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Single strut vs surf kites

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MadDoggy
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Single strut vs surf kites

Postby MadDoggy » Sat Jan 21, 2023 8:45 pm

Hi all,

I’m not looking to buy any new kites in the next few months but I was thinking about this question for down the track.

I understand that single strut and no strut kites are better than surf kites at low wind flying because they stay in the air in less wind due to less weight but if you are flying in medium to higher wind conditions, do the performance characteristics make flying surf kites better?

If this is the case, wouldn’t you be best to have a quiver of surf kites for medium and strong wind and to have one kite with no or single strut fir that low wind condition.

From what I understand surf kites have better drift, have better stability in the air within their given wind range, can handle more wind, don’t get overpowered as easy and can release more power through sheeting out vs single/no strut kites.

Interested to hear everyone’s views. Thanks in advance for your input…

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vakiter
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Re: Single strut vs surf kites

Postby vakiter » Sat Jan 21, 2023 9:19 pm

I think some single struts are dumbed down on the bridals for accessibility . I have not tested that many though.

12m flite is a pretty good light wind kite and is 3strut .
Ozone Reo I like more than alpha .

Long lines are Also great for hf low end .
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MadDoggy (Sat Jan 21, 2023 10:04 pm)
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Axis1050
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Re: Single strut vs surf kites

Postby Axis1050 » Sun Jan 22, 2023 7:09 am

Agree with longer lines.
I use 30m plus race lines which enables a smaller kite to be used, I have BRM Clouds.
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Peter_Frank
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Re: Single strut vs surf kites

Postby Peter_Frank » Sun Jan 22, 2023 9:07 am

MadDoggy wrote:
Sat Jan 21, 2023 8:45 pm
Hi all,

I’m not looking to buy any new kites in the next few months but I was thinking about this question for down the track.

I understand that single strut and no strut kites are better than surf kites at low wind flying because they stay in the air in less wind due to less weight but if you are flying in medium to higher wind conditions, do the performance characteristics make flying surf kites better?

If this is the case, wouldn’t you be best to have a quiver of surf kites for medium and strong wind and to have one kite with no or single strut fir that low wind condition.

From what I understand surf kites have better drift, have better stability in the air within their given wind range, can handle more wind, don’t get overpowered as easy and can release more power through sheeting out vs single/no strut kites.

Interested to hear everyone’s views. Thanks in advance for your input…

Spot on, and how many do it.

Use their "normal" kites for everything also kitefoil when medium wind and up. .

Then a lighter kite for light wind hydrofoiling.
Which can also be used on occasion on other boards.
I have done this with hydrofoils and waveboards earlier.

8) Peter
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MadDoggy (Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:57 am)
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MadDoggy
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Re: Single strut vs surf kites

Postby MadDoggy » Sun Jan 22, 2023 10:07 am

Peter_Frank wrote:
Sun Jan 22, 2023 9:07 am
MadDoggy wrote:
Sat Jan 21, 2023 8:45 pm
Hi all,

I’m not looking to buy any new kites in the next few months but I was thinking about this question for down the track.

I understand that single strut and no strut kites are better than surf kites at low wind flying because they stay in the air in less wind due to less weight but if you are flying in medium to higher wind conditions, do the performance characteristics make flying surf kites better?

If this is the case, wouldn’t you be best to have a quiver of surf kites for medium and strong wind and to have one kite with no or single strut fir that low wind condition.

From what I understand surf kites have better drift, have better stability in the air within their given wind range, can handle more wind, don’t get overpowered as easy and can release more power through sheeting out vs single/no strut kites.

Interested to hear everyone’s views. Thanks in advance for your input…

Spot on, and how many do it.

Use their "normal" kites for everything also kitefoil when medium wind and up. .

Then a lighter kite for light wind hydrofoiling.
Which can also be used on occasion on other boards.
I have done this with hydrofoils and waveboards earlier.

8) Peter

Sorry Peter do you mean to say you agree with me, that the optimum quiver would be a one or no strut for kitefoiling in light wind and surf kites for kite foiling say above 12 knots?

I’m really keen to fully understand your take because a do trust your sound judgement on this forum from passed posts.

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Re: Single strut vs surf kites

Postby Peter_Frank » Sun Jan 22, 2023 11:44 am

Exactly, I agree with you and how most do it :thumb:
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MadDoggy (Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:57 am)
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rnelias
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Re: Single strut vs surf kites

Postby rnelias » Sun Jan 22, 2023 1:35 pm

MadDoggy wrote:
Sun Jan 22, 2023 10:07 am

... the optimum quiver would be a one or no strut for kitefoiling in light wind and surf kites for kite foiling say above 12 knots?
It's probably what most people do :thumb:

In my case, a 1-struct for HF and 5-struct for TT as I don't surf

There are some few kite options that could cover HF/wave but they're usually more expensive.

I'd include: OR Crave or Roam HL ($$) or A-Series ($$$), Kaupner Maveric ($), Duotone Neo SLS ($$) or D-Lab ($$$).

All of them are 3-struct wave kites (except Crave that is marketed as strapless wave kite)

The lightest regular/standard/dacron wave kite that I know is Reo (Ozone).

I've recently got a Crave 9m HL (1.1k usd) but only had 2 sessions on this kite, both in strong winds. It's a 3-struct kite lighter than loyal Boxer 9m ;)
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MadDoggy (Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:57 am)
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Windigo1
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Re: Single strut vs surf kites

Postby Windigo1 » Sun Jan 22, 2023 2:08 pm

If you wish to surf then surf kites are the best option for sure but there is still and advantage to have smaller strutless or single strut for foiling. Even in decent wind when you are foiling and going downwind very fast the very light kite will drift better and stay in the air much better. When you go downwind the speed at which you go downwind gets subtracted from the wind speed and even in pretty good wind it may be hard to keep a heavier kite in the air vs a very light one.

But in general your logic is good! That's the reason I have always stayed away from heavy light wind kites with 5 or more struts!
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Re: Single strut vs surf kites

Postby IWantToFly » Sun Jan 22, 2023 5:14 pm

I’ve never heard anyone claim 3-strut surf kites drift better than one-strut or strutless or single-skin kites. They will be more stable, sure, because they maintain their structure better.
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MadDoggy (Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:55 am)
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Trent hink
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Re: Single strut vs surf kites

Postby Trent hink » Sun Jan 22, 2023 8:39 pm

I'm not up to date on the latest gear, but the single and no strut kites that I have tried generally have quite a bit of low-end power for their size, whereas wave-specific kites are generally the opposite; with less low-end than you would expect for the kite size.
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