Gong Superpower 9m Wind wing.
Just wondering if anyone has used the Gong 9m Superpower windwing yet?
Only seen the Gong promo footage.
I know this is not what you expect, but if you haven't read them yet, you have 3 pages of discussions on it on the Gong forum
(Subject: "WING : Fran?ais / English > WING : Matos / Gear > Tout savoir sur les Wings Superpower")
with some posts in English. (and Google Translate). Currently, mostly questions by interested people and answers by the designer, though.
That's what I am wondering BT.
Have tried the 7m Gong Pulse.
Nearly lost an eye putting the battens in lol.:)
Will try the 9m any day soon I hope.
That's what I am wondering BT.
Have tried the 7m Gong Pulse.
Nearly lost an eye putting the battens in lol.:)
Will try the 9m any day soon I hope.
I totally relate to the batten comment. I thought I was going to tear the fabric installing them on the 7m.
This is the method advised by Gong (Patrice) on the Gong forum: (sorry cannot link)
We had no reliability issues in the 3 years of selling this system.
First insert the batten from the back, the long portion first.
Then bend the batten strongly (do not let it go!).
Insert the front part: either by putting the sheath at 90? (it fits in by itself) or by bending it hard.
Let it slide gently into the sheath and tension it.
Pass it well inside the leading edge reinforcement.
Translated from the original below, in French:
aucun souci de fiabilit? en 3 ans de vente de ce syst?me.
D'abord ins?rer la latte par l'arri?re, la portion longue en premier.
Ensuite plier la latte fortement (ne pas la lacher !).
Ins?rer la partie avant : soit en mettant le fourreau ? 90? (?a rentre tout seul) soit en la pliant fort.
La laisser glisser doucement dans le fourreau et se mettre en tension.
Bien lui faire passer le renfort de bord d'attaque.
Cheers Colas.Yes that's the way I did it but accidentally slipped out of my grip whilst under pressure.Close call just nicked my big snozz:)
I close my eyes (seriously) once lined up. And when pulling them out.
Also taped the ends of the battens with electrical tape as the original protection has worn off quick. They look like they could do some damage.
I have the 6m SuperPower.
Yes it's a tricky at first.I also will either tape up or make the ends out of something more rounded.
long term could pierce the sleeve ends.
Watched a review regards gong wings.
Mainly positive.In regards to the batten ends.The ends only have a bit of tape to cover the tapered end.
In the review there is a concern that over time the end of the batten may tear or piece the end of the batten pocket.Not proven yet so no dramas.
Heres what I did.
I cut some sticky back soft 3M silicone strips
80mm x 15mm x2-3mmthick from a product called Nowacs.Not available now but had offcuts.
Its only a precautionary measure.
Just for the record, as far as Gong knows, there has been no failure yet after 3 years (kite, then wings) of these kind of batten pockets.
Disclaimer: I am a Gong ambassador and never touched a WIng.
A personal opinion: adding thickness to the end may put more stress to the batten gusset by exerting more force on the seams.
Yes thanks Colas.
As you mentioned previously and I did take note.
The silicon sticky back strip is only 2mm thick total of 4mm when applied.It would not put any extra stress on batten sleeve only soften it.IMO
I am an old fart that's a bit fussy with my gear.
Not saying that other crew should do it but it something I have done without undue hassles and time.
Just for the record, as far as Gong knows, there has been no failure yet after 3 years (kite, then wings) of these kind of batten pockets.
Disclaimer: I am a Gong ambassador and never touched a WIng.
A personal opinion: adding thickness to the end may put more stress to the batten gusset by exerting more force on the seams.
Thanks for the reassurance.
I'm really starting to love the 6m...I'm still a beginner but when not overtired from winging to much... I have got up on the foil in glassy conditions after catching a gust and pumping. Its surreal.