My review on Cabrinha 2013
Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 1:27 am
Last weekend I could test Cabrinha kites and boards for 2013 season.
I'm learned how to kite in a North and I've been sailing a Cabrinha since then. I'm writing, because I asked for reviews on it sometime ago and nobody could give me a hint, so it might enlight somebody else. (São Luís - MA - Brazil - 35 km downwind and wind 20 knots)
I first tested a Cabrinha Drifter 11 2013. This kite really made my day on flat and waves. Really light, fast, up to a close/tight pivot. He is right there just waiting for you and if a maneuver while in wave gets you lacking power it wont stall and accept really fast a kiteloop reengaging you. It gave me power up while junping. It gives you power at 45 degrees.
I felt odd on its tissue some times flapping but it was not unexpected since I was trying some subtle direction exchange. Though i'd like somebody from Cabrinha office comment on that.
I'm considering buying this kite.
Then I asked for a Chaos 11.
Man, that is not a kite for me. I know it is not a kite for downwind, but I expected a faster kite changing directions. I had to work hard to get ahead and felt it a little bit lazy as my old crossbow (sorry guys for comparison of two diferent sailing instances).
Nice colors, I could relauch it several times (5) fast enough (great kite there, making sure you might miss). I had to kiteloop to gain power and have some fun.
Switchblade 11 and 12. It's a different kite from previous year and year before that.
It looks like less powerful and more agile. Although I will sail next weekend and get a better review, because wind was down to 15 by the end of the day. Go for the red collor than green one, but blue is also a good pick. I bought one 12.
I tested the entry board I can't remember and Xcaliber. The first is horrible. A stick. I could not recommend, not even to a newbie.
Xcaliber is a different board, lighter, smaller fins, channels all over it. Really great pop and upwind capabilities. I didn't like pads, they are slippery. I bought one.
Bar is lighter; lines look improved; colors are ugly, but the red (very hard to repair pattern and keep it unseen). all products were said to be prototype or lacking adjustments, which I agree it supposedly is the truth.
Cabrinha has a great line for 2013 with minor flaws in my opinion.
Go for a test-drive at a Drifter before buying a switchblade it might change your desire.
I'm learned how to kite in a North and I've been sailing a Cabrinha since then. I'm writing, because I asked for reviews on it sometime ago and nobody could give me a hint, so it might enlight somebody else. (São Luís - MA - Brazil - 35 km downwind and wind 20 knots)
I first tested a Cabrinha Drifter 11 2013. This kite really made my day on flat and waves. Really light, fast, up to a close/tight pivot. He is right there just waiting for you and if a maneuver while in wave gets you lacking power it wont stall and accept really fast a kiteloop reengaging you. It gave me power up while junping. It gives you power at 45 degrees.
I felt odd on its tissue some times flapping but it was not unexpected since I was trying some subtle direction exchange. Though i'd like somebody from Cabrinha office comment on that.
I'm considering buying this kite.
Then I asked for a Chaos 11.
Man, that is not a kite for me. I know it is not a kite for downwind, but I expected a faster kite changing directions. I had to work hard to get ahead and felt it a little bit lazy as my old crossbow (sorry guys for comparison of two diferent sailing instances).
Nice colors, I could relauch it several times (5) fast enough (great kite there, making sure you might miss). I had to kiteloop to gain power and have some fun.
Switchblade 11 and 12. It's a different kite from previous year and year before that.
It looks like less powerful and more agile. Although I will sail next weekend and get a better review, because wind was down to 15 by the end of the day. Go for the red collor than green one, but blue is also a good pick. I bought one 12.
I tested the entry board I can't remember and Xcaliber. The first is horrible. A stick. I could not recommend, not even to a newbie.
Xcaliber is a different board, lighter, smaller fins, channels all over it. Really great pop and upwind capabilities. I didn't like pads, they are slippery. I bought one.
Bar is lighter; lines look improved; colors are ugly, but the red (very hard to repair pattern and keep it unseen). all products were said to be prototype or lacking adjustments, which I agree it supposedly is the truth.
Cabrinha has a great line for 2013 with minor flaws in my opinion.
Go for a test-drive at a Drifter before buying a switchblade it might change your desire.