Postby mikesids » Tue Sep 04, 2018 6:24 am
I have Ultras in 12, 10, 9( will sell), 8, and looking at getting a 6m . The addition of a 10m this year has evened out the sizing, didn't like the jump from 12 to 9 last year. I use for foiling only.
I have tried Cloud C2, LF Solo v1, Notus Air v1 and Reo's - the Ultra suits me best . Highly resistant to backstall, excellent at zenith and will fly up from low at the window's edge with low line tension ( excellent for getting out in an onshore shorebreak). Bar pressure just right, not too heavy, not too light - they don't oversheet. Turning speed good enough for me , again , not too quick or slow. Quick to redirect with a loop that doesn't punish you when turning, and the drift abilities also really helps if you lose line tension through a turn. Great reverse launch ability too.
For me , they are offer the best all round combination of qualities for foiling. I don't mind the odd occurrence of flapping in the slightest , its not like they do it all the time when foiling - if you were wanting to jump overpowered on a twin tip then that's a different thing. I used to sail Lasers so to me it is just luffing, and helps the kite to fall back in the window if overhead so in marginal winds it is actually a positive. They never Hindenberg because of this .
They are like an extension of my arm now - when I first took my 8m out on a 2 1/2 hour session ( 15-20 kts approx. ) I reckon I looked at the kite maybe 3-4 times in total , that's how comfortable it was. Take that as you may but to me that was a very powerful endorsement of what a well balanced and intuitive set up it is. I can now just forget about the kite and focus more on the foil, the water state , where I am heading, and my manoeuvres.