Guide : Wing Foil occasion, comment bien choisir son matériel.

How to check second-hand Wing Foil gear before buying

In this guide, the GlissEvolution team explains how to properly check second-hand gear before buying it: a second-hand wing, a second-hand wing foil, and a second-hand wing board.

It is necessary to examine a second-hand wingfoil pack in person before buying it. To minimize your chances of being disappointed, you should ask the right questions in advance and check your future second-hand wing, foil, or wing board. 

VIEW SECOND-HAND WING FOIL SECTION

The right questions to ask before making a purchase:

What is the year of the second-hand wing? Gear evolves quickly, and we advise against buying equipment that is too old.

How long has it been used (Number of sessions)? The more the gear has been used, the more 'tired' it will be.

What is the intended use and the level of the previous rider? A beginner, or use in a wing foil school, will always be more traumatic for the gear than an experienced rider.

Second-hand Wing foil wing: what to check

On a second-hand wing, signs of wear are:

- the marbling of the canopy which gives an idea of its number of sessions. A canopy with little marbling and still crisp is a sign of a second-hand wing that has been used little and/or well. Because riding overpowered prematurely damages the canopy. A wing that remains inflated and flapping on the beach will also have marbling.

- repairs on a second-hand wing: it is better to buy a second-hand wing with a good repair done by a pro, than a wing without repair, marbled with a canopy at the end of its life.

- the Leading Edge seams should also be checked. Visually inspect them to ensure the thread holes are not enlarged or, even worse, that a thread is broken.

- the inflatable strut must hold pressure. Inflate the wing and check its pressure after 30 minutes. You can also spray the strut with soapy water to check for any leaks. If bubbles appear, it indicates a leak. If it needs checking or repair, you can drop off your second-hand wing at the GlissEvolution store for Charly's Workshop to perform a repair, which will be cheaper than a new strut.

What to check on a second-hand Wing Foil

Here are the points to check on a second-hand wing foil:

- The foil should not have any impacts. The foil's Front Wing often hits first, and a crack can quickly appear. Also, check the wingtips, which may have scraped the sand. If the paint is slightly scuffed, it's not serious. If the fiber is damaged, it's more problematic.

- The screw set: if the second-hand wing foil has been well-maintained, the screw set should be clean and should disassemble without force.

What to check on a second-hand Wing Board

A second-hand wing board is checked like any other kite or Surf board. Look for dents on the deck, ensure the grip is well-applied and not peeling off, and check for any snags or repairs on the board.

An additional important point is the foil mounting box. A check is necessary: its good general condition and watertightness with the board are essential because a box repair is expensive. You can also install the foil and check that the box does not 'move' in the board.

SEE the WING FOIL section 

See the second-hand wing foil section