Wing Foiling | How to Correctly Downsize to Your Next Wing Board

Jeff and Ryan from MACkiteboarding.com discuss transitioning from a beginner wing foil board to the next level. They emphasize finding a versatile "daily driver" board after selling a beginner board of around 120 liters. They consider factors like board length, width, volume, and whether one needs multiple boards for different wind conditions. The conversation centers on finding a board that provides the most value and longevity, avoiding the need to buy multiple boards.
They note that many customers want to downsize as quickly as possible, chasing the notion that smaller boards are inherently better. Jeff and Ryan have experience with various board sizes and suggest a gradual downsizing process based on skill and conditions. They mention two example boards: a 65-liter board suitable for riders around 175-185 pounds in 15 knots or over and a downwind SUP board for light wind winging.
For someone moving from a 120-liter board, they recommend a 90-liter board as a sensible next step, offering a balance of buoyancy and performance. This size is suitable for various conditions and can be a long-term choice without needing to downsize further. They advise against immediately jumping to very small boards (like 60 liters) unless the rider is very skilled and often in powered conditions.
Jeff and Ryan highlight the importance of matching the board size to one's skill level, weight, and local wind conditions. They suggest that for their weight range (165-200 pounds), an 80-90 liter board is versatile for most conditions. They conclude that most riders end up preferring boards in the 65-90 liter range, as extremely small boards can be limiting and require more effort to ride. The technology in board design is evolving towards longer and narrower shapes, which should be considered when choosing a mid-range board.
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[@janakay7641]

Nice video! For the ladies out there, I’m 50 kg weight and went from 90L to 75L to 58L and now 44L which is my semi-sinker. Been winging almost 2 years now. I found that dropping 15L or so was manageable as far as stability when kneeling to start etc. I definitely didn’t go lower than my body weight until ! was riding consistently, not falling much because the semi-sinker is challenging in choppy conditions. And when i did drop down to 44L I put my bigger front wing on to help get up. (About 1000) Haven’t entered the DW game yet but I suspect something around 50-60L would be good for me. Keep going! It’s all about time on the water!

[@kit3cut]

I started on a 135 liter with 85 kg. After a month I switched to a 105 liter. after 3 months then to 90 liters. The switch to the 90 liter was too early. The 90 liter is great when there is a lot of wind. But when the wind dies down it becomes really difficult to balance on it and makes life difficult. Now I have a 120 liter DW board for light wind days. Greetings from old Germany

[@larsdegroot]

Thanks guys. Started on a 140L. 2 sessions. Then a 117L, then a 98L. Now I'm on a 78L. Which is my sweetspot with 80KG. All the boards within one year😂

[@jamalschott5547]

Great video - thanks for the intel!

[@lewiss66]

Best channel worlwide so far! Keep up with the good pace!

[@MACkiteboarding]

Thanks! Appreciate your kind words.

[@Highrocker1298]

Thanks! Really useful and practical tips for the next step. I really like your conservative approach and managing expectations based on the foiler's current skill level. I will be following your advice and grabbing a 90-100L as the next move from my current 115L board. I'll be keeping my big board though, there's just too many days when it's too cold to fall in. That big board is ultra stable. Keep the great content coming! Note: It's just odd that you showed the boards that are not recommended for most progressing foilers. Ha!

[@fluiditynz]

For speed you can't beat a thin high aspect foil that can handle your weight with the local wind. My new favorite is 900mm span 1020 area, my own design, additional tapering of thickness. Love it. I'm 117kg, flying a wind wing 2.8m to 6m. Still some wing design tricks for manufacturers to work on. Many have part of the solution!

[@allenshorter]

I went from a 110L to a 90L and found that tough. Not impossible, but I was burying the nose a lot when trying to pump up on foil. I recently purchased a Naish Downwind 105L and I LOVE it. It is 2lbs lighter than my 90 liter, which has made a huge difference for me in controling the board while on foil. I really like riding that Naish DW board in as low as 8-11kts with my 7M and 1500-1600 sqcm foil. I also feel more confindent in being able to slog back to shore (or even paddle) if the wind dies. I think I would only use my 90 now in big wind and super choppy days, but honestly the 90L bobs around like crazy and I might just go to a 70L at some point for the days it is choppy and over 18kts. With the longer downwind shape it is less stable side to side, but I NEVER bury the nose when pumping up switch. It slogs 1MPH faster than my 90L. The Naish DW 105 is a wider DW board than most of what you find out there, but if I would have bought that as my second board, I probably would have never fooled with wasting $ on my 90L and just gone to a 70L that can be a bit below the chop when I am getting on it instead of bobbing around everywhere. Maybe most do not live where it is as choppy every time there is wind, but for me the Naish DW was a game changer and I love the 105 much more than the 90L I have.

