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Anyone getting a single strut Switch Element for high wind foiling?

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Bletti
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Anyone getting a single strut Switch Element for high wind foiling?

Postby Bletti » Sun Dec 24, 2017 10:15 pm

Anyone getting a 3, 4 or 5m switch element 6 single strut kite for higher wind foiling? I can't decide which size I should get for 20+ kts. They are a pretty good price!

I have a Cloud D 13.4 and Cloud D 8.0 so i'm leaning towards a 4m Switch Element (depending on reviews) for a 3 kite travel quiver (with 5 and 7m kites to plug the gap when I'm home).

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Re: Anyone getting a single strut Switch Element for high wind foiling?

Postby Eltreato » Mon Dec 25, 2017 4:23 am

No but I would have considered a 9m had they not designed them as 5 strut kites.

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Re: Anyone getting a single strut Switch Element for high wind foiling?

Postby plummet » Mon Dec 25, 2017 4:35 am

Under 8m I recon need a 2m gap. So 6m then 4m.

For me 20-25 knots 6m is ideal. I don't step into my 4 until 25+.

PS. I'm not on ozone not switch.

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Re: Anyone getting a single strut Switch Element for high wind foiling?

Postby 3InletsWindsports » Mon Dec 25, 2017 10:33 am

Considering that once the wind is over 14-15 knots,
Any kite will not be so hampered by weight.
Then 3strut kites are no longer a problem.
So why not keep the inherent advantage of the extra struts when going below 8-9 m

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Re: Anyone getting a single strut Switch Element for high wind foiling?

Postby Eltreato » Mon Dec 25, 2017 4:24 pm

3InletsWindsports wrote:
Mon Dec 25, 2017 10:33 am
Considering that once the wind is over 14-15 knots,
Any kite will not be so hampered by weight.
Then 3strut kites are no longer a problem.
So why not keep the inherent advantage of the extra struts when going below 8-9 m
I was wondering the same thing. Why didn't they make the bigger sizes single struts instead of 5 strut? I will never buy a 5 in any size for foiling. That said I expect they will make Heliums to fill this void, though I have literally been waiting years for this and have since moved on to other brands.

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Re: Anyone getting a single strut Switch Element for high wind foiling?

Postby foilonfoil » Tue Dec 26, 2017 2:38 am

My only complaint with the Cloud was the trailing edge flap flap flap when the wind picked up. Without struts to help with stability, the trailing edge flapped like a flag. In higher winds I much prefer 3+ struts.

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Re: Anyone getting a single strut Switch Element for high wind foiling?

Postby Bletti » Tue Dec 26, 2017 8:15 am

3InletsWindsports wrote:
Mon Dec 25, 2017 10:33 am
Considering that once the wind is over 14-15 knots,
Any kite will not be so hampered by weight.
Then 3strut kites are no longer a problem.
So why not keep the inherent advantage of the extra struts when going below 8-9 m
There are foiling conditions where my 3 strut 5m will barely stay in the wind ( I figure I need about 17 kts to foil with my 5m 3 strut Switch Element 4) that the same size or a slightly smaller 1 strut or no strut kite will better respond and still give enough looping power to get going, thus the desire for a single strut kite. In smaller sizes with less fabric I'm not sure 3 struts are needed.

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Re: Anyone getting a single strut Switch Element for high wind foiling?

Postby OzBungy » Tue Dec 26, 2017 9:29 am

I might buy a 3m. I'll wait until the the small kites exist and there's a bit of knowledge about them. I already have a 5m Element, which is very nice.

I have to admit I've bought a few Switch kites because they're so cheap and there is little risk in buying them. There's a 30 day return policy and the kites have been pretty nice so far. So far they have been very good.

Switch might have to bring out a short bar for the tiny kites. The Element 5 5m flies very well on a long bar. I just have to point the bar and the kite instantly goes where I want it. If I make a mistake I can get spanked hard. There's a lot of energy in a fast flying kite in strong winds.

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Re: Anyone getting a single strut Switch Element for high wind foiling?

Postby max » Tue Dec 26, 2017 1:18 pm

foilonfoil wrote:
Tue Dec 26, 2017 2:38 am
My only complaint with the Cloud was the trailing edge flap flap flap when the wind picked up. Without struts to help with stability, the trailing edge flapped like a flag. In higher winds I much prefer 3+ struts.
Are you referring to the C5 clouds? Which sizes?

The D clouds are a different breed with regard to flapping . . . by that I mean . . . they do not :)

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Re: Anyone getting a single strut Switch Element for high wind foiling?

Postby foilonfoil » Tue Dec 26, 2017 5:51 pm

max wrote:
Tue Dec 26, 2017 1:18 pm
foilonfoil wrote:
Tue Dec 26, 2017 2:38 am
My only complaint with the Cloud was the trailing edge flap flap flap when the wind picked up. Without struts to help with stability, the trailing edge flapped like a flag. In higher winds I much prefer 3+ struts.
Are you referring to the C5 clouds? Which sizes?

The D clouds are a different breed with regard to flapping . . . by that I mean . . . they do not :)
Thanks for the info - Yes the C's and good to know about the D's... I will try a D out sometime.


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