www.f4foils.com/product-category/wing/gp-series/
Front wings 580 760 815 1000 1200 1450
Rear wings 150 170 200 220
Masts: 95HM Solid, 75 85 95 HM Foam Core
These are good! I've been riding the 1000 and 760 fronts for a week and a half - 3 sessions on 760 and 2 on the 1000 so far (all with 170 rear and solid core mast). I was previously riding ART wings and these are faster and more stable. The stiffness and stability also makes them more forgiving than the ART wings, even though they're similarly high aspect. They don't have a tendency to stall and drop on takeoff if the speed is not quite enough as an example (not to the same extent anyway).
I also like the connections, they are solid with no play which really helps the overall feel when on the water. Not having to deal with tefgel is great since it's all carbon and no alloy.
If anyone in Sydney is interested in having a look or more info then message me, I'm not a dealer and paid for foil but I know these have just been released and there's not too much around yet.
If I was in market for new foil, I'd definitely be checking these out. They had me sold with the fittings based on Japanese woodworking.
TFS,
At which wind strenght and with which equipment you were riding the 760?
The 760 needs 2-3 knots more than the 1000 for me. All my sessions have been with 5'0 75 litre fanatic and I'm 70kg. When I've used 6m slick SLS I need 11-12 knot gusts but once up I can ride around in less until I stuff up a tack/gybe. I need closer to 15 knots on the 4m. In relatives I'd say I got up in similar windspeed on the axis 899, but the 760 is faster, glides better and therefore easier to stay up once going.
$1250 for a full setup including an aluminum mast and 800 or 1400 more for carbon or solid carbon masts. Pretty solid pricing.
These guys are doing it right. Their smallest race wing looks to be 13.8 AR, that's what I'm talking about! Smooth connections. I'd be on this if I was buying new for sure.
Thanks TSF. That conforts me.
I have ordered a 1000 and 760 with in mind that I could use the 760 from a 14-15 knots using my Strike 5,5 (I am 80 kg).
From some videos I have the impression that the 1000 besides a larger span than the 760 also has a thicker profile. Is this correct?
Thanks TSF. That conforts me.
I have ordered a 1000 and 760 with in mind that I could use the 760 from a 14-15 knots using my Strike 5,5 (I am 80 kg).
From some videos I have the impression that the 1000 besides a larger span than the 760 also has a thicker profile. Is this correct?
With a decent sized (and shape) board you should be fine in 15 knots. The 1000 is not a scaled up version of the 760, it is definitely thicker profile. It's not a slow wing, but not as fast as the 760. The 1000 has a lower stall speed obviously, the few times I've used the 1000 wing it's been quite light and I haven't been chasing speed so can't comment on top end yet.
OK thanks.
For info : In a discussion with the guys from F4, Chris wrote me that the 1000 is a great alround wing but more made for gliding and pumping and that the racing wings are all under 900 now.
Just rebooting this thread. @TFS and others what sort speeds are you getting on the smaller foils? Just wondering if they would be a good race option?
I'm just coming of Axis 899. Which I could push to 24.5knots but no faster. And not that stable.
Just rebooting this thread. @TFS and others what sort speeds are you getting on the smaller foils? Just wondering if they would be a good race option?
I'm just coming of Axis 899. Which I could push to 24.5knots but no faster. And not that stable.
I can just say this. 20knts on the GP1000 with complete control: smooth riding and tons of glide.
The lower surfaces are meant to go faster. I've tried the GP850 as well but the gap with the GP1000 was not that huge. It was faster and still very stable though.
It's definitely a good setup
Looks like fone.
At least the mast to fuse connection. Not enough physical mass there into the fuse, too dependent on the bolts for strength. The tail connection is fine, won't see nearly the same loads.
Just rebooting this thread. @TFS and others what sort speeds are you getting on the smaller foils? Just wondering if they would be a good race option?
I'm just coming of Axis 899. Which I could push to 24.5knots but no faster. And not that stable.
I can just say this. 20knts on the GP1000 with complete control: smooth riding and tons of glide.
The lower surfaces are meant to go faster. I've tried the GP850 as well but the gap with the GP1000 was not that huge. It was faster and still very stable though.
It's definitely a good setup
Thanks foilaway. I know the 1000 is not meant to be fast.
I'd be really keen to hear from anyone using the 760 and smaller, and what speeds they are getting.
Hi Rod, 24.5 knots is much faster than I ever pushed my 899 and other axis ART wings before I changed to f4 GP wings late last year, the difference in control at speed is night and day. On any normal day out with the 760 the top speeds are 23-24knots, normally with the 150 tail. There is more potential here but normally when it's windier I change to the 580 or not chasing speed. The 580 is faster but if it's speed you're chasing then the 540 is probably the one to get (I haven't personally used it yet), although you will lose out a little on low end take off. If you're in Sydney there's a demo 760 going around if you want to try.
