BIG wing dilemma, pt 3 (8m CWC's)

here we go, one more round. I started this cause I thought it was time to buy a new wing, and so thus research needed to be done. as I consider the 8m Strike CWC, it makes me look hard at the things that I like about my current 8m. so being able to compare these two back-to-back over a few weeks has been a great way to figure all that out. this 8m was sent to me by FOne, and I am so stoked for the chance to compare these two versions. so stoked!

[@marcoremia5602]

HI!! Many thanks for your tests and explanations very technical as always.

[@OCEANBOUND1]

Dude, thank YOU for watching. I wish you an awesome weekend!

[@steveca96]

CWC 6m V3 has bagged out too, as has Strike V3 4m. Performance change has been more comfortable, or maybe I adjusted.

[@OCEANBOUND1]

Yeah totally agree! My 5.5m is def feeling bagged out, but still better than my v2 was after a year. I was just saying to someone else, I may pick up a Swing to hold me over till new things get released next season.

[@secondlife7976]

I’m current owner of CWC v3 8m and tomorrow new North Loft pro 8m should arrive :) interesting to compare, from Mac kiteboarding it seems like this is the new king of Light wind :) money = features

[@youdigsurf]

hope you post back your feedback =)

[@secondlife7976]

@@youdigsurf I can add about cwc v3 8m … I was able to ride with 20-25 knots … it’s pulling forward like a train! It’s true performance wing. My minimum conditions is 13 knots with it. I’m beginner with MA1200 and North seek v2 98 liters .My first wing was CWC v2 8m. Definitely I like more v3 and especially handles, but I want to have more low end and I don’t want to have 2 boards.

[@OCEANBOUND1]

I wanna hear about that North Loft! swing back here and let us now what you think! I wish both of you an awesome weekend!!

[@secondlife7976]

@@OCEANBOUND1 first session ✅ I’m ready to sell my CWC v3 8m 😂 don’t get me wrong, the wing is great! It has great upwind and can handle big wind easily! But compared to North Loft Pro … So my impressions: Loft pro 8m has more low aspect shape. Because of that you have almost to impossible chance to catch wing tips! It’s feels much lighter and super stable without jumping on the water!!! It remind me CWC v2 but much better! Handles is amazing!!! Yes, I’m getting more forearm fatigue, but i rather get more strength then switch to soft handles:) Loft has huge sweet spot and finally I can pump 8m without worrying to catch the wing tips. I was able to handle upwind, but cwc v3 has more angle I think , but that was not an issue at all. Wing feels stiff in your hands and you feel pressure in canopy much earlier compared to cwc. Top handle I can compare to cwc v3 but softer, I think because of this amazing stability you can surf with it:) session conditions mostly 10-11 knots with gusts to 13-14 knots. Definitely it feels much more lighter then cwc. I think if we speaking about pricing and product by itself, this is great money = features product, with new materials DEVELOPED BY NORTH and of course hard carbon handles :) I don’t think that something can be better except maybe Allula Duotone vent is, but it’s out of my budget 😅 and why to pay more? I’m selling my CWC v3 8m for 1100$ I have about 10 sessions + on it, please let me know if you know who might be interested 😅

[@allenshorter]

Not having ridden the new V3, but having consumed a bunch of reviews online, I think your review is very fair, balanced, and informative. The CWC 7M V2 has been my only wing I used this summer (probably last 15-20 sessions straight have been on it). I have 4 other wings, but it is my best light wind wing and that is what I like it for. This is my only wing I'll consider in 9-15 knots. For being really big, it rides high and the wingtips seem to just stay out of the water for me. It is also light, and when the wind drops and I am holding this thing up high above me waiting for wind...the weight really matters a lot to me. My experience with the V2 had me set to replace my Cabhrina's (Crosswing X2 5M/Croswing X3 4.5M & 6M/Mantis V1 4M) with newer Strike's, but with the added weight and less low wind grunt, I think I am going to start exploring other brands and downwind boards for next summer and find something in the 5-6M range for days over 15kt.

