but since you're 6'3" you might have the arm span to hold an 8 m2 wing. IME, 8m2 wings are really big, like cartoonishly huge! A 7 is typically easier to hold, fly, and control. You could handle the larger size but I still think that a 7 is a better option to learn on. Good luck.
I am 186cm, 82kg, longer arms and just got 5.7m2 niel pryde wing with 1700cm2/450/82cm ensis carbon foil and 130l inflatable/72cm width. I didnt have a chance to try it or even foil but i watched a ton of videos in the last month. I think my wing is already huge, so i cant imagine foiling with 7 or even 8m. Its expensive to get the easiest wing and foil and gets boring quickly probably. Sure u have better chance to foil at the beginning but after few days of practice you get much better at it, you can much better use/operate the rig and get the max out of it soon. And you will probably want smaller stuff. I like to windsurf only in low to mid wind and i want to cruise, have fun with foil also in easier weather conditions and i think 5.7m or 6m wing is sweet spot. i believe so 😀 I hope so 😅
What kind of wind speed are you using that in? I was originally leaning towards 6m but now thinking maybe a 7 and then eventually a 4 or 5 for windier days.
U meant 4 or 5 for stronger wind days right?! I windsurf in speeds from 20kmh up to 30kmh, so about 12-15knots but foil is different, because when you get out of the water, there is much less drag and smaller wing will be sufficient as i learned on the internet haha
Lol, yes. My bad 🤦🏻♂️
just get a F one. cabs break. leaky valves, seams come apart
I don't want floppy handles
i hear ya. v1 is floppy, v2 almost the same. v3 much more rigid (semi-rigid), v4 you can get hard handles duotone unit?
Are Cabrinha that bad?
a friend loves them but objectively speaking they break down. they also bag out (never understood this term before tried his 4.5m, 6m cabs). then i understood. maybe he didnt take care of them properly but he also had them repaired more than once. i would be super annoyed.
For personal reference, I am 6'6 and 215 lbs. not your average winger. I've found that a 7M wing definately gives you the "grunt" in light winds. I started out using this size wing (Vision actually) and ended up preferring the 6M for light winds. Light winds here is 12-15kn on a 100L Board (classic shape), and a 1500 Medium Aspect Foil. The 6M called to me once I better undertstood how to pump the wing/foil and apparent wind. The 6m is easier to pump, transition, basically anything other than if you were to wear a harness with a 7 or 8m and blast in a straight line. Haven't tried to 04 model but I heard they made some improvements. As for my seams and valves, they're in perfect shape. My buddy was not so fortunate to be honest but Cabrinha hooked him up with a repair kit and video (he was OK doing the work himself) and were generally friendly and apologetic to the issue. Last thing is the the handles from either year Vision (they're the same) are real nice. Coming from a windsurf backround I have trauma from being boom punched so I'll stay away from booms and absolutely rigid handles. The ones Cab designed have a bit of a flex to them but are by NO means soft. Makes pumping ALOT easier which is probably why I can pump that wing onto a foil in marginal breeze vs. a wing with soft handles. In short, either year is fine. Size is a preference and so subject to board/foil/rider ability. Happy Trails!
I really like the handles on the vision. They are a small diameter and therefore less fatiguing when you wear gloves in cold weather.
Funny you mention gloves, I was wondering if folks in colder climates would use the handle "spacers" when using gloves in order to get more room between the strut and the handle. With the rather large hands I Have meant leaving the spacers on there. But it was fun to experiment with different setups on the spacers to change the angle the wing sits at when sheeted in.
I use the spacers.
Thank you! This is the kind of info I was looking for. So it sounds like with experience, the pumpability of a 6m can make up for the bigger size of a 7m in lighter winds?
Yes, I also switched to a more efficient foil which gave me more glide through the foil after pumping the wing. Honestly you'd be good with any of those wings, the maddening part of this sport is that literally almost anything "works" it's just about your skill level and desire. I did try an 8M Wing as well but it reminded me again of the huge windsurfing gear I owned for lightwind days. I have kids and a lawn to take care of on those days now.
I used consum.io to research wings and found some helpful reviews. For your wind range, I'd recommend the 7m as well. I've heard the Vision is a great beginner wing, and the 7m should handle the 8-20kts range nicely. As for lighter winds, I'd say the 5m would be a good addition to your quiver. At 6'3 and 80kg, you might find the 5m a bit more suitable for those lighter days.