Forums > Kitesurfing Foiling

Spitfire XXLW

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Created by bigtone667 > 9 months ago, 10 Jun 2018
weebitbreezy
617 posts
6 Jul 2018 6:58PM
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WOW! thats a lot of different sets of tracks.

I'm guessing this board can also be used for Stand up paddle surfing as well?

RAL INN
VIC, 2880 posts
7 Jul 2018 9:33AM
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That's Nicolas' Test board and yes it's used for Sup.
the feeling is that the new XXLW Spitfire is fun on all styles of foiling and makes it possible to use only one foil across all.
for Windfoil his comments in regards to normal Windfoil, "slower but easy".

RAL INN
VIC, 2880 posts
23 Jul 2018 8:01AM
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70 cm masts for XXLW Spitfire are ready.




RAL INN
VIC, 2880 posts
28 Oct 2018 10:23AM
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First time out on the XXLW attached to my Pocket Air board via 90cm Windfoil mast.
firstly the Windfoil type mount plate is primarily set for 90mm centred tracks with a slight kink in slots to allow fitting to the 85mm spacing of the insert boards. For Zeeko kiteboards this means the stepped nylon washer/bush has to be left out and a nylon washer used, as without the extra nylon washer the bolts bottom out before fully tightened.
next, the XXLW wings are thicker and use some different screws to the std Spitfire wings. The front wing uses 30mm long screws Vs 25mm on std.
this gives adequate depth of thread engagement.
on rear wing the end 20mm screw of Std wing is replaced by 25mm as per the rest.
fuselage and mast are same but the kitefoil mount plates of Std Spitfire are loctited on at factory so attempting to remove can be technical.

The bigger wings are heavier which you notice when carrying it. You also notice the extra drag and weight when manoeuvring it in water for water starts.
I went out on a gusty west wing at Shallow inlet, avg 20-25kts with some bullets and zero knots holes.
8m Notus Air on 28m lines.
(yes I was desperate to try it)

Leading up to first takeoff I was thinking about controlling the extra lift and visualised being launched into oblivion. A gust pull in on bar and up on board. Back off bar and get settled on board. Then get ready for lift. Then realised I was already foiling and had been since first forward movement it seemed.
the takeoff was and continued to be soft gentle and almost instant upon forward movements.
the down side of this was stopping. On Std Spitfire you Brough kite up, slowed and dropped neatly down. The XXLW won't drop down till you cease any noticeable forward motion.
something I had to get my head around.
Carving; the rear foot bias carving is magnified to the point where you can feel so close to that short board surfboard feel its uncanny.
you stomp on rear and either pivot or carve.
I wasn't in waves but tried pretending constant bottom top turns as if on say a 3' swell.
on RH tack it just felt great. On my left tack I had to be less tight. But carving to toeside on left tack was sweet. Especially given that my kite control during turns needs work (ok a lot of work).
carving from right tack to toeside on flat water has my brain bluffed still.

I use two straps and these were not changed at all.

I even used the wind holes to try pumping (first time) pumping with front foot bias was like stomping on concrete but seemed to get best results if pumping with even foot pressure. This way felt like I could keep going but maybe not, who knows?
going along with kite going spazzo in the wind the foil felt like a solid platform and not once during the 1.5hrs on water did it buck me off.
I did fall off plenty but mainly trying to push my newfound toeside riding ability.
Compared to Std Spitfire it's slow. Real slow. Did I just say Slow.
so life on foil just moves in slow motion. So slow those with Alzheimer's will forget starting the run. Or if they shimmed on not.

i can't wait to get some swell to try it in.
Or even use it on Sup or Surfboard as it was designed to do.






RAL INN
VIC, 2880 posts
3 Nov 2018 10:31AM
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If anyone is down Shallow Inlet way these next few days, and would like to try the XXLW?
I'll be around.


RAL INN
VIC, 2880 posts
29 Jan 2019 4:43PM
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I have a 70cm mast but yet to use it.
About to give wake foiling a try.
which would be best? 70 or 90

alverstone
WA, 529 posts
29 Jan 2019 2:28PM
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Select to expand quote
bigtone667 said..
Some thoughts on the Zeeko Spitfire XXLW.

For my weight, I found the original zeeko wings too small. The XLW wings were much better, but I found them a little to fast in the surf. So I decided to grab the XXLW unit (thanks RAL INN).

