Gday,
Has anyone had a ride of / riding the new Matador LT 2.0 (one with the interchangeable hard/soft handles). I wing to surf i.e flagged out as much as possible and my current wing (Armstrong A V2) has a really 'flat' profile that flagged out phenomenally but with age has lost significant canopy tension, has no upwind capabilities and acts more like a spinnaker.
Does the lack of the V Dihedral that seems to be the norm on other wings the reason it lacks canopy tension? Is it worth the trade-off or do I go for the V wing (ADX for its Naish counterpart) and get used to the flipping.
Also just any reviews on the Matador pros cons would be great. I haven't been able to find anything more than the description on the Naish page. Is it the same ripstop / high tensile canopy material? Does it pump alright? Low wind/high wind range?
Cheers
Stay stoked.
Had 5m Matador V1 whilst learning gybes. Felt light in hands, 'soft' handles felt firm, very good bottom end but limited top end and unstable as on/off feeling made sailing in gusty wind hard work. In constant winds and right size I imagine it would be great.I didn't ride waves at all with it so can't comment on flagging
No experience with the v2 but the v1 was HOT GARBAGE. Maybe OK for down the line flagged out but if there's any upwind flagging or tacking, etc it was a nightmare. All that flappy canopy created a ton of drag, tons of pushback and on/off. I switched to the cab mantis and it's great. So stable I can move my hands around, let go and do a quick grab re adjust on the front handle. Luffs quiet and much less drag luffing upwind in tacks and stuff.
Looking at pics of matador v2 it seems like more of the same. I mean maybe it's AMAZING for flagging going straight downwind but if your doing any kind of winging besides it's hell just in the noise of the flappy flap.
Whilst there is flap in the canopy, I don't have the same extreme opinion.
I've had my 4m Matador for a few years and my 6m LT for a year or so. Ridden them in all conditions and been able to tack and gybe without any problems - swell and flat water. Often a matter of adjusting how you handle the wing to suit the conditions.
I've also ridden the D-Lab and new Naish ADX, and sure, they are quiter but not sure I had any better sessions using them. Added to that, I can't justify paying AUD$2,500 for one wing that could be trashed by a foil on the first session.
You could buy 2 different sizes in the earlier model wings for that ( but obviously still trash it in the first session ) and still have plenty of time on the water.
I had the V2, much different animal than the V1. Still powerful but they changed the lift profile which made tacking easier. If you're mainly in the waves, it's a great flagging wing. Not a freestyle wing for average Joe's. I only sold mine as once you go handles.you just can't go back.
Select to expand quoteShlogger said..
I had the V2, much different animal than the V1. Still powerful but they changed the lift profile which made tacking easier. If you're mainly in the waves, it's a great flagging wing. Not a freestyle wing for average Joe's. I only sold mine as once you go handles.you just can't go back.
They've just released a hard handled version 
Same canopy as V2 but with hard handles.
www.kingofwatersports.com/product/naish-matador-lt-20-wing-2024/naish-matador-lt-2-wing-2024?refPage=%2Ffoil-wing%2Ffoil-wings%7EmgnlArea%3Dcontent%7E%3Fbrand%3DNaish&size=3.0
Select to expand quoteMilesH said..Shlogger said..
I had the V2, much different animal than the V1. Still powerful but they changed the lift profile which made tacking easier. If you're mainly in the waves, it's a great flagging wing. Not a freestyle wing for average Joe's. I only sold mine as once you go handles.you just can't go back.
They've just released a hard handled version Same canopy as V2 but with hard handles.
www.kingofwatersports.com/product/naish-matador-lt-20-wing-2024/naish-matador-lt-2-wing-2024?refPage=%2Ffoil-wing%2Ffoil-wings%7EmgnlArea%3Dcontent%7E%3Fbrand%3DNaish&size=3.0
I'm wing saturated right now. ;)
As a pure wave wing, the Matador 2.0 is incredible. The addition for the interchangeable handles makes it very adaptable, but I think most will just ride it with the hard handles as that is the trend. Its flagging is second to none, and still the best wave wing I've used.
Yes we are Naish.
Ride safe,
JB
