Slingshot Ghost V2

[galewarning]

I asked this question in the UFO/Ghost V2 general forum thread, but essentially all posts are on the UFO.
So... Anyone have experience riding the Ghost V2? Only foiling experience I have with a single strut was with a LF Solo, which I didn't really like. Most of my other foiling experience is with 9 and 7 m UFO V1.1s. I like the UFOs, except for what I consider a narrow wind range. My thought is the lighter Ghost V2 is as light as the UFO 1.1 and the single strut will offer more range. Maybe enough range to even be used with a surfboard. Oops... this is the Hydrofoil forum...
Thanks in advance,
-Barry

[oceanromeo]

Following this topic with interest and keen to hear others thoughts too. I have 6 and 8 V2 Ghosts in the back of the van but during this summer have always grabbed 5, 7 or 9 UFO V2’s for my ‘intermediate level’ foiling. When I picked up the Ghosts I also had a surfboard and intended to mainly use them with that but now I am purely foiling. My buddy also only foils and uses 4, 6, 8 and 10 Airush Ultra’s. They’re single strut and he swears by them.
I use a 4m V1 Ghost in anything over 20 knots. It’s a great kite in those winds for me at 65 kilos and is a real confidence booster when it comes to re-launch...it just pops off the water with very little bar input. I expect the V2’s would do the same. I’m foiling with a Slingshot Phantasm 633 so I’m generally on a size or two smaller kite than most other foilers.
I’ve only flown the V2’s once, with a surfboard. First impressions are that they’re super responsive. I used a 20” Slingshot Sentry Control Bar.
I see me using the Ghost more so as winter approaches when less people on the water and the swell is bigger. Re-launch might be my issue in those conditions with a no strut kite although I have never had an issue re-launching my 5 and 7 UFO’s. The 9m has proved more trying but then at my weight (and foil) I was using it in around 10 knots with lows below that. I’m on the 7m around 12 knots and the 5m works a treat in not much more.
I clearly have too much choice and I love the UFO’s but you have spurred me on to go out next session with a V2 Ghost.
Apologies I’ve not really answered your question but I hope to provide more feedback in due course.
ps. You might want to edit the spelling in the thread title. I’m sure that that was just a slip of the finger.

[galewarning]

Re: Typo - Somebody, the admin?, beat me to correcting the "Slugshot" typo. However, my smallest kite, a 5m SST [V5?], is heavy enough foiling underpowered that I might curse and call it that name. Heft of the SST's bombproof wave construction works against the kite for foiling.

Re: Ghost vs. UFO - I'm toying with getting an 8m UFO V2 and then a 6 and 4m Ghost V2. Or just getting a 4,6,8 all Ghost quiver. I just don't know how much the added weight of a single strut will impact the 8m Ghost at threshold foiling conditions. It's ironic that the strut keeps the canopy from sticking to the water, but it also means more wind is needed to lift the kite and relaunch. Guess I would love to know the wind range of an 8m Ghost V2. If they made a 9m Ghost, I'm probably just buy that, but I'm trying to avoid buying any 10m kite for foiling.

Barry / ~75kg / 633 foil

Following this topic with interest and keen to hear others thoughts too. ...snip...
ps. You might want to edit the spelling in the thread title. I’m sure that that was just a slip of the finger.

[oceanromeo]

Today I took my 6m V2 Ghost out. It’s only the second time I’ve flown it and the first with a foil. It was on the 20” Sentry bar, 20 metre line set with the added 3m extensions. The wind was a little gusty with lows around 14 knots and highs high 20’s. Averaging 19 to 22 knots. I was using the Phantasm 633. There was some sizeable swell. First impressions of the kite was that it was smooth and very responsive. I only ever pulled in a little de power and was not really overpowered throughout my session. I could feel the kite through the bar and knew exactly where it was at all times and the drift was comparable to what I’m used to with my UFO’s. I think the centre strut meant I could point upwind a little more than the UFO. I didn’t stack it today but the added confidence I got from flying a kite with a backbone will be good for the winter sessions when I’m not likely to be surrounded by buddies and the sea state is a little less friendly. Overall very impressed. The 6m was a lovely sized foiling kite for me in today’s wind at under 70 kg.

[oceanromeo]

Really nice session today on my 6m Ghost V2. This time I stuck it in the drink and I had absolutely no issues relaunching it. Wind strength/s similar to Saturday, maybe a little lower. I was using the Phantasm PTM684 front wing which is less in surface area than the 633. Again perfectly powered and great drift. The single strut of the Ghost is a real confidence booster in conditions experienced the last couple of sessions. Being predominantly foil focused I’m sold on single and no strut kites.

[galewarning]

Update: I sold my 7 and 9 m V1.1 UFOs and bought a 8m V2 UFO, yet to be used, as my lightwind/threshold foiling kite. In the spring, I might expand my foiling quiver with a 6 and 4 m V2 Ghost.

I asked this question in the UFO/Ghost V2 general forum thread, but essentially all posts are on the UFO.
So... Anyone have experience riding the Ghost V2? ...
Thanks in advance,
-Barry

[oceanromeo]

At under 70 kilos I think an 8m UFO is a sensible alternative to the 7 and 9. I’m also mulling that one over. The Ghost will give a little more wind range. The 4 and 6m sizes are sweet kites for foiling. You won’t be disappointed.

Update: I sold my 7 and 9 m V1.1 UFOs and bought a 8m V2 UFO, yet to be used, as my lightwind/threshold foiling kite. In the spring, I might expand my foiling quiver with a 6 and 4 m V2 Ghost.

I asked this question in the UFO/Ghost V2 general forum thread, but essentially all posts are on the UFO.
So... Anyone have experience riding the Ghost V2? ...
Thanks in advance,
-Barry