I have the SS Wizard 125 and it's a great board and so much fun with either the 84 or 76 front wings sailing from 12-20+ knots. I have found that sails larger than 6.5 is cumbersome since there is so little front end volume. Its rated 5.0-6.5
At lighter winds trying to use a 7.8 sail or so does not work that well. The board will carry it (i am at 84 kg) but pumping is difficult. Wondering on feedback on anyone that used one of the Levitator's. I have been foiling for about a year so I'm not a newbie just looking at extending sailable days.
I've got a Levitator 150 with Infinity 76 foil. The largest sail I use is a 5.4, so can't really help you too much. My guess is that larger sails would be no problem at all. The boom length on my sails are so short that I have the board set up with mast base right back, and foot strap right forward, just so I can get close enough to the mast for a comfortable upwind stance. I reckon a larger sail would suit the board better, and pumping wouldn't be a problem.
I have used a 7.8 on the 125 with no issues. Only tried it as I didn't feel like rigging another sail but gybing, tacking etc was all ok.
Hi Foilnut
Good tips from the posts above.
Don't focus 100% on the printed numbers of suggestions for sail sizes on the boards.
The 2020 Wizard 125L (exactly the same as 2019), is now rated to 7.5 by the way.
So I guess the guys realized after more testing etc, that 7.5 would be no problem as well. (as I think the 2019 was rated to 6.5, - like you said)
It will be very very minor, that you could extend the low end foiling from Wizard 125 to Levitator 150, if you don't want to use bigger than 7.5.
From my testing and comparison of getting going / up on the foil, then the 125L seamed easier (with a 5.9), compared to a bigger board.
With the right skills.
I think up to 7.5 on the Wizard (like mentioned above), should be all good. Saying this there might be some difference to gain in a no cam sail to a full 4 cam race sail. The no cam can deliver a lighter but more powerfull feeling, and easier to pump, compared to a more rigid open leech race sail. Anyway both sail options can work great though, but just have in mind that the race sail might require a touch bigger size compared to deliver the same power as a no cam.
If you for some reason thought about bigger rigs from 7.5 to 10.0, then the Levitator, would be better for sure.
We got a good group here and mostly uses 5.9 wave sails as the biggest, and it takes us down to 10 knots. (82-86kg riders).
Using Wizard 125 / 105L
Note that we go for quite powerfull sails, that pumps really well, and even sail them with a little less downhaul to 'close the leech a bit'for maximum power. Wave sails to freeride. RDM masts
I'm also using wave sails. I've got Gaastra Poison 5 batten, and Maui Epic 3 batten. I think I'm leaning towards the 3 batten being the better light wind performer. I find when rigging the Gaastra with less downhaul I can't get enough shape. What are you guys using typically?
Hi - I have the Levitator 160L and I have used it with anything from 5.4 to 7.3 but I mostly use my f_type 6.8 which I can pump up on foil in 10 knots. I'm 197 Lbs. I have used both the SS 76 and the 84 wing. I like the board a lot and it's super comfortable. I plan on trying my e_type 8.2 but I haven't had a chance yet.
I'm thinking of getting the wizard 125 for days where we have waves/chop and where I'm using a sail smaller then my f_type 6.8 workhorse. The Levitator can feel a little long in those conditions.
Happy to answer other questions about the Levitator :-)
What is the weight of Levitator 150 and 160? Did anyone compared its performance against JP foil board?
Select to expand quoteSALKAN said..
What is the weight of Levitator 150 and 160? Did anyone compared its performance against JP foil board?
My 160 came in around 20 lb. without straps. It actually has a carbon skin. I know because I repaired the nose after cracking it after a particularly vicious catapult. If you get a 160 just not that the board is long enough for the mast to hit the nose so get some protection like a nose pad and maybe an Ion mast pad too, esp if you are just learning to foil.
Thanks for the information. I have been using an old starboard F-type and foiling with slingshot Infinity 84, going for 100 m without touching the water. I am wondering if levitator would be a more stable platform to make a better progress. BY the way, Surfbent nose protector may be a good idea rather than nose pads that may alter the surface wind flow.
link www.windfoilzone.com/product-page/surfbent-wbp
Select to expand quoteSALKAN said..