[@OCEANBOUND1]

sup bud! I did try to be fair, it's nice when you compare x2 different wings from the same company... you can't make one company look better than the other, lol. I'm pretty much on the same course as you. getting a big wing this year to hold me over, but hopefully get better at and transition to a DW board in the next 6 months and by the time new wings come out next spring, I'll have a better idea about what I like. if you haven't tried a Ventis, look for one of those. the 7m Ventis is like a cross between v2 and v3 Strikes with handles, and that long front handle is SUPER nice. thanks bud and I wish you an awesome weekend!

[@solentfoiler5969]

It's about the journey, not the destination, right?!? 😅 It sounds like the v2 is giving you what you need, so you can sit tight for a while and keep the $$$ in your pocket until you know what the next step is. The DW boards change the game for getting up on foil, but if you like riding well powered, the board isn't going to change that. Look forward to your next one! 🤙

[@OCEANBOUND1]

YES. well put bud... it's really hard for me, who loves riding powered, to jump into DW boards. it's gonna happen. it's just a big decision that has a lot of different variables. so I'm kinda screwed, but trying to figure out the path that works the best for what I wanna do. fingers crossed I figure this out in teh next few weeks. I have a little time cause I totaled my car recently and getting a new one has priority over dw boards. if only there were more canals around here... I hope all is well bud and I wish you an awesome weekend!

[@snowpigpow]

Just get a long skinny board Dilemma solved

[@claykarmel4730]

I have 6, 7 (two of them) and 8m CRC V2's (the whole family wings). V2 has much more dihedral, V3 is much flatter (in both dimensions). The result is that 8m V3 has less 'grunt' than a 7m V2. As my board pumping has gotten better, I find I prefer to use a 7m CRC V2 in light air (the tip drags less than the 8m). I'm 6', 215 lbs in San Diego so I need some grunt. "Strike 3" is a strange branding choice, but yeah, that's what I think of it. I motored past my friend who was using the V3 when we were both in 'taxi' mode, and I got up onto foil before him (doesn't ever happen). We switched sails and the V3 was dreadful in really light air. It probably is faster, the handles are nicer, and maybe it's more durable, but when the wind picks up, I won't be on an 8m, so what's the point? Maybe it's tuned for racing? For people who never come off foil? The CRC V2 has dominated the San Diego wing community, but V3 probably won't. North Nova seems like the new go-to, but I don't have one. Yet.

[@OCEANBOUND1]

awesome bud! it's funny, I never noticed the "strike 3" thing, I dunno why. but I just chuckled. and it's weird for the CWCs, cause there actually wasn't really a v2. I'm not sure who they were trying to cater to with this new CWC Strike. it's like they went for radical changes with the smaller versions to give them more high performance, as the whole industry seems to be shifting to flatter designs, but just assumed that they should extend those design choices to the CWCs but it seems to have killed what most people love about them. the flatter design certainly is a total pain in light winds with teh wingtip drag. I haven't done the math yet on additional weight, but the new canopy material and the diffuser alone seems to be enough to make a big difference on how it drifts. my guess is they are catering to people who like to have more power in their hands but have not had performance. but maybe they were not catering to anyone and just trying new materials. it sucks to think they killed people's opinions on the CWC, but it seems like more people are moving on than not. I'm really wondering about that Nova. I hope we get some around here at some point but not many (or any?) North wings in these parts. thanks for the comment bud and I wish you and your San Diego crew an awesome weekend!

[@larrycollar1322]

Thanks for the work Jeremy. If I could tolerate soft handles vs. the boom I know which way I’d go after viewing your video. We rarely have too much wind where we sail so bigger wings and bigger foils are used a lot. I’m only 5’9” so I’m thinking the 8m anything might be a bit much. Making do with my 6.5m wing for now. But you have my attention.

[@OCEANBOUND1]

right on bud! the handles thing is real, everyone is gonna have their personal preferences. maybe consider a 7m Ventis? I had a 6.5 Unit and just sold it cause the Ventis is better on all levels IMO. or wait for next year, the new Units will have a longer front handle as far as I've been told. the longer handles makes one-handed powered riding possible like with a boom, but easier to pack down and whantnot. check the out ;) let me know what you think!

