Concept Air Firefly 8 Meter
Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2020 7:21 pm
Yesterday I had my first try of the Firefly 8. The wind was 8 to 12 knots at the local wind meter. I weigh 80 kg. and was on a floaty board and the Slingshot Infinity 76 foil. I was in a large fresh water lake with a long distance that the wind was coming across the lake. So the wind was pretty clean. I was well powered up the whole time I was out except for when the wind dropped to 8 knots or slightly below. The power spike was not large but the pull from the kite was strong and consistent. The kite turns reasonably quickly but does not move very fast across the wind window in those conditions. Just before I dove the kite to get up on the board I did not think I had enough wind. I was up easily and on foil right away, well powered. The kite does not have a large power spike once the wind wind gets below about 8 knots, it still flies well but has little pull. As soon as there is enough wind you know it as there is lots of pull to put you on the board. Gybing was easy with this kite as the kite sits back a bit in the window and has a constant pull as it moves across. So the lines do not go slack easily while turning. I used a bar with a long depower throw and to take full advantage of the depower it was useful. Since this a Firefly version 2 with the updated bridle there is not much flapping depowered but rather all you feel is a slight fluttering on the bar and it not very noticeable. While I out there was twin tippers were using 14.5 kites and large twin tips and for the most part could not go very far upwind until the wind reached 12 knots. I had no problem going upwind but nowhere near as high as I would have with my 9 meter closed cell kite. I drift launched the kite in waste deep water in 9 to 11 knots and had no problem. Once the kite has drifted out to the end of the lines you have to give a series light tugs on the center lines to get it to stand up on it's tail. Once there it takes off easily. In more wind it would have been faster. Laying in the water the kite takes in very little water unlike my full closed cell kites. I am not sure it is for every kiter but I really like it for easy fun foiling. I also have a Peak 4 8 meter that I have foiled with. They are similar with the big different being the Firefly relaunches easily. I think the Peak will fly in a bit less wind comfortably although the Firefly stay up in quite light wind. The Peak appears to depower a bit more and may turn a bit slower. They produce power a little differently but you would have to try them both to see the difference as it is subtle. The Peak flaps more when depowered. I am very happy with my purchase.