Armstrong Wing FG boards

I've ridden the "old" FG 60L at 90kg as well as the Omen Flux 60L. Unfortunately I've yet to try the newest Armstrong boards. I'm a big fan of the previous Armstrong boards but preferred the Omen 60L for its flat deck, narrow width, and efficiency getting to foil. I'm betting you can't go wrong on either brand in the 58/60L size.

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Parksie777 said..

Windoc said..
I've ridden the "old" FG 60L at 90kg as well as the Omen Flux 60L. Unfortunately I've yet to try the newest Armstrong boards. I'm a big fan of the previous Armstrong boards but preferred the Omen 60L for its flat deck, narrow width, and efficiency getting to foil. I'm betting you can't go wrong on either brand in the 58/60L size.

Thanks Windoc. Did you use Armstrong foils on the Omen Flux and if so any problems getting the mast forward enough on the foil box?

I was at 10 on the old Armstrong FG board 99l with the MA1225, and now have the Flux 84l and have the mast almost 2/3rds the way forward. I also asked Greg at Omen before i bought and he was confident that i wouldn't have any issue. Tracks have plenty of room on the 84l Flux (and I imagine they'll be the same on the 60l).

85kg friend moved form old 60 to new 58 and loves it. Said was a bit unstable to start but once up feels smaller, in a good way

Do u use the new 58l as your one board? I'm bout 87kgs, currently ride the super-seeded 75l FG as my only board. Thinking of getting the 58l as an high wind board and keeping the 75l until I'm comfortable on the 58l (maybe it's too small to get comfortable on). I find the 75l feels big and wide when it's windy.

Wing FG Board 80L Quick Review

Rider: 86Kg, intermediate
Foil: MA1000, PM865, Surf205, 70cm fuse

Coming from a 90L board was, at the same time, exciting and concerning due to sizing down below my weight.

Waterstart while kneeling took only few mins. The board sinks but it's quite stable even with waves hitting me from behind. Other reviewers noted how unstable the board is while on knees. I found it quite accessible and well balanced. Pad is comfortable on the knee and the board construction is solid. I was ready to stinkbug but there was no need.

I can foresee issues when riding this board below 12kt, both while kneeling as well as moving along off foil. It is definitely challenging if wind is not there.

Take offs are easy due to the new waterline which definitely helps tracking while gaining speed.

Where the board really shines though, is while on foil. Manouvres get easier to execute. Due to the reduced width, touching rails while tacking is a thing of the past. Foot switches are easy due to the reduced real estate which minimizes bad feet placements.

If I have to find one small issue is on the handle placement. While carrying the board with the foil it seems to me the handle could have been placed further backward to balance the board. Really minor issue. However, it wouldn't be a good review if you only focus on the positives.

Bottom line is, don't be afraid to dare. Sizing down is fine and the gain you get in easier manouvres is significant.

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Foilnut said..

Siksvan said..

patronus said..
85kg friend moved form old 60 to new 58 and loves it. Said was a bit unstable to start but once up feels smaller, in a good way

I switched from another brand 60l board to FG58l. Both are light, but FG is about 200g lighter and feeks much more durable too. FG felt more unstable sideways but after just one session I find it as easy as my old board. It also took couple session to get used to narrow shape, I mean riding with more narrow offset.

But I'm very happy with FG58. It accelerates very well and once in the air it feels like riding very small board. At 85kg I was thinking one size smaller, but now I belive this was best possible size for me. Definitely no need for anything smaller for winging.

Siksvan how are you starting the FG58?

Hmm, many ways. Stink bug, just kneeling ( more challenging) or I sit on the board and pull first one leg on the board and then try to keep wing little higher and as soon as I feel gust I pull second leg up and straight away try to get to the standing position. If I don't get standing quickly, then I try to accelerate board before I stand up. This sitting method is fairly easy with this narrow board, but it requires some flexibility.

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Oahuwaterwalker said..
Curious to hear people's low end experience with the 58L?

Does this board still work in 10-12knot conditions with a big enough wing?

I'm about 80KG - thanks

I'd say that 10-12 is the bare minimum. Board is very unstable when taxing , slogging

picked up a 58l today. Should have first session tomorrow.

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happysam said..
Following -

i am at 70kg without wet suit and ride 75L at the moment.

i am never worried that wind will die on this board but i really want the 58L fg as the length and design is appealing. This would be my biggest board tho..

Today was my first session on the 58l and at 80kg it's about as small as I want to go, but I was telling A friend today I'd bet it would be just right for someone around your size.

As someone posted above, it is not stable when slogging, but actually gets going surprisingly fast when your wing is full.

I came to the board after riding a custom Jimmy Lewis board for the last three years. That board was 4'8" and 23.5 inches wide at 69l. The stance on the Jimmy Lewis board favors the back 2/3 of the board my experience today on the 58 L was that it felt more like a skateboard or snowboard compared to the more directional field of the Jimmy Lewis. specifically, it rode best when my feet were almost balanced from nose to tail. Neither is bad. It ends up being what you're used to.

I'm still playing around with how I want the footstep set up. I'll share more thoughts after I've had a couple more sessions on it.

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BoardMaverick said..

Parksie777 said..
I am looking to change my Armstrong FG 60L. Been looking for reviews of the new Wing FG 4'8" 58L but not found any. Narrow width looks good but concerned it's on the short side compared to new style boards like the Omen Flux 5"2" 60L. Anyone ridden these boards?
Thanks

I'm about 70kg and got the 58L as my small board. I love the short length b/c it allows me to pump the board downwards before jumps without the nose touching down. As others have said above, the narrow profile helps to keep the rails out of the water when carving turns.

Curious about foot-strap placements you've tried. Im riding mine with one front strap and center back. The front strap is one insert back from furthest position forward. In this position, I find the mast works around 5.5 with the 580 and 680.

Im thinking about moving straps all the way forward and adjusting mast accordingly.

If you're using straps, have you tried this position? If not, where do you tend to position the mast?

Fun board so far, seems to get going quickly with enough wind.

Thanks