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Foiling kite 8-13kn on a budget

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DonaldM
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Foiling kite 8-13kn on a budget

Postby DonaldM » Mon Sep 07, 2020 12:01 pm

Hi All,

I've read quite a few posts on here, but can't find the specific answer to my question. Which (and what type) of kite would be best for my needs. So i would like to ask you foiling gods directly :)

I'm an intermediate foiler (mostly at sea in NL). I currently use my wave kite quiver NEO 6 & 9m from about 12-20kn, anything more i take my TT or waveboard. Anything below 12-13 knots my 9m tends to drop & isn't able to get me going. I also own a 12m NEO but i've been told the difference in light wind between the 9 and the 12 are limited. Can anyone confirm?

I'm looking to see if it's worth to add a kite to my quiver for range of 8-13 kn, but on a budget. I don't really want to spend 1k euros on a second hand soul atm (i've spent too much on gear already this year).

My ambition in foiling is to play in waves, and do some mellow cruising along the coast (and who knows a bit of jumping). I won't be racing. I own a F-one TS51, 85cm alu mast, IC6 850cm2 wing. I'm 76kg.

Recently some 10-12 meter Flysurfer speed's 3,4&5 have come online secondhand in a variety of price ranges. They seem like they would do the trick, but does any of you have experience? how do they do in waves? Is it recommended to use a foilkite at sea (or would a single strut be better)? How is the relaunch in light wind? Or should I be looking at other kites?

(what I've read so far is that the Lotus cloth on the 4&5 is worth it?)

Thanks a bunch for helping out.
Last edited by DonaldM on Mon Sep 07, 2020 1:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Foiling kite 8-13kn on a budget

Postby Onda » Mon Sep 07, 2020 1:05 pm

Very easy to answer!
Get yourself a Flysurfer Peak4 in 8 or 11 m².
I have the 5 m² and I can tell you it is unreal in terms of light wind stability and playfulness, particularly if you plan to use it in waves. It drifts insanely! There is simply no comparison possible with any LEI-kite, simply another dimension. I use my 5 m² Peak in 12-17 kts with a Moses 633, I´m 75 kg.
You can buy it new for less than you would pay for most used LEI kites! The official RRP is below €700 for the 8 m² Peak. And you can buy it for less, actually, if you search for the right shop.
Try, it. You won´t regret it. And don´t worry about the problematic water relaunch. This kite simply never drops.
Maybe we will meet at Wijk / Ijmuiden / Ouddorp / Maasvlakte one day, then you can try it :D

If you don´t want a foil kite, then I´d recommend the Naish Boxer 2019/2020. Very good foiling kite for a LEI, and it is quite cheap. No relevant changes between the 2020 and 2021 models, so go for the older model. It already has the 4x4 canopy material ("Quad-Tex") which is quite good.

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Re: Foiling kite 8-13kn on a budget

Postby Jyoder » Mon Sep 07, 2020 1:22 pm

Any mainstream 10-12m closed cell foil kite could work if you’re on budget and price is right but you won’t have an easy time wave riding with it in that wind. An 850cm2 foil is considered small and fast today (I ride a 710cm2 with 11m or 15m closed cell race kite in that wind), so you need a little more power than if you had a 1200cm2 foil where you could use a drifty 8m or 11m Peak4 or similar.

If you really want to wave ride, you’ll have to spend more for newer foil kite, and may need a bigger hydrofoil too.
If you just want to cruise, a dirt cheap old speed could work but it will have more downsides.

Don’t count out 10 or 12m ultra light LEI either. But again, for low end wave-oriented drifting performance, you may end up having to pay more.

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Re: Foiling kite 8-13kn on a budget

Postby Windigo1 » Mon Sep 07, 2020 1:25 pm

Personally I use a single strut 12m Airush Ultra for that wind range. The wind can die for several minutes and it usually will come back at my home spot so I prefer an inflatable kite that will relaunch every time and will float if I have to swim with it. If you live by the ocean and the wind is ligth and steady a foil kite like a 12m Soul would work great.
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Janus
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Re: Foiling kite 8-13kn on a budget

Postby Janus » Mon Sep 07, 2020 1:35 pm

--disclaimer-- though i recommen the P4 there is no comparison possible in playfulness of the P4 in 5m and the bigger sizes.. they are not playfulness at all.. my experience is with the 11m.. don't know the 8m.
I enjoy the 11m in marginal winds till 12 kts and it is great.. all stated before on the Peak4 topic..
when the wind is 12 kts it's playtime for the 5m but you say you look for 8-13kts.. perhaps an P4 8m will do the trick but try it first is my advice.
And indeed a bigger surf wing will bring the best for wave riding and the drift of the Peak's

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Re: Foiling kite 8-13kn on a budget

Postby DonaldM » Mon Sep 07, 2020 2:21 pm

Thanks for the replies so far (somehow my post is gone, or is that just me?). @Onda when i see a peak4 going nuts on one of those places, i'll see if i can have a chat ;) It's a fair point that it'll be more cruising than wave riding in that wind range.

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Re: Foiling kite 8-13kn on a budget

Postby Peter_Frank » Mon Sep 07, 2020 8:01 pm

If you want to go down to 8 to 10 knots, the Peak4 in 8 m2 can do the job and half price of other typical kites.

The 5 m2 and smaller are in a league of their own when 11 knots and up.

But below the 8 m2 works fine, and perfect if on a budget :thumb:

8) Peter

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Re: Foiling kite 8-13kn on a budget

Postby lightwind » Mon Sep 07, 2020 8:45 pm

Check the Gong Unik or Strutless. I have both of them and Strutless in size 10 is perfect for light wind foiling. Unik size 10.2 also. Very budget friendly and good quality kites.

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Re: Foiling kite 8-13kn on a budget

Postby Johnnyrotten204 » Tue Sep 08, 2020 1:24 am

Seems like we have similar setups. I have Naish Slash (3 strut wave kite) 6-9 for foiling, when wind drops below 13 kts I move over to 11m single strut Boxer. That takes me down to around 9 kts with line extensions.

Obviously you could go lower with foil kites and all that, but I'm not a fan of swimming wet foil kites home. If the wind dies I just clip the kite onto my back and swim back on the foil.

I'm happy with my setup, would buy a foil kite if my girlfriend wanted to spend $1500 for my birthday but till then I'm not making changes.

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Re: Foiling kite 8-13kn on a budget

Postby Peter_Frank » Tue Sep 08, 2020 6:23 am

A Flysurfer Peak4 in 8 m2 cost around 800 dollar new, and you can use any 4 line bar you got.

Even if the wind drops, it is really hard to get it in the water...

Upper range is not huge, but you got tube kites here, so no need.

Your main problem was your tubes falling down when light, this won't happen with the Peak, and about half price of other kites :naughty:

8) Peter


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