Thanks for the information. I have been using an old starboard F-type and foiling with slingshot Infinity 84, going for 100 m without touching the water. I am wondering if levitator would be a more stable platform to make a better progress. BY the way, Surfbent nose protector may be a good idea rather than nose pads that may alter the surface wind flow.
link www.windfoilzone.com/product-page/surfbent-wbp
I've never foiled on another board so I can't offer a comparison. But, this is a floaty board which is nice for what I need, and it has lots of volume aft which is what you want for foil. It's pretty wide at 85cm so very stable for uphauling. The deck surface is very flat. It's wide enough to put some decent leverage on the foil upwind. I actually find myself wanting to put my back foot over the rail but the outboard strap position is not that far outboard. I can see why some folks really like wide foil boards (Ezzy uses a custom board 140l, 193L x 95 wide). I think I would want something similar but with extra volume.
Some folks use the Surfbent. Hasn't stopped them from damaging their board though. I guess nothing is fullproof.
I've been contemplating the Levitator 160 for myself too. I like my Fanatic Falcon light wind, but ifrom what I've read, the SS 99 front wing is only useable on the Levitator boards. I am wondering if that's really true. I, like many of you, am hoping to get out an foil in 10mph or even less if possible. I desperately need this kind of fun in my life. Been through some rough years, and this is something I feel will help me out mentally and physically.
I am 6'4" tall and about 225
Current sails are 8.0 Ezzy Cheetah, 7.0 Sailworks Flyer and Monday my Flyer 6.0 is scheduled to be delivered.
Would love to be able to use the 8.0 on the Levitator board with the 99 front wing in 10MPH.
Select to expand quoteexcav8ter said..
... from what I've read, the SS 99 front wing is only useable on the Levitator boards. I am wondering if that's really true.
The i84 moves the "center of push" backwards, so it requires the "C" mast position while the i76 uses the "B". I bet the 99 move it even further back, so it would require a "D" position, which does not exist. So the 99 probably won't work with other Slingshot boards like the Wizard. The Levitator has tracks which allow you to move the foil forward.
If that logic is correct, then the SS 99 would work in other boards that are wide enough that also have tracks that allow moving the mast forward. Boards with a foil box that is far enough forward may also work, but it seems many (most?) foil boards and other wide boards have the box very far to the back, and therefore would not work. That is, unless you add holes to the fuselage which create "D" positions, as some have described in another thread.
I'll have to add another hole to my fuselage today to use the i84 with my Fanatic Skate. I replaced the powerbox with a foil box, but ignored a few important things. I had tested the board for foil use with a PowerPlate, but forgot that the Powerplate moves the mast forward quite a bit. When I tried the new foil box yesterday, it needed lots of wind to fly. Hopefully, moving the mast back by 5 cm will improve things.
Makes sense to me. I guess I will be looking at a Levitator 160 then. At 7 feet long, it will fit even better in the back of my pickup truck than my Falcon light wind does now at 7'6".
FWIW, I use the 76 and 84 on the Levi 160, both in the "B" position but in slightly different locations in the track. I calibrate my mast track and UJ so that I can replicate settings easily. Generally, I put my 84 on "6" and the 76 on "3" using my scale (see pic). The numbers align with the leading edge of the mast. This positions the front foil about in the middle of my straps so that my feet have even pressure while sailing. Small adjustments DO make a difference. It was light to start last night so I used my 84 at "7" which was good for getting on foil sooner. I moved my UJ back to about "3" (see pic) which also helped initially. However, when the wind built I found that having the foil fwd and UJ back made for a very twitchy ride - small differences in my weight and sail trim made larger differences in the trim of the board. I was using my Ezzy Hydra 7.0. Winds were about 12-14 knots at most having picked up from 8-10 (no white caps and really no dark water)I'm 200 lbs and I can pump onto foil with this combo in 10 knots no problem. Personally, I think the 99 is not necessary even at 225. The problem with the 84 is that it tops out around 18 mph. Try pushing it harder and the flow separates and you come crashing down. The 84 is so forgiving that beyond a sudden breech this is the only think that causes you to crash hard. Otherwise, it just gurgles a bit when it gets close to the surface which you can easily correct for before you crash it. The 99 will have even a lower maximum speed and I'm not really sure that would be beneficial. I would've been better off last night on the 76 when the wind was over 12 knots.
Select to expand quoteFast505 said..
