FEEDBACK: DROID

News
Wing

11 august 2022 0

Here’s a feedback on the new Droïd 2023 from Vince to whom our local GONG ambassador friendly lent him his gear for a test.

“I had the chance to test the Droïd 2023 in 4.5 and 5.5 thanks to our local mascot FantoSlate!

78kg guy, Lethal 4’10, Carbon 85 Mast, Fluid L-S and 43 Fast Stab. I asked FantoSlate to test the 5.5 because I’m looking to take a 6m for light winds between 10 and 15 knots. Currently with another brand in 5m I can sail from 13 knots, but below that I have to wait for the gusts and it’s quite physical to take off because I’m sailing in L-S Fluid.

Very good grip, the handles are well placed.

Test of the 5.5 in 16-20 knots, super rigid, powerful, no difficulty to take off, even in soft conditions, pumping with the wing is natural and simple, I find. The materials are solid, the wingspan is great (I think less wide than my current wing from another brand) so no problem with bumps. It heads upwind very well, for jumps it’s perfect and the transition to this wing is very fast, for the few surfs I’ve done with it, I find it quite neutral. The wing is constantly trying to catch the wind, no need to steer it, so you have to have it in the right wind range, the 5.5 was too big for me at 20 knots, and kneeling on my little board the wing moves a lot.

Once standing on the other hand, zero difficulty. Negative points, there are no windows (it doesn’t bother me on my current wing), but there the wing is quite bulky so you have to lift it to see if there are people, making you lose speed. The inflation/deflation valves, to be seen in winter if there is a good grip when the hands are frozen.

“A real treat!!”

Test of the 4.5 in 16-20 knots, The same remarks as the 5.5 but the size corresponds much better to the wind range, so it’s even easier and better adapted, a real treat!! I probably could have tried a 3.5, I’m sure it would have worked too. For me, it’s a wing that I’ll only take out between 10 and 15 knots, so a 5.5, above I find it too physical, especially without a harness. To be tested in the waves but I think a Neutra will still be easier. For a beginner I think you will need a board with enough volume to be able to hold the wing well when stationary.

Positive test, because there is a chance that this Droïd 2023 will be part of my quiver soon!! But I will first start by changing the Stab (Fluid H42 I think).

Thanks again to FantoSlate for the gear and for the photos.”