TFS thanks!
I'm going to demo the 815 and 580 in a few days.
I'm looking for something that can be used for racing and be competitive. The ARTs are not that!
Stable and fast sounds promising.
Anybody has tested the GP760 and GP815 back to back? Interested if there are noticable differences concerning take-off speed and control when pushing for maximum speed .
Surprised they don't offer the gp mast with a Tuttle version and a longer one like a 102 or 105 cm especially for racing......
I started foiling 3 years ago learning on the Naish Jet 1650. I then moved on to Armstrong which I have been using for over 2 years now. My latest wing of choice was the HA 925 with (I know it's strange) an HS232 stab (I started with the HS1250 and HA1125) with a 60cm fuse. This was just working for me in terms of balance and "ease" of use. I say "ease" because quite frankly I always found the HA to be super fidgetty and unforgiving. They require a lot of attention and are merciless if you don't pay attention.
I recently tried (and purchased) the GP1000 from F4 with their GP170 stab. My conclusion: I wished I had switched sooner. Everything is easier. It has way more glide. like glide that goes on and on and on. Perfect for where I ride which is the Bay Area (San Francisco). It has the same top speed for me: around 20kts (in 15/20kts wind with a 4.2m2 wing), but it's a lot easier to reach and comfortable to ride. Tacking and maneuvers in general are a lot easier just because you have more time. Going fast is easier because the foils is more stable. I regularly hit the 20kts mark which what hard for me on the HA925. It's way more forgiving. I can ride close to the surface and breach the tips without crashing.
All in all it's a very good foil. Mast is also very stiff. And the price of a complete setup is quite good, as many have pointed out.
This summer I also tried the Eagle 990 from f-one and I would say both the F4 GP1000 and f-one eagle 990 feel similar.
Anybody has tested the GP760 and GP815 back to back? Interested if there are noticable differences concerning take-off speed and control when pushing for maximum speed .
I've tested both back to back, but can't comment on top speed as I've only used the 815 a handful of times in average conditions and used the 760 a lot more. I'd say 815 requires a little more speed to take off and it's probably a little faster as well. Personally I prefer the 760 because I find it glides, tacks and gybes better which is better for me in often gusty places with light spots. I know others prefer 815, they're both good. I tend to pair with 150 or maybe 170, I find the bigger tails don't pair as well with the faster GP front wings.
The mast to frontwing conection looks like F one. Dose anybody know, if they are compatible?
I had a look this evening using an Fone mast from a friend. Both connections are very similar (if not identical) in shape, but in all aspects the Fone connection is a few mm smaller and the holes for the screws do not align with the ones in the plane F4.
The mast to frontwing conection looks like F one. Dose anybody know, if they are compatible?
I had a look this evening using an Fone mast from a friend. Both connections are very similar (if not identical) in shape, but in all aspects the Fone connection is a few mm smaller and the holes for the screws do not align with the ones in the plane F4.
Thanks!
I've owned the F4 (GP1000 and 760 and the HM95) and the f-one (990 and 790). The mast to fuse joint may look the same... but it's subtlety different.
The f-one joint doesnt rely solely on the fasteners. After a session on my f-ones after removing the screws, the foil is nice and tight on the mast, the foil locks on and I need to give it a gentle tap with my hand to release it - quite impressive really.
How would you compare f4 GP1000 to f-one eagle 990 and f4-760 to f-one 790. Curious also how would you compare the quality of the products of these two brands as a whole.
How would you compare f4 GP1000 to f-one eagle 990 and f4-760 to f-one 790. Curious also how would you compare the quality of the products of these two brands as a whole.
I have ridden the F4 demo kit, owned the F4 production kit and now ride the f-one. The comparison between the F4 demo (Aus) and f-one kit is quite similar. The most notable difference I found is that the f-one rides a tiny bit more front foot pressure and a little easier to get going. The 990 and 1000 compare the closest. The 760 requires you to be more powered up than the 790. I didn't own the F4 for long enough to really be able to make detailed like-for-like comparisons about roll and pitch characteristics etc. I'm 3 knots faster on the f-one than I ever was on the F4, but that's most likely just because I'm riding better now than I was 9 months ago.
I found F4 mast stiffness really great. The F4s were good to ride and they have a good selection of stabilisers. Great glide on the 1000.
I have had almost zero high speed crashes on the f-ones. I simply love riding them, they are very predictable, fast and strong. I've chopped the winglets on my 990 and 790. I find the Eagles easy to get up and going, pretty much ride the 790 exclusively now unless it's really light (I'm 92kg).
Cost comparison - the F4 is slightly cheaper but once you factor the import costs (time and money) of tax, import duty, covers etc. the cost is fairly similar.