FWIW, I use the 76 and 84 on the Levi 160, both in the "B" position but in slightly different locations in the track. I calibrate my mast track and UJ so that I can replicate settings easily. Generally, I put my 84 on "6" and the 76 on "3" using my scale (see pic). The numbers align with the leading edge of the mast. This positions the front foil about in the middle of my straps so that my feet have even pressure while sailing. Small adjustments DO make a difference. It was light to start last night so I used my 84 at "7" which was good for getting on foil sooner. I moved my UJ back to about "3" (see pic) which also helped initially. However, when the wind built I found that having the foil fwd and UJ back made for a very twitchy ride - small differences in my weight and sail trim made larger differences in the trim of the board. I was using my Ezzy Hydra 7.0. Winds were about 12-14 knots at most having picked up from 8-10 (no white caps and really no dark water)I'm 200 lbs and I can pump onto foil with this combo in 10 knots no problem. Personally, I think the 99 is not necessary even at 225. The problem with the 84 is that it tops out around 18 mph. Try pushing it harder and the flow separates and you come crashing down. The 84 is so forgiving that beyond a sudden breech this is the only think that causes you to crash hard. Otherwise, it just gurgles a bit when it gets close to the surface which you can easily correct for before you crash it. The 99 will have even a lower maximum speed and I'm not really sure that would be beneficial. I would've been better off last night on the 76 when the wind was over 12 knots.
I was able to get an hour or so on the foil last night. Used my 7.0 Flyer and the i84 again. Had some really fun runs. Sustained flight is SOOOO fun. I felt a bit overpowered in a few of the gusts, but was able to fly longer than I thought I would be able to in the lighter stuff. I imagine that I will be able to maintain flight in lighter winds as I get better. I was in a small bay and the wind was kind of gusty. I think I could have ventured downwind a bit and had more consistent wind, but I was afraid of it dying off on me, which it did after an hour and 15 minutes or so. The last 200 yards was a slog... so glad I have the volume of the Fanatic Falcon LW. It really seems to be a great board.
I am going to chat with my local wind Sports shop about the Levitator 160 and the i99 wing this morning.
I second Fast505's claim about the 84 wing. I wonder if the 99 wing will come up even earlier and I'm looking forward to hearing about it. Wouldn't mind going foiling in 8 knots of wind.
I would be interested in knowing what the top speed is for the 99. I have been at 16.5 knts on the 84 but average fast speed on the 84 is around 14.5 or so.
Select to expand quoteFoiler69er said..
I second Fast505's claim about the 84 wing. I wonder if the 99 wing will come up even earlier and I'm looking forward to hearing about it. Wouldn't mind going foiling in 8 knots of wind.
I would be interested in knowing what the top speed is for the 99. I have been at 16.5 knts on the 84 but average fast speed on the 84 is around 14.5 or so.
As long as I can foil in sub 12 mph wind, I'm good with whatever speed the 99 would provide, because it will still feel like flying, and I am the only person in my area who is doing this.
I just purchased my Slingshot levitator and I was looking for information on the installation of the Slingshot Hover Glide pedestal (foil mount). I found the following information that is applicable to Levitator and wanted to share, if others read this forum on Levitator.
Select to expand quoteexcav8ter said..
Which Levitator board did you buy Salkan?
I bought 160 lt Levitator Slingshot to use with 84 and 76 infinity wings with 48 rear wing and 90 cm mast. I am 225 lbs and trying to maximize low wind days (10-14 mph). My sail is 7 m Sailworks Flyer foil sail. I have been using Starboard free formula for the 84 Infinity foil but at times I found the board wobbling despite lately I am able sustain levitation for 60-100 yards. I am hoping I will make a better progress on foil dedicated board and I will not need my formula boards and large 10-11 m sails.
Select to expand quoteSALKAN said..excav8ter said..
Which Levitator board did you buy Salkan?
I bought 160 lt Levitator Slingshot to use with 84 and 76 infinity wings with 48 rear wing and 90 cm mast. I am 225 lbs and trying to maximize low wind days (10-14 mph). My sail is 7 m Sailworks Flyer foil sail. I have been using Starboard free formula for the 84 Infinity foil but at times I found the board wobbling despite lately I am able sustain levitation for 60-100 yards. I am hoping I will make a better progress on foil dedicated board and I will not need my formula boards and large 10-11 m sails.
Nice! I am currently on a Fanatic Falcon Light wind. Foil is a Slingshot with the i84 and the 68cm (Gamma?), and I plan to try the i99 front wing this weekend. I just picked up the 48cm rear wing last night. My current sails are an Ezzy Cheetah 8.0, and two Sailworks Flyers.... 7.0 and 6.0. We weigh the same, and seem to be after the same thing... light wind foiling. I am hoping that my local shop is making work of getting the Levitator 160 in for me to demo.
