Below is a review of the Peak4 on a hydrofoil for gusty conditions from 18-30mph. I've been really interested in the talk over the Peak4 as an economical foiling option. I couldn't be more pleased.
I liked Peak4 but there are some issues with it. Tested in 10-30kts ish. Two days only. So my experience on it's almost zero.
I'd need to ride it 10 sessions more to enjoy it even more,
It works perfect in the middle range. Upper end requires to keep the steering lines non-stop on a bar to avoid kite's shivering.
However it is not big issue. Even with released bar the kite was shivering like mad but it's never collapsed or inverted.
Bigger issue for me is a fact that it sinks on the rough sea:
I will right more next week.
These users thanked the author BraCuru for the post:
I liked Peak4 but there are some issues with it. Tested in 10-30kts ish. Two days only. So my experience on it's almost zero.
I'd need to ride it 10 sessions more to enjoy it even more,
It works perfect in the middle range. Upper end requires to keep the steering lines non-stop on a bar to avoid kite's shivering.
However it is not big issue. Even with released bar the kite was shivering like mad but it's never collapsed or inverted.
Bigger issue for me is a fact that it sinks on the rough sea:
I will right more next week.
What about its stability in low winds? Would that be a good option for a light foiler?
even 3m peak is too big for 30 knts - You seems to like power - and speed. I think peak is not kite for you. If you like Soul you will not like Peak and vice versa.
Peak had no upper range to speak about. It had to used it its sweet spot. If it flap - rig size smaller. You need more sizes of peak than soul for sure
I dont know if it was discused. I almost never crash my kites so it isnt issue for me. But i think if you put kid baloon /or something simmilar / in peak tips and inflate it you made it unsinkable and potentialy infinity restartable.
One of many characteristics I like about the P4 is that it has grunt but very little lift. So when overpowered, you are not fighting to keep your foil in the water. It just starts flapping (shivering)....tells you to downsize. In my experience, they don't really flap unless overpowered.
I have only dropped it once and got lucky. It was directly downwind, in well powered conditions so I was able to maintain line tension and it relaunched easily. It happened while pumping with hands off bar. They are hard to drop, and I use these kites with the expectation that they will not relaunch. It is just a mental shift....prepare a pack down plan and know how you will get back to shore. It is a negative trade-off, but all kites have negative trade-offs.
On the question of them being good low wind kites, I think that is still an unknown. There are those on this Forum who like the 11 meter P4 in 7-8 knots and others who say they are not good in low winds. More collective experience with the 11 is needed, I think.
These users thanked the author slowboat for the post:
even 3m peak is too big for 30 knts - You seems to like power - and speed. I think peak is not kite for you. If you like Soul you will not like Peak and vice versa.
Peak had no upper range to speak about. It had to used it its sweet spot. If it flap - rig size smaller. You need more sizes of peak than soul for sure
I dont know if it was discused. I almost never crash my kites so it isnt issue for me. But i think if you put kid baloon /or something simmilar / in peak tips and inflate it you made it unsinkable and potentialy infinity restartable.
On the question of them being good low wind kites, I think that is still an unknown. There are those on this Forum who like the 11 meter P4 in 7-8 knots and others who say they are not good in low winds. More collective experience with the 11 is needed, I think.
i dont have a 11m....but i take an 8m peak4 on ~29m lines out in 7-8 knots.
i can be on water as early (low winds) as anyone here...so at my 76-77kg an 8m is sufficient
a 12m gin marabou might give an extra knot on same lines on low end..but is super slow...neither kite i can relaunch in those winds (so being relaunchable is irrelevant)
i'd say a 5m i can use at 10 knots (and i switch as soon as i can)...i can the 5m use up to the 24-25 knots daily max seen in cabarete(pretty much all day). not really an issue riding overpowered. i ride a 6m soul in same winds (it doesnt punish errors like the soul....but i'd prefer a 3m at 20+ knots)
On the question of them being good low wind kites, I think that is still an unknown. There are those on this Forum who like the 11 meter P4 in 7-8 knots and others who say they are not good in low winds. More collective experience with the 11 is needed, I think.
i dont have a 11m....but i take an 8m peak4 on ~29m lines out in 7-8 knots.
i can be on water as early (low winds) as anyone here...so at my 76-77kg an 8m is sufficient
a 12m gin marabou might give an extra knot on same lines on low end..but is super slow...neither kite i can relaunch in those winds (so being relaunchable is irrelevant)
i'd say a 5m i can use at 10 knots (and i switch as soon as i can)...i can the 5m use up to the 24-25 knots daily max seen in cabarete(pretty much all day). not really an issue riding overpowered. i ride a 6m soul in same winds (it doesnt punish errors like the soul....but i'd prefer a 3m at 20+ knots)
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So the 8m low end limit would be the waterstart since it can park in almost no wind, right?
I never imagined having a 8m kite for riding under 10knots.
Worst case scenario the swim with a kite this size it´s not that bad if you can pack it quickly.
On the question of them being good low wind kites, I think that is still an unknown. There are those on this Forum who like the 11 meter P4 in 7-8 knots and others who say they are not good in low winds. More collective experience with the 11 is needed, I think.
i dont have a 11m....but i take an 8m peak4 on ~29m lines out in 7-8 knots.
i can be on water as early (low winds) as anyone here...so at my 76-77kg an 8m is sufficient
a 12m gin marabou might give an extra knot on same lines on low end..but is super slow...neither kite i can relaunch in those winds (so being relaunchable is irrelevant)
i'd say a 5m i can use at 10 knots (and i switch as soon as i can)...i can the 5m use up to the 24-25 knots daily max seen in cabarete(pretty much all day). not really an issue riding overpowered. i ride a 6m soul in same winds (it doesnt punish errors like the soul....but i'd prefer a 3m at 20+ knots)
So the 8m low end limit would be the waterstart since it can park in almost no wind, right?
I never imagined having a 8m kite for riding under 10knots.
Worst case scenario the swim with a kite this size it´s not that bad if you can pack it quickly.
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exactly.
the big positive for looking for those absolute low ends....you get a lot of practice learning to loop and work your kite efficiently
Elguapo. Can you please comment about 8 turning speed vs 5m or some LEI equivalent. Also bar forces bar size - meaning general handling vs smaller peaks
I was die hard about closed cell for LW but maybe 8 is not so bad compromise...