Postby jakemoore » Sat Jul 14, 2018 3:59 pm
I have Boxer 6,7,8 that I bought mostly for my kids to learn to ride. Also Ultra 9 for me to ride waves and hydrofoil. Both are good kites. I have ridden the Ultra more than the Boxers, but mostly like and ride foil kites. For me, riding foil 70%, surf 25% and TT 5%, I choose my foil kites every time as long as I’m not launching on wet sand or dealing with drizzle or fog. The foils are lighter, tolerate slack line drift better, have better upwind and downwind, have more power, better boost, and a softer landing for my old knees.
Both Boxer and Ultra give the impression of being grunty for their size and generate nice sheet and go power. Both sit deeper in the window and are stable with light wind and drift. Both generate power with appearant wind nicely. Both can jump but not upwind or boost jump champs. Both will make a softer but not gutless loop that could initiate waterstart in light winds. Both relaunch easily in 12+ knots and probably less. I have had the Ultra hindenberg in shifty lulls when trying to push a session below 10 knots. I have not pushed the Boxer for light wind sessions. 9 Ultra pulls harder and weighs less than 8 Boxer.
Boxer has a more durable appearance in construction with heavier cloth and more Kevlar patches and panels. It has less flapping when depowered, possibly due to the leading edge battens. I’m biased to think this means better aerodynamics. It has some features to possibly allow light wind relaunch including a mesh window in the tip strut to allow water to drain and a trailing edge 5th line attachement. I have not tested either. My favorite thing about the boxer is the bridle is compact and won’t wrap a wingtip. I have wrapped Ultra’s bridle for example doing a downwind self launch. Some people have been bitten by octopus one pump. It doesn’t bother me.
Ultra is lighter and will fly in less wind. Some people think the Dyneema load frame is goofy. I think they just want a heavier kite. I think if you are seeking the best light wind experience either to ride waves downwind slack line or hydrofoil with a tube kite, Ultra is your choice. 15 knots plus, especially if you want to leave it flapping on the beach or allow your children to fly it into a fence, choose Boxer. Regarding price, I would consider the value of those extra light wind sessions.