Flysurfer Peak 4

[geron]

If you can tack well with a 3m peak you can tack anything.

I like that chalenge

[geron]

I don't really use the kite's lift, only pop the foil before switching feet

I will practice this, thanks.

[geron]

I find Peter's explanation of the use of the power in the small peaks very good.

With the 8m (on light wind then) it is different (I wonder if a 80cm bar on short lines might make the 8m work in a more similar way).

[Flyboy]

No question, you need a power spike to get up on the foil ... but it's still nothing like the power spike you need to jump. Smaller kites deliver a quick power spike through their ability to move quickly through the power window ... as opposed to big, high aspect kites which deliver a long powerful power spike - Ozone Edge, or foil kites - good for floaty jumps, or C kites which deliver a quick, explosive power spike. Yes, you want a power spike when turning with a foil ... but a quick one that you can turn off easily - like a Cloud or Peak4. Small kites inherently turn much faster than bigger kites & can deliver a modest power spike even when not that powered up.

[Peter_Frank]

I find Peter's explanation of the use of the power in the small peaks very good.

With the 8m (on light wind then) it is different (I wonder if a 80cm bar on short lines might make the 8m work in a more similar way).

It does not....

I am using a long bar also for the 8.

I have changed to longer lines with the 8 m2, as it is a different kind of breed than 6-5-4-3.

Meaning, because it is slower both turning and flying, you hardly get much more low end than the 5 or 6, but a lot worse turning kite.

Whereas, with 5-6 m longer lines, you can ride in 2-3 knots less wind now (but NOT ride waves nor turn like the smaller ones, because of the kitesize, not the lines)


Regarding tacking - indeed it is A LOT harder to learn, with small fast kites.

Use a really big kite, as it gives you float and a lot more time to learn.
Even better, foilkites that can be depowered a lot and fly overhead, and then lift as long as you need.

Of course, if talented and WHEN learned, you can go down to smaller kites maybe - but not for learning.

Peter

[geron]

Thanks Peter, I will try to learn to tack with another kite (might be the more sensible way).

I do like the 8m with 27m lines allot for light wind because it helps me go upwind better than the 5m and has more reserve power to start. I wonder how much better will the 6m be with this long lines. I think that long lines have more drag and don't help with upwind ability.

[Peter_Frank]

I dont know, but not sure longer lines help much on the 6 m2.

On the 5 I dont find them needed, as it flies and turns so well (the 6 does too), that I dont really gain power from longer lines I think, it will just give a longer delay probably, and more linedrag.

But I dont know, have only flown the 6 once, still.

On the 8 m2 though, I also by far prefer 27 m lines, no doubt - and use it as my lightwind fun kite in 8-9 knots.

One really fun thing to do with the 5 and 6 and 8, is, in particular if you ride in front of another foiler, fly the kite normally 45 to 60 degree up, and pull the bar in and turn the kite pinwheeling on the spot, let the bar out again and you just ride on straight all the time like nothing has happened - and then do it the other way around shortly after, to rotate lines out.

If the rider behind you have never seen this before, he or she will be amazed !!!

And really fun anyways, just DOING it

Peter

[Jyoder]

Brand new Peak 4m in 15-20, gusting to 30knots. Right wingtip folded every time i tried to tack to once side, just as I sheeted out bringing the kite through 12 o’clock. Didn’t happen to other side. Gusty offshore winds so expect some instability but the asymmetry is worrisome of kite issue.

Anyone experience this?

I’M experienced with foil kites and the bridle is intact and not twisted. Haven’t started measuring anything yet though.

[Trent hink]

Sounds like maybe you were overpowered. The lower leading edge tends to fold toward the trailing edge if you depower too much. Sheeting in regains control but it might be more power than you can handle.

At this point the kite will be flapping a lot and you would probably be better off on a smaller kite.

Or maybe much shorter lines?

[LeoLeal]

Guys, I don't know if it off topic, but I have been thinking about get a SuP foil to do some short downwind, board around 6.0 and front wing 2000 ~2500cm². So the idea is going downwind for 4 km only with a SuP Board and then using a Peak4 to come back. This last part doesn't need to be fun, just doable.
Let's say wind around 15knots do you think this could work?
Which Peak should I get? 5 or 4?