Inflatable wingboards are a popular alternative to hardboards due to their compact pack size (HERE you can find general buying advice on the subject of hardboards vs. inflatables). Manufacturer Duotone also has an iron in the fire with the Sky Air - we tested it.
On land
The Duotone Sky Air model is available in three sizes: In 5'5" (105 litres), 5'9" (125 litres) and 7'2" (200 litres) - we tried out the size with 125 litres. Like the 105 size, this is designed purely for foiling, while the 7'2" size with a volume of 200 litres is equipped with fin boxes for side fins in addition to the double rail for the foil. This means that the board can also be used without a foil, which is a great advantage when practising in light winds - the fins reduce lateral drift enormously. The Sky Air 125 we tested is available as a set with a good pump, foot straps and a generously sized bag with wheels (pack size: 92 x 92 x 20 cm) for 999 euros.
The board has a large and non-slip deck pad. Plugs are installed for mounting foot straps. The straps are soft, comfortable and are even double-screwed - twisting or tearing off the screws is therefore not an issue. The board has a soft carrying handle on the top, while the foil box sits in a large carbon plate on the underside, into which another handle has been integrated - this is suitably positioned, but not particularly easy to grip. The box is not excessively long, but should offer a suitable position for most foils on the market. A rubber edge has been glued to the rear of the board to enable a clean water release at the tail and prevent the round edges of the board from getting stuck during the start-up phase. Despite the classy features, the weight of 6.58 kilos, as measured by us, is very attractive. We also present this board again with all the features and details on our YouTube page. Take a look!
On the water
We have ridden the Sky Air inflatable wingboard with two different foils - one Cabrinha X-Series 1650 and with a Duotone Aero Carve 1100. The first thing that stands out is that the Sky Air has above-average stability in the water. The deck pad offers a good grip, the straps are soft and comfortable. Because the board is also nice and stiff, you don't get the feeling of "just" standing on an inflatable when you first pump up and take off. The takeoff is very harmonious due to the rather stretched outline, and there is no noticeable suction - as is often the case with inflatables without a glued-on tear-off edge - with the Sky Air. Here too, hardboards of the same size take off a little earlier on average as a result of the firm shape - but the Sky Air is pretty close and offers above-average performance for inflatables in this respect.
Once in the air, the Duotone model also gives little cause for criticism: it sits well and lightly on the foot, the wide and flat deck offers enough space for foot changes in manoeuvres and even the first jumps and rides on swell waves are easy thanks to the light weight.
Duotone Sky Air - the conclusion
The Sky Air 125 scores as a very well-equipped and easy-to-ride inflatable wingboard with a large target group ranging from intermediates to freeriders. Ideally, the board should be combined with high-lift foils with a surface area of between 1200 and 2500 cm2.
Easy takeoff; tipping stability; equipment
Technical data Duotone Sky Air
- Test model: Duotone Sky Air 5'9''
- Length: 5'9'' (175 cm)
- Width: 29'' (73.6 cm)
- Pack size: 92 x 92 x 20 cm
- Weight (own measurement, without loops): 6.58 kilos
- Volume: 125 litres
- Available sizes: 5’5’’x105//5’9’’x125//7’2’’x200 Liter
- Scope of delivery: Board, straps, pump, bag
- Price: 999 Euro
- Special features: Size 7'2'' with additional side fins