From 8.5m to 13.5m on new C.5 Cloud

[herbert]

I just got my C.5 Boardriding MauiClouds a few days ago. The sizes are 3.5, 5.5, 8.5 and 13.5m. That is a big jump from 8.5m to 13.5m, with no size in between. (I had 9, 12 and 14.5m C2 models before.)

I did quick back to back sessions hydrofoiling with the 8.5 and 13.5m kites.

First session was on the 8.5m from 420pm to 435pm and it averaged 12.5mph (11 knots). It was a comfortable wind for that kite, easy to water start and easy to maintain flight.

I switched to the 13.5 from 435pm to 4:55pm. The wind started with the same 12.5mph average but increased during the session with a peak wind of about 18mph (15.5 knots). I was still comfortable throughout the session....just parked the kite high when the wind was 18 mph. I like the feeling that I could really move, even loop the kite when foiling...so if the wind persisted in the 15 to 18mph range I would have moved back down to the 8.5m kite (and to the 5.5m if averaged 16 mph or more).

Anyway, plenty of range overlap in these kites. I wouldn't want or need a size between the 8.5 and 13.5m...at least based on these brief sessions. I could have happily spent the afternoon foiling with either kite. (Awaiting water pusher board sessions...if I can get myself off the foil).

Screen Shot 2016-04-22 at 5.41.57 PM.png (46.04 KiB) Viewed 1864 times

Screen Shot 2016-04-22 at 5.41.57 PM.png (46.04 KiB) Viewed 1864 times

[salvino]

Herbert,
I see your profile lists rrd. How do clouds compare to rrd? I'm new to foiling and using primarily rrd 9M religion. I'm 90kg and can really fly kite for performance. I settled on that kite of my quiver because any larger just was too heavy. I've been out in mostly 10-18kts.
I'm seriously thinking the clouds are the ticket for foiling, I'm just too newbie to make it matter right now......

[foilholio]

It is very smart what greg has done. These type of size jumps have been possible for quite a while on some kites. By taking the choice out, it prevents people making bad quiver choices. I use a 6/10/18, starting at 3knots going till 50. I wonder when he will release a 17-20m size, it would seem the 17m was his most popular size and would be a bad business decision not to sell something like that, hopefully improved and lighter. Lighter kites do work well in all sizes but best in the biggest ones.

[BWD]

Greg said in a recent update that the c2 17m will continue to be produced. If memory serves it weighs about 2750g.

[foilholio]

Thats good but I think he would be wise to invest as much design time as all of the .5s into a single large size 17m+ looking into new design elements like trailing edge bridles, increasing bridles on the leading edge to thin it further and using multiple fabric weights to improve balance and make it lighter.

[ronnie]

Greg said in a recent update that the c2 17m will continue to be produced. If memory serves it weighs about 2750g.

Yes - on the prices page, Greg says ​'The C2 17m will continue to be available for the lowest wind threshold on planing hulls.'

He quotes in the wind ranges that the 14.5m C2 has the same foiling low end as the 13.5 C.5. The 17m C2 goes 1 knot lower - to 6 knots. It would seem that theoretically, he could make a 17m C.5 and it would have a slightly lower bottom end, and from the chart of the other sizes, the C.5 would have a slightly higher top end too, but it would be very marginal - especially at the low end. The expense of developing a 17m or bigger C.5 has to be justifiable.

From their shape, if it has a more curved looking leading edge, does that mean the C.5 is a bit easier to relaunch? Relaunch is one area that I think they should do a deep water video on.

[ankers]

hi guys

any notable difference between C2 and C.5?

thanks

[Starsky]

I dont think the clouds relaunch any different than any other lei. On any of the touch down relaunches that are most common for experienced kiters they are probably faster to pivot and take off as they are so light and turn so fast. Once LE down, they pivot up super fast, and even when its gone sideways, they drift downwind, lines tension, and you get it sorted. There seems to be no more issues of kite rolling, or lines sliding over the back than with any other kite I've owned. I completely disregard concerns about deep water relaunch as a knock against the strutless concept.

[4liner]

I just finished a session foiling on the smallest C.5, the 3.5m Cloud. What a rock solid little kite !! The wind was blowing 25kts (29mph) and I weigh 70kg (155#).
This kite has opened up a whole new world of 'strong wind' foiling for me. I should be able to use it up to 30kts with no problem. For safety reasons I probably won't foil if it's any windier.