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Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

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fernmanus
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Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

Postby fernmanus » Tue Mar 02, 2021 7:10 pm

#1 reason - it is a viable alternative to hydrofoiling in light wind. I am not knocking hydrofoiling, but I prefer the simplicity of a big kite and big board in light wind to the hydrofoil.

I weigh 186 kg and I have been kiting for 20 years. I have flown big foils in light winds since FS introduced the Speed Air.

I have been flying a FS 23m VMG2 both on the snow and water. I can tell you it is a lot more fun than the 21m Soul in light wind. It is not that you gain much more low-end riding on the water, sub 8 knots it still only doable with a hydrofoil. However, in 10 - 12 knots the VMG is a lot more fun. Boosting is better, more power and just as much top-end as the Soul 21. I found that it is much easier to hit 10m boosts on the 23 VMG2 than on the 21m Soul.

The downside to the VMG2 is it is designed for racing with super light bridles and fabric. It also has fiberglass spars. I say ditch the spars for more robust bridling and fabric. Build a 23m Sonic 3 as an alternative to hydrofoiling in light wind.

As far as snowkiting goes, a huge Sonic would also be incredible. I prefer the performance of the Sonic over the Soul on the snow. A really big Sonic would be terrific for pulling through deep powder on light wind days.

Perhaps, I am just dreaming... In the meantime, I will keep babying my 23m VMG2 as it is the bomb on light wind days.

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Re: Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

Postby joriws » Tue Mar 02, 2021 7:28 pm

Did you notice 21m Sonic 3 was released today/yesterday.

fernmanus
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Re: Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

Postby fernmanus » Tue Mar 02, 2021 7:49 pm

. Did you notice 21m Sonic 3 was released today/yesterday.
No, thank you, that is excellent news!

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Re: Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

Postby papasmerf » Tue Mar 02, 2021 11:59 pm

fernmanus wrote:
Tue Mar 02, 2021 7:10 pm
#1 reason - it is a viable alternative to hydrofoiling in light wind. I am not knocking hydrofoiling, but I prefer the simplicity of a big kite and big board in light wind to the hydrofoil.

I weigh 186 kg and I have been kiting for 20 years. I have flown big foils in light winds since FS introduced the Speed Air.

I have been flying a FS 23m VMG2 both on the snow and water. I can tell you it is a lot more fun than the 21m Soul in light wind. It is not that you gain much more low-end riding on the water, sub 8 knots it still only doable with a hydrofoil. However, in 10 - 12 knots the VMG is a lot more fun. Boosting is better, more power and just as much top-end as the Soul 21. I found that it is much easier to hit 10m boosts on the 23 VMG2 than on the 21m Soul.

The downside to the VMG2 is it is designed for racing with super light bridles and fabric. It also has fiberglass spars. I say ditch the spars for more robust bridling and fabric. Build a 23m Sonic 3 as an alternative to hydrofoiling in light wind.

As far as snowkiting goes, a huge Sonic would also be incredible. I prefer the performance of the Sonic over the Soul on the snow. A really big Sonic would be terrific for pulling through deep powder on light wind days.

Perhaps, I am just dreaming... In the meantime, I will keep babying my 23m VMG2 as it is the bomb on light wind days.
Are you sure you weigh that much? 😂

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Re: Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

Postby fernmanus » Wed Mar 03, 2021 1:04 am

. Are you sure you weigh that much? 😂
186 kg is only a svelte 410 LBS. If that were true, I am sure that I would be the world’s heaviest Kitesurfer. 😎

It was a typo, I weigh 86 kg. 👍

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Re: Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

Postby grigorib » Wed Mar 03, 2021 1:27 am

fernmanus wrote:
Wed Mar 03, 2021 1:04 am
. Are you sure you weigh that much? 😂
186 kg is only a svelte 410 LBS. If that were true, I am sure that I would be the world’s heaviest Kitesurfer. 😎

It was a typo, I weigh 86 kg. 👍
You got me puzzled at that for sure.
At my 90 kilos the 15m Turbine on 30-37m lines and15m Sonic rocked on 170x50cm FlydoorXL for me.
It’s kinda cool you can handle 21m but for me the 19m Speed3 was way too big and inefficient

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Re: Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

Postby fernmanus » Wed Mar 03, 2021 3:25 am

. You got me puzzled at that for sure.
At my 90 kilos the 15m Turbine on 30-37m lines and15m Sonic rocked on 170x50cm FlydoorXL for me.
It’s kinda cool you can handle 21m but for me the 19m Speed3 was way too big and inefficient
30 -37m lines!!! I haven’t flown lines that long since the early days. Your 15m Sonic probably looks like a 9m on regular length lines. 😜. Long lines do wonders in low wind conditions, but the steering feels so sloppy. Do you use thin diameter lines to lessen the drag?

The range on a 21m Soul is far better than a 19m Speed 3. If you get a chance, try a 18 or 21m Sonic. I think you will be surprised by the top-end.

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Re: Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

Postby grigorib » Wed Mar 03, 2021 4:14 am

fernmanus wrote:
Wed Mar 03, 2021 3:25 am
. You got me puzzled at that for sure.
At my 90 kilos the 15m Turbine on 30-37m lines and15m Sonic rocked on 170x50cm FlydoorXL for me.
It’s kinda cool you can handle 21m but for me the 19m Speed3 was way too big and inefficient
30 -37m lines!!! I haven’t flown lines that long since the early days. Your 15m Sonic probably looks like a 9m on regular length lines. 😜. Long lines do wonders in low wind conditions, but the steering feels so sloppy. Do you use thin diameter lines to lessen the drag?

The range on a 21m Soul is far better than a 19m Speed 3. If you get a chance, try a 18 or 21m Sonic. I think you will be surprised by the top-end.
30-37m lines were only for Turbine. Tried it once on 59m - then it looked like 8m size :)
My foil kites were older, I’m sure modern race kites are pleasure to fly

Back to lines - now my 30m set are Ozone race lines, previously I flew Liquid Force 23+7+7 regular lines:extensions

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Re: Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

Postby leeuwen » Wed Mar 03, 2021 9:12 am

Not sure how much it costs to develop and produce a slightly larger version but it's probably a pretty small market.
You need people:
* Who don't use a hydrofoil
* Want to ride in marginal winds
* Have the cash to spend 3K on a kite
* Who prefer a sonic over something like a Soul
* Actually adds revenue to the market: ( if they just buy the 21m instead they don't lose out on a sale )
* Who prefer some extra power over a kite that is somewhat faster to maneuver

I think the market is pretty darn small.
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Re: Why FS should consider adding a 23m Sonic 3 to their lineup

Postby downunder » Wed Mar 03, 2021 2:44 pm

Ummm,

U are 86kg and dreaming about the power? :naughty:

Mate, we have 110kg+ kiter who owned Dynos in biggest sizes and killing it on surfboards AND tt's...Also 20years kiting. Its not the kite u need. Its the wind.
Location, location, location.... ;)


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