I have the 60cm mast and I attached the foil to my Naish Hover 155.

It took me about three minutes to work out the new balance points (have been riding the Naish Surf Thrust for last 12 odd months).

Once I fugured out the balance points, I had no issues at all riding healside, toeside and gybing.

I did breach quite a bit over my 44km ride which typically resulted in a big slap down nose dive. I recovered about 25 percent of the time from the breaches. I would recommend the 70cm if you are going to kite foil, and hopefully Zeeko will bring out a 90cm mast.

I proceeded to take the Zeeko out into the one to two foot runners and it is super fun. Speed was generally under control as you pushed down the wave and it was easy to turn back into the wave.

Really nice and lively in turns/carving.

It pops up very easily at low speeds and had a top speed of around 30km/h.

I found it pretty easy to ride high for sand bar crossings.

Happy to recommend this beast for kitesurfing.


Zeeka has a 90cm mast before the 70cm.

Lambie
QLD, 738 posts
29 Jan 2019 7:18PM
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I have the XXLW and riding it on a 70cm mast and had progressed heaps since getting it. My other foil is a speedy one and was on a 90 cm mast which is awsome for speed but learning to jibe was a huge (mental) challenge.
The spitfire XXLW will get up and fly at low speeds and is very stable but at the sametime can be turned on a dime if needed. Im now riding heel and toe side on both tacks and linking jibe transitions on both my natural and goofy side - just loving it!!
A couple of issues which is related to a high lift / surf/ SUP foil - when I push the speed up I need a lot of front foot pressure ( a lot!!) but the solution is dont try to break speed records on it LOL ! Second point is the emerging issue of wide wings and short masts - on occasions Ive let the foil ride a bit high for the 70 cm mast (im used to the 90 cm one) and when you crank the board over its easy to pop a wing tip out above the water. That said the XXLW wing span is shorter than other foils that I considered - I hate to think how limiting the wider wings would be to carve a turn??
Im torn between the 70 cm mast to fit in with shallow water / surf and the versatility of the 90 cm mast ???
Either way - if you want a slow(ish) surf orientated foil that is also an easy learing foil the XXLW could just be the foil to try !! My suggestion is stick with the 70 cm mast (or longer).

Oh and Ral Inn - maybe I should shimm the back screw on the front wing to reduce the AOA ?? Im sure it would reduce the front foot pressure at higher speeds ?? Your thoughts ? LOL

RAL INN
VIC, 2880 posts
30 Jan 2019 8:21AM
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The extra front foot pressure at speed happens for me when I'm going close to sailboard planning speed.
I think I'll take straps off and use this as a foot switch time indicator.

after so long on Spitfire I'm having my feet very firmly in straps (TT firm)
which has me settled into not changing feet except by stopping.
plus I'm probably now trapped in a left foot forward preference to ride that I need to get out of.

but my urge to get to riding swell free of kite has me wondering which mast to use.

Lambie
QLD, 738 posts
3 Mar 2019 5:22PM
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Well what a weekend of fun - I got out behind a boat on Saturday with my XXLW foil coupled to a Shinn Jackson and all of the water skiing experience (from 20 years ago) quickly came to the front of my mind!!

The aim was (a) to get up and foil behind the boat - can tick that one off, it was easier than I expected ! (b) see if we could free ride the boat wake - thats a work in progress !!

For the XXLW spitfire the 'comfortable boat speed' was around 10 to 11 knots (boats GPS) . On occasions I had a fully slack rope so was technically free foiling - it so weird not to have any pull (from a kite or boat) and just ride the wave - very cool !!

The XXLW spitfire is a nice foil - not fast but as an update to a previous post has been the "tool" to help me progress!! If I can work out how to upload a short vid from Saturday morning Ill share my shaky foil ride !!

RAL INN
VIC, 2880 posts
10 Mar 2019 2:53PM
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Lambie copping with beginner driver.

kyrojoe
WA, 33 posts
30 Sep 2019 1:40PM
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Have a, mint original spitfire with additional XL WIng set will sell 750 euros takes all in original zeeko carry case PM for details.
Im Based in cancun Mexico and can get courier to drag it up to USA or even Europe depending where you need it.

Good winds!



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"Spitfire XXLW" started by bigtone667