[@christomo]

Awesome bro im a bit late to the party this week as I always like to watch your channel on the big TV and have been away , I personally think all the effort you put in deserves it 👏. Big wings d.w boards big foils What a dilemma. I really find it hard to go bigger than the 6m at the moment and just use a bigger front foil once I'm up its so much nicer on the 6m mind as you know it's always gusty here . Loved the honest review and breakdown of your thoughts well thought out and constructive video that was very enjoyable.Well done, my man speak soon keep ripping 😊

[@OCEANBOUND1]

Sorry I leave this comment hanging! Thanks bud. It was interesting comparing these two, its like I couldnt really go wrong cause both wings were from the same company, but I wanted so bad for that v3 to be the better wing, at least that’d make the video easy. So it was interesting looking at the pros anc cons of each. I have a current plan, get a DW board this fall and never buy an 8m again. It has nothing to do with the 8m wings I’ve looked at, the industry is shifting and I’ve been drinking the look aid. I have a 7m now I’ll be able to rock this season, and as long as I can surf waves with the DW board… that should be good. But I need a new car so that’s what’s gumming up my plan. Soon. Soon. Let’s catch up on FB soon, I hope all is well with you!

[@ashleydavis614]

Sup! Been interesting watching you go through this journey - I've been on a similar one. Started with the CWC v2 8m - loved it. Then hard handles came along and I kind of fell out of love with it. Decided to use a 6.5m Duotone Unit as my big wing - and this has worked surprisingly well for all but the very lightest of light winds where I feel like I could go another 2knots lower with an 8m. Then the new 8m wings came along, tried the Ventis and the CWC 8m. I felt like the Ventis had more characteristics of the old v2 but with hard handles, a much better upwind ability and far better in tacks. The 8m CWC v3 seems to be more a higher performance orientated wing, it seems like it comes into it's own in not as light winds as the Ventis but once it's in it's window it out performs the Ventis on the high end. Which is great if you are racing it but I buy 8m for low wind capability so it seems like it's not delivering as well in the conditions where I would want it to perform. I ended up deciding not to get either and instead have aimed towards a more downwind shaped board to get me up in light winds and just continue using the Unit 6.5m.

[@OCEANBOUND1]

lol so good to hear this from you bud - it always feels better knowing we are all going through similar things! you nailed it, the v3 CWCs are higher performance, but most of us use them for light wind, which is a little diminished now. I also have a 6.5m Unit, just got the 7m Ventis, now getting rid of the 6.5 Unit. the Ventis is just better all around, and that long handle is sooooo nice. I sent the v3 CWC back yesterday, I think I'm going to get rid of my v2 8m and use the funds to offset a DW board. trying to figure out what I can sell... lol. what DW board are you looking at?

[@ashleydavis614]

@@OCEANBOUND1 our local custom board shaper(swift foiling) has come up with an interesting concept that I have had a look at - it's a 6ft by 20" 90L light wind wing board .... so it's not really a down wind board but more of a crossover board designed for just winging in very light winds. So the long narrow shape with the diamond tail but without the extra foot of length you get on the DW boards. I might spec it at 80L just to drop a little more swing weight and depth in the board so I get a better connection to the foil. I feel like board shape is now going through yet another evolution for winging - exciting to be in this sport as it is evolving so fast in wings, boards and foils.

[@fapfpv2832]

Cool reviews of the bigger wings. Imf 6ft 2 and 110kg. Ive settled at 7.5 mtr as my largest wing for now (2023 V3 Gong Super Power which i love using) , I dont think I'd like to go larger than that - getting too cumbersome. 🤟

[@OCEANBOUND1]

thanks bud! and totally! I haven't tried a Superpower lately, but they seem like cool wings. I wish Gong was a thing over here. the CWCs are my favorites in most ways, except that Ventis is pretty much the same package with handles. they feel like smaller wings, I wonder how they'd stack up to a Superpower?!?

[@fapfpv2832]

@@OCEANBOUND1 maybe one day Gong catch up with you and send some newer models to try 😁

[@pheelers1831]

Would love to hear what you think of a big wing 6-8m while riding a downwind board in light conditions. Seems to be the new craze.

[@OCEANBOUND1]

You know I’ll do it! Sourcing the board… but gotta get a new car first or my wife will kill me. Hopefully soon!

