“Light” wind tubes

[junebug]

I’m in the market for a new “light” wind kite. Everyone has their own light wind fun threshold, and I have found that mine is about 9-10kn. I’m looking for a 10m kite for these conditions.

I know the usual suspects—Airush Ultra, OR Flite, Cloud, etc.—but I’m curious if anyone has experience on the below kites on a 10m (or bigger) at the low end of the range:

Naish Boxer
Cabrinha Drifter
Slingshot Wave
Slingshot Turbine

My main concern is obviously whether these kites are too heavy in the 10m size to stay in the air at 9-10kn.

I recently got a LF WOW 10m V3, but it drops out of the sky at 9kn, backstalls like hell at 10kn, and won’t water relaunch consistently until at least 11kn. I really don’t want to make that mistake again.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

[jakemoore]

I have 2018 Boxer and Ultra. Ultra is lighter, flies in less wind and can fly more forward in the window at the ideal bar position. I think Boxer relaunches better, has a shorter bridle and is more durable. I think the leading edge battens improve the Boxers flight and its a nicer kite if there is just a bit more wind.

I have briefly flown Cloud D. Much lighter than the others. A little less power for the size. A friend with 8.4 cloud as his largest kite will only come out when I have the ability to step down to my 5m Hyperlink.

I always choose my Hyperlink for these conditions as it is more powerful and very much lighter size for size. Relaunch is way better. Also the kite accepts riding downwind better. Mostly the tube-kites are for my kids or for me if the sand is very wet and likely to stick the foil kite cloth.

[omg]

Jake, what's the difference between Boxer and Hyperlink (what size?), I mean in the low end? I have the Boxer 12 2018/19 and it will be fine until it drops from the sky at around 7 knots.

[jakemoore]

About 1.5 kg between 8m boxer and 9m hyperlink regular cloth. It’s a huge weight savings. Hyperlink 7m turns slower and pulls more in comparison to Boxer 8.

[junebug]

I have 2018 Boxer and Ultra. Ultra is lighter, flies in less wind and can fly more forward in the window at the ideal bar position. I think Boxer relaunches better, has a shorter bridle and is more durable. I think the leading edge battens improve the Boxers flight and its a nicer kite if there is just a bit more wind.

I have briefly flown Cloud D. Much lighter than the others. A little less power for the size. A friend with 8.4 cloud as his largest kite will only come out when I have the ability to step down to my 5m Hyperlink.

I always choose my Hyperlink for these conditions as it is more powerful and very much lighter size for size. Relaunch is way better. Also the kite accepts riding downwind better. Mostly the tube-kites are for my kids or for me if the sand is very wet and likely to stick the foil kite cloth.

What size Boxer(s) do you have and what is it’s range?

[deniska]

I recently got a LF WOW 10m V3, but it drops out of the sky at 9kn, backstalls like hell at 10kn, and won’t water relaunch consistently until at least 11kn. I really don’t want to make that mistake again.

all kites I have flown would stay up at 9kts (I think the threshold for tubes is 6-7kts, with some specific ones being able to survive 5 kts)
Most of the kites will deep water relaunch at 9-10kts with good technique
I know nothing about LF WOW but I don't see how it would be different...if it backstalls, maybe it's the bar?
Very often, you can mitigate that by looping the kite that is losing tension to keep it in motion and flying..
Again in 9kts most recent kites will fly solid...

[deniska]

re-reading your post, I think riding 10m for 9-10kts is a little ambitious..
Yes it works as foils are pretty efficient, but on certain directions, you just don't have enough juice from the kite, imho..
In below 12kts I prefer my 17 Zephyr.. It's not particularly light, but I swear to God I can keep it flying in 5-6kts.. If I can side launch it - it's a session! Around 9-10kts I get good speed and lofty jumps...

[jakemoore]

678 Boxer and 9 Ultra. Mostly my kids fly the tube kites. 90% I fly the Hyperlink 7. It’s hard to comment on range because wind is so subjective, different weights and also foil wings. We are fortunate to have good wind so it’s hard for me to comment on very light experiences. Seems like we have had 15 every day. And I seem to like smaller kites than most others although I sacrifice some boost and upwind.

Realistically if the iKite sensors here read 12 or less tubs kite guys don’t come out. It can be done and I can make the 9 ultra work but if it gets wet I may drift in. 9 Hyperlink and I’m having big fun. Our air is warm and humid so maybe less power than a cold 12 knots.

The Boxers need just a little more wind. Less wind than any 3 strut I’ve flown but more than the ultra. I’m most likely to ride the 6 on HF in 16 Kts and up. Bigger sizes and I prefer the foil kite for hydrofoil. My comparisons are based a lot on riding downwind on foil or in waves where the wind feels like zero. My 120 lb teenager loves TT riding the 8m boxer in 18 knots plus. Super fun and easy kite. I like to use the boxer 8 or Ultra 9 in 18 knots plus in our onshore slop surf. Riding waves too fast downwind and the heavier kites sink. Plenty of downloops bus zero wind is still zero.

If you are committed to a big tube kite for light wind foiling I would get a Cloud a size up from whatever size you think is right. My second choice would be Ultra sized right.

But my true choice would be a medium aspect foil kite.

[Wazza Foil]

I (75kg just past beginner level) kite with Cloud D kites - 10.4m for 7/8kn to 12kn breeze (no to almost no white caps) and 8m 11kn to 15kn using 32m race lines.
The 10.4 Cloud D will launch easy in 5kn breeze off ground or off water in 6kn + and stay up without any issues.

[tomtom]

9-10kts is not so light wind anymore. Almost any LEI will fly without problem so I will go for nicest kite. But deep water relaunch - i will actually yet to see deepwater relaunchable LEI at 9.
For relaunching LEIs its in LW its important if they can fly backward /back lines pulling/ So put also this on your priorities. I dont know any of these kites - I know North Mono and Neo. Mono is bad, Neo is very nice - and for sure 9 NEO will work on foil at 9-10 /86kg/ but not a chance it will relaunch. Also aim for low V front lines so you can use opposite front back lines technique.
Now i have 9m foil kite for this winds 6-12 which is relaunchable from 6 maybe even 5 without any problem. But if 9-10 is your LW - you are in LEI world in my book.