HY-WING V2

THEY SAY: With plenty of updates the new model will continue to support the all round capabilities of the Wing and allow it to reach a new level of performance. With increased stability, effortless handling and an extended wind range it will be the ideal choice for any Wing Surfing ability. From your first flight attempts to explosive jumps, the HY-WING V2 will be your reliable and performing companion and will elevate your wing surfing.

WE SAY: The Hy-Wing is into its second season and with it, its second iteration. The V2 is so new in fact, that it wasn’t even advertised on Gunsails’ own website at the time of going to print. Reading from our notes and comparing the two wings, this V2 has witnessed a change in outline, with a shorter wingspan and slightly elongated chord, giving it a lower aspect planform. It adopts the same red-black colourway as its predecessor and identical fittings, with a standard bayonet valve on the lead strut being the sole point of inflation, feeding the central strut via a single hose. The struts are produced in a ‘Double Diced’ Dacron, whilst the canopy is a high density ripstop and houses two large windows, for visibility downwind. Which leads us onto an important point, stated by Gunsails: when packing down, take care to roll and not fold the windows, as this may cause them to crack. The most significant refinement of the Hy Wing, however, has to be in the handles along the boom strut. Whilst the V1 had particularly loose and thin (almost string-like) handles, the V2 now sports three beefed-up thick handles with plenty of form and internal structure. As a result, the weight of the Hy Wing has increased by a few hundred grams, albeit remaining lighter than the average. Inflated to 8 PSI, the V2 has a medium dihedral profile to its leading edge and a shallower profile in the wingtips. The canopy remains loose like its predecessor, with what the brand calls a Fusion Trailing Edge – a reinforcement patch and stitching that runs the length of the leech.

With plenty of structure and power available from the Hy Wing, similar to that of its predecessor, we have to say that Gunsails have listened to our plea in our summary of the V1 Hy Wing. Writing last year, we mentioned that “If we were to change one aspect of the wing, we’d tighten up the handles to provide more control and immediacy at the rider’s fingertips.” So we’re delighted to say the V2 has just this – handles that are tighter and more substantial, providing the right balance of comfort and connection to provide useable and useful feedback. The Hy Wing powers smoothly once engaged, the loose canopy allowing the depth of the wing’s draft to deepen as a gust hits, whilst also softening the delivery. It’s not a wing necessarily for the active rider that demands punch and immediacy, the looseness in the canopy letting the power to build progressively rather than punch. Instead, the Hy Wing is ideal for the novice or more passive rider, taking the sting and violence out of a gusty environment. Stable and dependable, there’s plenty of stiffness to the wing’s framework however, giving the confidence to lock in and use the Hy Wing over a wide wind range. Fast on all points of sail, the new handles are comfortable for long periods of use and allow the rider to position their hands according to preference. In transition, the Hy Wing goes neutral easily when sheeted out, the dihedral profile of its leading edge allowing the wing to rock naturally from one tack to the other, the power returning gradually so as to not pull the rider’s stance off balance.

THE VERDICT: With its stiff, dependable framework and smooth easy power delivery, the Hy Wing retains lots of top end stability and has taken a big step forward with the new central strut handles. Perhaps a slightly tighter canopy for V3? Time will tell, but for now the Hy Wing represents excellent value for money.

The Gunsails brand can look back on more than 30 years of experience in windsurfing and, with Florian Jung, also has a wingsurfer from the very beginning in its team. In addition, Thilo von Osterhausen, son of the company founder and himself an enthusiastic waterman, is driving development in all wind directions. So it was obvious to offer the first Gunsails Wing last year and now also matching foils. With the Hy-Wing V2, we have the latest development of the Hy-Wing in the test.

ON THE BEACH: The Hy-Wing comes with a medium diameter of both the strut and the front tube. Similar to the RRD Evo, the leading edge is arrow-shaped in the middle, as the first segment of the leading edge to the right and left of the strut is relatively long and not interrupted by an additional seam. At the first profile seam, the shape of the leading edge becomes straighter when viewed from the front. Similar to the new Wing-Surfer MK4 from Naish in the models from 6.0 square meters, the Hy-Wing has not only a middle loop on the Leading Edge, but also an additional handle on the right and left to make launching easier for beginners on long boards without foil. These handles should make it easier to turn the wing around its own axis when it is in the water. The other three handles on the strut are cut relatively wide. The fairly thick padding provides stability, but the handles are not round, but square shaped, so that the edges, although quite soft, cut in a bit over time. The tension in the canopy is there, but much less than models like the Unit or Armstrong A-Wing. Here it's more like the Ozone, which also has a bit less canopy tension in the midsection. The reinforcements at the seams, at the leading edge, at the tips and at the end of the strut are sufficient. Gunsails also goes for medium values in aspect ratio, with a 3.28-meter wingspan and 2.10-meter strut. At 2.55 kilos, it is one of the lighter wings on the market for a 5.0.

ON THE WATER: The Wing easily takes off from the water, but you have to lift it significantly to get the wing tips to separate cleanly from the water. Of course, you have to do that with any wing, but even though it's not the most stretched 5.0, the ends of the wings sit relatively far back here due to the outline, and so you have to hold the Hy-Wing high enough immediately on launch to get enough distance from the water surface. We didn't use the two additional handles on the leading edge, but for absolute beginners this is certainly a good help to turn the wing more easily into the wind. Also in the flight phase you have to get used to the wing shape - if the relatively slim tips dip in the water for a short time, you can usually release them from the water again quickly. When pumping up the wing, you will notice that the Hy-Wing is not equipped with a sports chassis, but with uncomplicated handling. The Hy-Wing can be pumped up well, flexes a bit and then pulls you smoothly onto the foil with good lift. The medium-deep profile in combination with the slightly flexing framework of strut and leading edge makes the wing forgiving. Nevertheless, it can be guided well when jibing and remains calm in handling even in gusts. The three elongated handles are correctly placed and easy to grip. Only their angular shape is not ergonomically ideal, as already mentioned. As far as performance is concerned, the Hy-Wing can convince on all courses, even if it is never at the top of the podium. In direct comparison with the GA Cross, it scores with significantly higher pressure point stability, but has to admit defeat to the SurfStar here. It's the other way around in the lower wind range, where the Hy-Wing is ahead. The relatively large windows allow a good view to leeward. As far as freestyle maneuvers are concerned, it is rather the right one to learn the basics here, for specialists the Wing could react more directly and faster. The same applies to the wave: Here it flies loyally alongside, but is not quite as neutral as A-Wing, KT or the Ozone.

FOR WHO? Beginners, intermediates, but also freeriders who are looking for an easy to fly, not too hard tuned wing will certainly be satisfied with the Hy-Wing. For sporty riders and specialists, however, it is a bit too gentle.