Postby elmarco » Fri Jul 31, 2020 4:23 pm
I was out the other day in 6-7 knots on my 10m Ultra and 800cm wing. I didn't have enough juice to get going, but the kite was staying in the area. I waited for the wind for 20 min or so, didn't drop the kite at all. I think if I was on my 1300cm surf wing I could've been riding, but I brought the wrong wing.
Another guy was out on his 14.5m Aluula trying to foil without too much success. He is a good kiter, but new to foiling, so couldn't nail the light wind technique.
He gave me his 14.5 Aluula, I got up for 1 tack, wind died another 1 knot or so, and I was skunked, not enough power to ride, but kite still in the air.
This whole time there was another guy on a 9m Ultra waiting for the wind, kite was in the air the entire time (40 min or so)
The 14.5 Aluula I no doubt had more power than the 10m Ultra, but I was still under powered and could've used a few more knots, where I know if it picked up a few more knots, the Ultra 10m would've worked anyways.
So, point is, like jkrug said, both kites do well in light wind, and the Aluula is a lighter kite so it should do a hair better, but is it worth the extra money?
Well, put it this way, would you rather have a 1 single brand new Aluula? 2 brand new Ultras? or 3 last years Ultras?
The evolution of materials is exciting, but it's a serious premium to be the first kid on the block with it.
It will be more interesting once more brands can play with it and mature the kite design specifically for these lighter stronger materials such as Aluula.