Aluula? New Revolutionary Material from Ocean Rodeo

[Flyingseb]

Not likely since most brands have turned it down because of the difficulty in stitching it effectively.

Wouldn’t be time to find a new way to assemble a kite? Stitching is like an anachronism to me. Gluing? Welding? These kind of process could even be more easily automated, ensuring consistent quality.
Aluula could be a good candidate for kite assembly technology improvement

[iriejohn]

Other brands are experimenting with Aluula atm; as they ramp up manufacturing of raw material the cost should come down alot.

Not likely since most brands have turned it down because of the difficulty in stitching it effectively.

From what I understand, rather than "difficulties in stitching Aluula" the larger brands have not adopted the use of Aluula because there is limited production capacity for the Aluula fabric itself so they can not manufacture in their required volumes.

As for supply chain issues, try buying a Core bar, or Dutone Evo, every brand has suffered.

True.

[Pierrot]

Not likely since most brands have turned it down because of the difficulty in stitching it effectively.

At least from what I see on my kite (which has serial number in the 900+ range for the production serie - and is « made in china » BTW) OR has figured out the stitching challenge.
And if I’m not wrong aluula actually sells the stitching process along with the material. At least it was on their website a few months ago.

Back to testing. First session today on a surfboard in small waves. Knowing that surfing is not my strongest discipline... well, no surprise, given the characteristics previously mentioned: it was just really great... it was like 15-17knt. Drift is really really good. Jibes and foot switch better than usual ( at this point it might be just psychological and nothing to do with the kite )
I even put it in the drink after a wipe out following a turn a bit too agressive. Relaunch was instantaneous.

Took it for a spin on a TT too. It really jumps fantastic. It is taking my kiteloops to the next level!

I’m in love

[Pana]

A few comments on flying a new 14.5....and a heads up safety consideration:

Had 9 to 12 knot warm unstable wind to fist fly the beast, but not long enough to make a full review. The kite flies in (k)nothingness and felt quite more agile than the 14m Enduro I had previously, mind you that kite as not a light wind design. Looks like the minimum wind for me will probably be 11 knots with a 153x43 board (the Enduro range was essentially 13 to 16 with the same board). I weigh 200 pounds /90 kg.

First impressions are all good with the most important being that the kite felt verry efficient once going with apparent wind.

At my local spot We must drift launch, and from a previous post from Pierrot mentioning the kite had a tendancy to fly off the water I was cautious, dunked the leading edge on one site to have a bit of ponded water. I do not know what happened as it was to fast but once the kite got tension in one line it immediately flipped over and took off in a perfect hot launch. I had my hand on the safety but did not need to release. The allula kite are so light it took off like a rocket in sub 10 knots. I self launch a lot and nothing similar ever happenned, it almost caught me off gard. The only thing I can think is that an xtensions (20 +5m) offered resistance allowing the kite to flip and then the lines untangled under tension.

Also at the end of the session, once on the grass and pretty dry, turned the kite over to help dry the inner leading edge. You just can’t let the kite like that, in about 4-5 knots it took off while I was standing by. I do that with my Enduros but will need to sand bag the lulas.

The thing just wants to fly and once up it feels like on auto pilot. It’s plug and play.

More comments when I have a full session.

[droffats]

Reposting these videos because some questions about the high end of the 14.5m etc. have come up and people don't want to scroll through 70+ pages!

[dracop]

Anyone know why they are pushing this on Wave kites? I understand the Flite series as light wind kites would definitely benefit first from the reduced weight and second from redesigning with thinner LEs and struts. I fail to see the value for Wave kites which are generally smaller faster kites that are not required to output as much power given the rider has so much planing/flotation support from the board.

How I would love to see a Vegas/Fuel/Torch C kite made from this! Without ability to improve bridling and load distribution, materials are the only way to improve C kites and nothing beats a C kite for feel, speed, and control. Its like a good sports car on Manual but the C kites really do need more range especially on The low end.

[Hansen Design]

Drift

[Foil]

can anyone confirm the true weight of the new Aluula kite range please, (in grams)
not the weights seen on any advertising info, as that's never ever true on Kites or boards (especially hydrofoil boards)
but as its delivered new to the customer
out of the bag
no strap or ties no hand book or spares kit, just the naked brand new kite,
all sizes.

[atomic-chomik]

Therevare a number of utube videos w wieghts of kites compared to allula.

[droffats]

I weighed the production 10m Roam Aluula today at 4.37 lbs. A guy told me his 10.4m Cloud is just under that (4.19). For the three struts, rigidity, relaunch, high wind performance I am all for that trade off.