[@michaels7573]

This is a little off topic but I tried the Strike V3 vs Swing V3, both 5.0 meters. Coming from a quiver of Strike V2s, I didn't like the V3 as much...too much power (I like riding barely powered and just riding swell/waves) and it required a lot more attention (for example catching wing tips while pumping and flipping the wing in light onshore waves was no joy). I loved the Swing V3. Super light, super intuitive, very compact. It didn't feel fast as the Strike but I don't care too much about speed but it felt really easy and natural compared to the "high performance" Strike V3. The Swing felt like a light bar pressure wave kite compared to a grunty kite or wing. I understand why F-ONE went where they did with the Strike V3 but if they hadn't introduced the new Swing V3, I would have jumped to another brand and said byebye to the Strike V3.

[@OCEANBOUND1]

Right on bud! I agree with all your observations. I love the new Strike, but after 2 sessions on the Swing I was stoked and kinda looking to pick one up for the winter. My Strike is already getting pretty blown out and I don’t think I can make my a full year on it, so if I can get a Swing, I’ll have backup and redundancy, but then I have a dedicated wave wing and a dedicated flatwater wing.

[@rocketmarket684]

So I'm in the thick of the swing v strike dilemma, just lost my 6m cwc in a freak freeway accident...think I'm gonna replace it with either a strike of a swing 5.5 V3, tell me which way to go Jeremy! I also have a line on the new Armstrong wing, maybe a 5.3? You been on those yet?@@OCEANBOUND1

[@windski2]

So what’s the size wing you enjoy most “All Around “? What are the 2 wing sizes to have in your quiver?

[@559danh]

Always depends on average winds of your personal local spot, individual size, equipment, and experience. Luckily my son and I do this together, so we require a 4-5 wing quiver

[@OCEANBOUND1]

Yeah always depends. I have only used my 5.5m this season, I haven’t even opened my 4.5m. It will be used this fall, but the 5.5m is my daily driver. And if you have lighter winds. Maybe consider a 7m or 8m on top of that? If you tend to get heavier winds, I’d suggest a 5.5m and a 4m or 4.5m. I have a v1 3.5m that I use for days it’s blowing consistently over like 43mph. I can still use my 4.5m over that, I start using that when it’s closer to 30mph.

[@user-yz3cl7gq2i]

been waiting eagerly to hear how it compares to ventis and vision as series finale, why no comparison? how would you rank them in light wind, and how each handles when wind picks up?

[@OCEANBOUND1]

sup bud! I have loved to do this, but I couldn't get my hands on a 8m Ventis, and it's not really fair to compare a 7m and an 8m. I sadly had to send the 8m CWC back yesterday, so that's it. but spoiler alert... I will be riding a 7m Ventis a lot this fall. the Ventis is basically a CWC, kinda in-between a v2 and v3, but with handles. I've ridden the Ventis and the v3 CWCs in races recently, both did really well, but the Ventis felt a little better. however it was a meter smaller.

[@user-yz3cl7gq2i]

@@OCEANBOUND1 thanks man. Yeah agreed it wouldn’t be a fair comparison. I also believe I’ll be moving from my V2 cwc to ventis just wanted to clarify few things before I pull the trigger. Just like responsive direct feeling of hard handles. Your videos were most helpful

[@Royce_Clark]

Have you tried using the Army downwind board in light conditions? You should be able to get going in lighter winds with a smaller wing? With big wings you can become quickly overpowered.

[@OCEANBOUND1]

Sup bud! I have not tried an Armie board! We cannot get them locally, I have one friend that has a big one I could try, but I’m eyeing the 107L. So hopefully soon, if all goes well the smaller wing should be enough to get me up. I don’t mind big wings, as long as I don’t have a huge foil. If your foil can go fast, the overpowered in your hands transfers to SPEED. 😜👍 and big jumps. So I tend to ride bigger wings than most do anyway. It’ll be cool to see what shifts when I go DW. 🤞

[@youdigsurf]

ride what you like , my wallet doesnt agree 🤣

[@OCEANBOUND1]

LOL HARD TRUTH HERE.