[@raghuram2815]

Thank you, Allen for the details. Would you mind sharing how much you weigh and whether 110L was your first board you learnt on?

[@allenshorter]

I am 75 Kilos. The 110L was a great board for me to learn on. 120 would have been great too. You will probably have that board for 40-60 days on the water before you want something else...so if you can, buy it used and don't worry if it is cheap and banged up. @@raghuram2815

[@allenshorter]

75KG My first board was the 110, but it did not work with my foil very well. Tracks would not go far enough forward for the Armstrong foils.@@raghuram2815

[@andrewjamez]

Lessons on 130, bought 112l for a season then bought a 75l. Big change but adapting quickly but still a floater (just) at 145lb

[@benjaminburns356]

Great video as always. 2024 has been a great year for downwind boards for winging from alot of manufacturers. Now theres more range do you have any advice on picking a downwind board for lightwind winging? Volume (relative to weight), length, width. Whats the magic formula? And what do you pair the board with for the foil and wing in say 12 knots. Your vid from 9 months ago is great, where are your opinions now?

[@MACkiteboarding]

There isn't a magic bullet answer but it depends on your skills, model, foil quiver, wing quiver, and local conditions. For us ranging 80-95kg, our favorites hover from 85-100L and average around 95L and 19" wide. Feel free to chat or call for a personal suggestion -Tucker

[@wsurfn]

So, equal to slightly larger than your Kg weight in liters? For 110kg, already upgraded the foil, nailing all his jibes and still learning tacks on a 125l/5'8" SkyWing?

[@peterheirmanster]

they are advising too big boards. The more volume the harder it is to get through the shore break and rolling waves as the waves pull the board more. 65 years, 68kg, 67liter board - on holiday: Gong Hipe 4'11 70liters (which is to be compared with 60liters hard board)

[@MACkiteboarding]

It will change per rider but what we are suggesting is a longer board with lower volume and narrower waist. I'm 200lbs and my favorite is a 5'4x20.5" 60L. However, I wouldn't start a new rider on that. -Tucker

[@Patrick-vq4qz]

What about the front foil size? How correlates this?

[@gerritraupach9059]

Hi from Germany, so you recommend 5-10 liter more then Kilograms for a rider who jibes stable? Regards, Gerrit

[@bjornalm9950]

Great video. How heavy are you guys?

[@MACkiteboarding]

Jeff is about 165lbs, Ryan is 180lbs, and Tucker is 200lbs

[@user-xl5wh2xt1d]

Jeff is Dale Gribble from King of the Hill! bahaha

[@MACkiteboarding]

Oh, damn! 🤣🤣🤣

[@HADDEN67]

It’s better to get a lighter than a smaller board. I’m using 85 litres 4.05 kg.

[@MACkiteboarding]

100% Nose foil is huge too so it swings through the wind clean.

[@scottbrechbiel2889]

@76kg started at 125L then got a 70L within 30days. Loved it! Just not having to lug that 125L board around anymore. Also tried the 34L 2 weeks after using the 70 and was able to get up but required a steady 15+ knots. Still have yet to try and tack. 70L and 21.5” x 5’2” is perfect right now

[@scottbrechbiel2889]

Also those 30 days were riding every day in perfect conditions for 2-3 hours. Paracuru, Brazil recommended for anyone who wants to learn

[@fabianmatas1286]

Nice video!!! What about 95kg rider, what Will be the Next step, a 110? A 95?

[@MACkiteboarding]

What is your ability, normal conditions? Feel free to reach out and chat messenger.providesupport.com/messenger/mackite.html

[@AKJammer1]

@@MACkiteboardingAfter the chat, put some those options on here too. I’m also 95kg and just starting. I’ve no ego. 65 y/o and just want to ride.

[@Stanton_High]

75l from noob to pro.