Kiteforum.com

Looks like a good take on the concept. They payed more than lip service to the light build. Very lean with simple TE and very little scuff guard. Will take another year before they all publish the weights, but on the look of it, this one will be on the lighter side. Pretty low aspect with that long centre strut. Look forward to user reviews.

I just got a 15m in to put in my school/demo fleet. Haven't had enough wind in the last few days to use it (how sad is that, ugh...). I'll post once I have.

15m size had high bar pressure

I bet. I think that's the way with all big single or strutless kites. They get overpowered early. My 12m cloud is a different animal than my 8.5 in both bar pressure and range. The ghost looks pretty low aspect, probably loads of power but size down early. Single strut are better in the smaller sizes where there is less unsupported fabric and full depower is within better reach.

I don't think this concept is very good for 12m+ sizes. A couple more years and they will be branded for foiling with a bit of wave. They really suit 2.5-9m best. Not a tt style of kite you want to ride overpowered. For foiling at least, as soon as any kite gets even close to overpowered the next two sizes down are sweet.

Interested in reviews of 10m and down.

I had an opportunity to test the new 4m Ghost in the Gorge this August at AWSI.

I'm a Slingshot dealer and got to try the Ghost along with a few other 1 strut kites.

For reference, I ride SST's in smaller sizes when foiling strapless and Apollos (for jumping) in larger sizes.

For anyone who has ridden Event site, you will know it can blow from 10-15 on the inside to 30-35 or stronger on the outside.

I took out another brands one strut and it was also a new entry and it was Very Very unstable and would not stop flapping.

Power was constantly on and off.

Horrible session.

I then took out a Ghost and it wasn't even close. It didn't flutter at all, was super fun to ride and had one of my best sessions at the Hatch on that kite.

Board was the 3'6" Micro with F-surf (infinity 76 front wing). Love that set up.

BTW....I'm about 225 lbs. Riding a 4m can really suck unless you know how to ride them and that 4m Ghost and other Ghosts will be in my arsenal.

The power was so much more predictable, even for a 4m.

Hope this helps,

Bob
www.kiteridersllc.com

I had a chance to ride a 15m back in fall and recently on my trip south I rode 4/6/8m Ghosts and I missed an opportunity to ride the 2.5m. We also had a 12m on the trip though I can't say I'm a fan of big kites anymore, and 12m is huge. I'd rather take a 10m on long lines and have more fun. Same trip I rode 5m Ozone Reo, which one person referred to me as "best wave kite ever made".

I'm bringing up Ozone Reo because Ghost is certainly same game, as I felt it and just as good if not better, so to compare it to "best wave kite ever made" - well, it's a good benchmark. Well met benchmark.

Ghosts are very light, material and detail quality is top notch. Large inflation Boston valve is now standard on all sizes so no need to use 9m nozzle for tiny ones. Stable kite, relaunches great and one strut makes difference in relaunch and being a structured wing.

8m and 6m sizes did great, I liked 4m even better but who wouldn't like a quick wing, the smaller ones get quicker naturally.

One thing I liked SST better for - I loop/downloop my kites a lot. I just enjoy flying a kite while going and in that regard both Reo and Ghosts delivered loop more powerful than I occasionally wanted. If looped from zenith or from edge of the wind window they swiftly pivot turn and don't deliver a power surge, just nice extra drift. Well, if you loop from 45 degree angle they generate more power and it could be used if you're going down the line but it could be also messing with your tack ripping you off the board.
But then again, not everyone loops the kites all the time and Ghost makes a great, lightweight companion for people who are less chaotic on water than I am

For folks who like their kite to turn on the spot - stay with SST

Thanks Grigorib. I use the SSTs but think for a kite that is billed as easy to waterstart I have had some lengthy re-starts with my SSTs. Could be the operator. Does the ghost water start easier IYO? I also think the Ozone Reo is the benchmark for wave kites and they water start very well IMO.

wallydog wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 10, 2020 8:25 pm

Thanks Grigorib. I use the SSTs but think for a kite that is billed as easy to waterstart I have had some lengthy re-starts with my SSTs. Could be the operator. Does the ghost water start easier IYO? I also think the Ozone Reo is the benchmark for wave kites and they water start very well IMO.

I’d say Ghost is easier to relaunch than SST

TL;DR
Ghost is lighter and relaunches better. SST turns better and has more predictable looping. Both need to be weighed down when laying on the beach

grigorib wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 10, 2020 8:49 pm

I’d say Ghost is easier to relaunch than SST

Yes, it is easier with the Ghost.
The SST relaunch is very good if the wind is strong enough. If not I often use reverse launch. That works really well with them.