FOILING REVIEW:
Rode the 9m 2018 ultra today on high aspect foil in 8-14knots today
80kg, 25m lines.
First time flying it.
Kite: Very light and well constructed kite. Very high quality, classic Airush. Looks really small but I guess it's just a regular 9m. Nice bumpers and stitching, inflates in 30 seconds - "you were out there so fast" said wife on deck afterward without even knowing. Bag is cool/innovative but way too small for normal use, only going to use it for travel and use another full-size airush bag I have for everyday use.
Flying: Feels noticeably light in the air, extremely stable even at 8 knots. Low bar pressure. Never overflew me even though it's very fast. Great steering, extremely fast kite, generates good power, dumps power rapidly with flutter. Steers well depowered. Very very fun kite to fly. Seems like it would be great in waves from a flying perspective.
Good-great drift, I didn't think it was as good as a true wave kite though, riding surf this weekend so will comment after.
Lightwind Flying: Excellent (although I have NEVER flown a foil kite or a strutless). Rode lulls to 8 knots without any trouble, I think you could legit have fun riding a 7-11knot day with this kite at 80kg on a foil. I didn't have to manage the kite at all, just flew it and foiled!
Launch/Land: Single strut allows it to sit on the beach and launch like a normal kite, which is convenient. I launch by just pulling the lower line until kite rotates and launches, which it did fine. Didn't drop it so no relaunch comments. Has the Airush bridle so self-landing is a piece of cake.
Overall: Very happy with the 9m ultra for foiling. I can't imagine wanting a 12 as I was lit up at 14 knots dumping power.