Spotted a Slingshot UFO Aluula prototype

[jakemoore]

Here go Peak4. Quite lighter than UFOs. They should make them out of Lotus or in Deluxe to save time more weight

Peak 4 is already made of the light stuff. Similar material choice as the Soul there the back 3/4 is light and part a silicone/polyurethane hybrid coating. The front 1/4 is made of more durable ripstop.

Looks like Regis-de-geins has a custom ultralight single skin on order. So it looks like there is a buyer for a lighter Peak.

If a strutless or one-strut could bridge half the weight difference between and Cloud and a Peak in 5m and come in just over 1 kg then it is going to be a winner.

[jakemoore]

Here is a question:
*IF* a UFO and a peak4 of comparable power weighed the SAME due to lei material advancements, which kite would drift better?

The Peak with more even weight distribution and loss of shape when line tension is lost with move downwind better and fall to the the water more slowly.

But the UFO with its structure more likely recover from loss of control. With its smooth trailing edge it will regain smooth air-flow over the sail faster. The UFO is also more likely to survive being washed by breaking waves than even hybrid single skins and more likely to float to the beach in the event it needs to be released in the water.

[grigorib]

Here go Peak4. Quite lighter than UFOs. They should make them out of Lotus or in Deluxe to save time more weight

Peak 4 is already made of the light stuff. Similar material choice as the Soul there the back 3/4 is light and part a silicone/polyurethane hybrid coating. The front 1/4 is made of more durable ripstop.

Looks like Regis-de-geins has a custom ultralight single skin on order. So it looks like there is a buyer for a lighter Peak.

If a strutless or one-strut could bridge half the weight difference between and Cloud and a Peak in 5m and come in just over 1 kg then it is going to be a winner.

Lightweight is great. Drift is interesting point. But I’d like to see someone of same weight ride a Peak of comparable size in the same wind and deliver same looping power, stalls, spins, walking the dog and all the pretty things with the kite. Not even talking about relaunch.
So far I’ve seen the most boring kite flying out of Peak riders and horrible relaunches.
I’ll be in OBX in April and in HR in May and July. Let’s compare them once and someone please prove me wrong

[leeuwen]

Here is a question:
*IF* a UFO and a peak4 of comparable power weighed the SAME due to lei material advancements, which kite would drift better?

I think we won’t see much of a difference there.
It’s selling point (next to relaunch) will be that it’s not a one trick pony riding waves kite like a peak.
If you also want some lift for the kite for your freeriding/tacks/jumps etc this can be a good allinone alternative rather then getting both a peak for waves and whatever other kite for everything else.

Pricing might also be less of an issue for people who switch 2 kites for one. It might be a good enough compromise and gets the convenience of needing less gear.

[drsurf]

Here is a question:
*IF* a UFO and a peak4 of comparable power weighed the SAME due to lei material advancements, which kite would drift better?

Given the relatively flat profile of the Peak compared to the UFO there is more area exposed to the wind so I'd say the Peak would drift better.

However the Peak is way ahead in speed and ease of setup and take down, it's considerably less expensive and based on my experience since the release of the Peak4, it will last longer