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We tested Armstrong’s original MA series back in 2023, so two years later, with a sport that’s evolved in discipline and performance immeasurably in that time frame, it seems an appropriate moment for Armstrong to give the range a refresh. It’s available in eight sizes ranging from 490 to 1390cm2 – we tested the 990 and 690 – and as usual hooks onto the existing A+ fuselage with its tapered hexagonal fitting.
The original MA had some serious performance and led Cash Berzolla to fame, pushing wave-focused winging in particular to new levels. It could handle an inordinate amount of speed, fully breach and recover miraculously. I think it’s fair to say you needed to be on your game to ride it, and the foil needed to be ridden with conviction and kept in its sweet speed range.
Shape-wise, the more casual observer may think not much has changed, but putting the MA1000 against the 990 MA Mk II for comparison, a considerable amount of work has been done. First off there’s an extra bolt aperture for the gold 19mm bolt that holds the front wing on. The aspect ratio we think is ever so slightly increased with the 990 having a little more span. Our calipers tell us that the MA Mk II carries more thickness across its span, and the concave in the underside of the trailing edge has been reduced and spread more forward into the profile. Looking down the nose, the MA Mk II has a far more continuous anhedral curve, where the original MA had a very flat center section, and from the top, the Mk2 has a far straighter trailing edge. Major fettling has occurred. The build is from Toray carbon which has a much larger weave externally than most foils on the market, giving it that distinctive Armstrong look.
On the water the phrase we kept finding ourselves repeating was ‘sure footed’, particularly compared to the previous version which required a little taming in its low end. Pitch stability throughout the speed range has been massively improved. We noticed this most when you’re diving a more critical bottom turn. It locks in and seems to plough through turbulence and doesn’t falter, even at the upper reaches of its speed range. It’s an easy foil to ride. This really showed when we tested 690 MA Mk II with a Foil Drive in head-high waves at the back of the local river mouth, with six knots of outgoing current. Where you would normally hit the tripwire, we were riding it out with control. Winging was a joyful experience, particularly in wonky and challenging sea conditions.
Comparisons will inevitably be made with the current (and extremely well received) HA wing, which was also far more socially acceptable than its predecessor. There’s definitely now increased crossover in characteristics with the MA Mk II, so who should choose which? If you want something that rolls a little more eagerly than the current HA, it goes obscenely well rail to rail and really locks in better on a high-speed turn. At the upper extremities of its speed range the MA Mk II sits more comfortably and you feel you can plant a heavy turn without the risk of too much push. The HA is going to give you earlier lift per size; it rides a size under the MA Mk II equivalently. The HA is also a little easier to pump, and slightly more glidey. The MA Mk II seems to absorb a more turbulent water state. Both foils tip breach extremely well.
The new range of surf tails complement the MA Mk II perfectly. Available in three sizes from 130, 170 and 200cm2. We found these increased the solidity of the feeling of the MA Mk II system. Comparing the current household favorite Dart 120, the Surf MK II 130 feels a little less flighty, with more consistency through turns as well as a little more back foot pressure and reassurance. This combo rail to rail is dreamy. These come with the classic polycarbonate shims if you like to fiddle or need to tune to your board. Across quite a few setups we didn’t really feel the need, and it all felt very balanced straight out of the box.
Where the previous MA had a winging or propelled sport bias for the average user, the MA Mk II definitely spans deeper into the intermediate surf or SUP foil discipline and for anyone that wants to carve fast, tight lines. The OG MA was a foil with legendary status, and Cash used it to push the sport beyond what we thought was capable. With the MA Mk II, Armstrong have pulled a magic trick retaining that top end and hard carving ability but rounded off the bottom end, making it far more accessible to the masses, and incredibly sure footed at speed or when conditions are tougher.
