In recent months I have had the opportunity to use two wingfoil sails for my outings: the wing Naish Matador LT 5mq and the wing F-one Swing 5mq and compare them.
Most of the trips were done in flat to choppy sea conditions and light to medium winds. I have to say that both wings lived up to expectations but with some differences that in my opinion have elected a winner, in terms of my preferences and what I look for in a wng.
First of all let's see what the manufacturers say about these two wings.
Naish Matador LT
The Matador LT takes the Wingsurfer Matador and makes it even leaner and meaner. Same basic profile, shape and overall structure as the Matador, the Matador LT remains a powerful and stable wing. For a lighter overall weight, the Matador LT features no windows and no removable Y-handles. The shape and diameter of the bladder have been modified to provide an even tighter shell tension and a further increase in overall power. The Matador has five single handles, two in the front and three in the back, the LT has only three wide ergonomic handles. Power and stability are its strengths with the lowest possible weight!
F-one Swing
The F-ONE Swing, a light, compact and totally safe wing. An amazing new way to fly and experience new sensations on the water, once you try it, you will be addicted. The wing Swing F-one has three handles placed one at the top and two below in the lower part of the in order to better manage the traction of the wind. Easy and powerful, the Swing is an intuitive wing suitable for beginners and intermediates looking for a wing to progress safely.
The two wings between the hands
The Swing F-one immediately stands out for its greater lightness. The lighter materials give it a nice weight advantage. I can say it's the lightest wing I've ever ridden. However, this also means less stiffness. The glider has 3 soft handles which impose a pre-established position of the arms and this does not allow to adjust the stance, which is a bit annoying for me (used to something else).
The Naish Matador Lt wing weighs more than the F-one. If we compare it with the Naish S26 it is certainly lighter, but compared to the F-one it remains heavier. The materials are excellent and give the idea of ??
The wing F-one Swing in the water
Both wing sails were tested in wind conditions of 8/12 knots and in winds of 16/18 knots. Choppy sea conditions.
With the Fone Swing the feeling is immediate, the traction is firm and is completely canceled by changing position. On the other hand, the lightness translates into a lower stiffness which does not help in gusts of wind or in pumping. The F-one Swing has a different power delivery than the Naish Matador. The shot is rather central and upwind with little wind is not immediate. You have to find the right window and at the same time work a lot with your back foot on the board to try not to lose sea by finding the right compromise to not lose planing. As the wind increases, the power of the Wing F-one is felt. But it is also a sail that floats well in the air due to its lightness and that is quite easily foiled.
The handles are very soft and comfortable but I personally am not comfortable with their constrained position.
The Naish matador LT in the water
Naish Matador is immediately perceived as a more present sail but also more solid and rigid in the hands. The handles are wide and semi-rigid and this allows you to have your own arm stance ensuring comfort when walking, but also helps to manage wind gusts.
The Naish Matador wing is a powerful wing and above all with a very progressive power management (more than the Swing Fone). Initially I needed a little more time to acquire the right feeling with power management based on the position of the sail, but once the right sensitivity has been acquired, it allows extremely precise and effective management.
The Naish Matador has a nice powerful shot that helps planing even with little wind, a really good upwind and progressive power management that helps manage it in any situation, even overpowered, making it a very versatile sail.
In changes of direction (gybing and tacking) the progressive pull and precise power management help to enter the curve at the right speed and supports you, giving you plenty of time to restart on the new edge.
Conclusions
We tried both wings even with the surf skate and this confirmed our impressions in the water.
Both wings worked well in different wind conditions but if they looked similar at first glance, they proved to be two very different wings.
The F-one stood out for its light weight and ease of use. Excellent as a first sail, I would certainly recommend it to a beginner or to those looking for a powerful sail to use with its right wind range.
The Naish Matador lt is a stiffer and more versatile wing. The characteristics of the Naish make it a more appreciable wing for intermediate level riders. Its strong point is certainly the power management that guarantees you excellent upwind lines, a wide wind range and good explosiveness even for jumps.
Pubblicato il 07 febbraio 2023 | Blog > Reviews: WING