Re: Flysurfer Soul
Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2018 11:02 am
A quick summery and more insight now that I've ridden the Soul some more:
Vs Sonic2:
The Soul turns much differently. The Sonic2 pivots more on a wind tip and can do so very quickly but without power. It's not hard to basically stall one side of the wind and make it pivot/loop rapidity numerous times. The Soul turns more in a loop from more of the center of the kite. Even if you reach up and turn by pulling a line stopper, it will loop and always with power. Really nice for low wind launches and I'm hoping once I get my 8m that I will find a foil that will be capable of some kite kiteloop jumps.
The Soul is much more airtight, even compared to a new Sonic2. It will sit on the water longer and differently than the Sonic so it will relaunch much easier. I've only had my Soul out at very low winds (10kts max) and it's amazing how it somehow catches the breeze and will relaunch. I haven't beable to do the one line relaunch like is advertised, but I bet in stronger winds, it's possible.
The depower is much more direct. After a kiteloop/downloop on a Sonic2, I use to be able to let go of the bar so it untwists on its own. I have to watch that with the Soul on the very low end because it has depowered enough to stop me from planning on the water.
Launching is different, more pulling the bar side to side to get the wing tips to fill but still pretty quick. Again this has all be on the low end of the wind range and expect it to be easier with more wind.
I have now about 6 or so hours on the kite both on twin tip and hydrofoil. I have grown to like the kite much more. It allows me to ride my twintip (134) below 10 kts and stay upwind(even though it's more of a battle than on a Sonic2). With the hydrofoil, it allows more mistakes and is much easier to ride downwind without the kite collapsing. The loops are very powerful which is a great tool but I'm still getting use to the sudden power. I don't think it rolls up as nicely as the Sonic2 and I really am disappointed with the new bag from Flysurfer. I have an 8m on preorder and I am planning on trying to Megaloop it which means sore knees in my future.
People are claiming the ability to hydrofoil with the Soul 10m at around 6kts, and I believe it. It's very direct and fast which allows for good hangtime in jumps if you can keep the kite moving.
Let me know what other questions you might have. If you have flown foils exclusively like I have for awhile, it is an adjustment but again, the more I fly it, the better I like it. I still love my Sonic2. It's a fantastic kite and I will most likely get the next gen(if it's named the Sonic3 or Speed6). My opinion still is that the Sonic is still the better large foil kite if you have the skills to get everything out of it but this Soul 15 is slowly changing my mind on that so who knows.
Vs Sonic2:
The Soul turns much differently. The Sonic2 pivots more on a wind tip and can do so very quickly but without power. It's not hard to basically stall one side of the wind and make it pivot/loop rapidity numerous times. The Soul turns more in a loop from more of the center of the kite. Even if you reach up and turn by pulling a line stopper, it will loop and always with power. Really nice for low wind launches and I'm hoping once I get my 8m that I will find a foil that will be capable of some kite kiteloop jumps.
The Soul is much more airtight, even compared to a new Sonic2. It will sit on the water longer and differently than the Sonic so it will relaunch much easier. I've only had my Soul out at very low winds (10kts max) and it's amazing how it somehow catches the breeze and will relaunch. I haven't beable to do the one line relaunch like is advertised, but I bet in stronger winds, it's possible.
The depower is much more direct. After a kiteloop/downloop on a Sonic2, I use to be able to let go of the bar so it untwists on its own. I have to watch that with the Soul on the very low end because it has depowered enough to stop me from planning on the water.
Launching is different, more pulling the bar side to side to get the wing tips to fill but still pretty quick. Again this has all be on the low end of the wind range and expect it to be easier with more wind.
I have now about 6 or so hours on the kite both on twin tip and hydrofoil. I have grown to like the kite much more. It allows me to ride my twintip (134) below 10 kts and stay upwind(even though it's more of a battle than on a Sonic2). With the hydrofoil, it allows more mistakes and is much easier to ride downwind without the kite collapsing. The loops are very powerful which is a great tool but I'm still getting use to the sudden power. I don't think it rolls up as nicely as the Sonic2 and I really am disappointed with the new bag from Flysurfer. I have an 8m on preorder and I am planning on trying to Megaloop it which means sore knees in my future.
People are claiming the ability to hydrofoil with the Soul 10m at around 6kts, and I believe it. It's very direct and fast which allows for good hangtime in jumps if you can keep the kite moving.
Let me know what other questions you might have. If you have flown foils exclusively like I have for awhile, it is an adjustment but again, the more I fly it, the better I like it. I still love my Sonic2. It's a fantastic kite and I will most likely get the next gen(if it's named the Sonic3 or Speed6). My opinion still is that the Sonic is still the better large foil kite if you have the skills to get everything out of it but this Soul 15 is slowly changing my mind on that so who knows.