What are your thoughts on the i99 wing?
excav8ter said..What are your thoughts on the i99 wing?
I followed some of the discussions regarding i99 but have no idea if that will improve your low end wind foiling. I will wait to hear from you. BTW, it seems that Sailworks Flyer 7.0 should be good for 12-14 mph conditions based on earlier discussions by others. Did you notice a difference in between Ezzy Cheetah 8.0, and t Sailworks Flyer 7.0 for low wind foiling?
The Ezzy worked ok. I have only had it out one time prior, and that was straight up windsurfing, no foil. I was in very light wind, so it wasn't a fair test of the sail.
It seemed to pull well, but I was in a big hurry to get out as I was afraid the wind would die.
Here's hoping that I get some wind to try the 99 out this weekend.
I also just ordered the Levitator 160.
Welcome in the Levitator club :-)
I can't wait to hear about your experience with the 99 wing!
Select to expand quoteFoiler69er said..
Welcome in the Levitator club :-)
I can't wait to hear about your experience with the 99 wing!
Haven't had a chance to try the i99 yet. Hopefully in the next couple of days. Wind forecast is looking good for Tuesday as of now.
The Levitator should be here by the end of the week.... or sooner.
I'm anxious to see how much different it is from the Fanatic Falcon LW I have been using.
Select to expand quoteFoiler69er said..
Welcome in the Levitator club :-)
I can't wait to hear about your experience with the 99 wing!
I managed to get the i99 out this past Saturday. 8-12mph breeze. Used my Ezzy Cheetah 8.0 on my Fanatic Falcon LW. (I had hoped to use my new Levitator, but I had just picked it up and hadn't figured out where I wanted to put the front foot straps.) I had to slog out about 200 yards to get into cleaner wind. When I did I could feel the i99 wanting to lift very quickly. A couple of poor attempts at pumping and some rear foot pressure, and I was up on foil. The foil felt super stable! Seemed like I was getting pretty good speed, but I don't know how fast I was foiling. Mind you I am very new to wind foiling and this was my 5th time out in 3 weeks. As stable as the 99 was, I felt like it turned really easy both upwind and down. I don't do any high speed turns, but turning downwind and upwind with foot pressure was a piece of cake! I need to find my Garmin Vivoactive 3 to start tracking some speed, distance and mapping my tracks.
I was also using the 48cm rear wing.
Me: 225lbs 6'4" and turning 51 soon.
Could you comment about your foil/mast and sail/mast positions in terms of cm or inch measurements on the levitator set-up? I was on 160 Levitator with 7 m Sailwork Flyer on 10 mph wind but could not get the board levitate.
Select to expand quoteSALKAN said..
I was on 160 Levitator with 7 m Sailwork Flyer on 10 mph wind but could not get the board levitate.
Your 84 wing, 7m and 160 should be fine, but give yourself time to develop a feel and become efficient - as important as having the right gear.
We use Wizard 105s, Infinity 76 and 5.9 wavesail in 10 knots - but it took quite a few sessions to learn to fly consistently in such light wind. Learn to use tiny swell to help launch.
Just like foil gybing - you have to put the time in. But that's part of the fun and challenge
Select to expand quoteSALKAN said..
Could you comment about your foil/mast and sail/mast positions in terms of cm or inch measurements on the levitator set-up? I was on 160 Levitator with 7 m Sailwork Flyer on 10 mph wind but could not get the board levitate.
I haven't had the Levitator on the water yet. Should be getting out tonight though.
Select to expand quoteazymuth said..
Learn to use tiny swell to help launch.
A very interesting aspect of learning to foil! On the slapper, Im decent at using swell from behind to get going. On the i84, it's a different story. I can get going halfway well when going against the swell, but have a harder time coming back in. When going down the swell, the foil is often pushed down, even when the board accelerates. Then when the a wave overtakes me, the board suddenly gets pushed up a lot. Confused me mightily for a few sessions, but I'm now starting to get an idea what is going on. Still have to figure out how to use it to get going with swell coming at an angle from behind. It differs quite a bit with wind and swell directions - some days it just works, other days when the angles changed a bit it's hard. The way the i84 "feels" what's going on under water can be fun, once you get over the initial "o **" reaction .
Did anyone's Levitator come with any markings on the foil track, or the sail mast track for easy set up, or remembering what setting works with which front wing? I was told there may be such markings on some Levitators.
