I have a couple of questions that I'd love to put to the group around kite selection please (mostly Ozone based sorry). First, a bit on my profile and what I'm trying to achieve:
Background:
- *I ride a Moses Fluente, weigh 85kgs
*Been foiling for about 18 months / kitesurfing for 6 years
*I like to freeride and go on long distance explorations, no racing - I usually foil when the wind is too light to ride my twin tip enjoyably, which is anywhere from 6-15 knots
*I own a 9M Ozone Hyperlink which I fly with 23m lines and I've had for about 3 months now. Really like the feel and performance of that kite and I'm no stranger to looping the kite a lot in transitions and water starts to maximise it's light wind performance. It does me from around 7-8 knots and up with a bit of board pumping, but is most happy at 10 knots and above.
*I've also demo'd the 11m Chrono V3 and Speed 5 12m. Chrono has amazing low-end for its size and in comparison to the 9m Hyperlink but a lot slower to turn (on 23m lines). A more technical kite for sure in that when pushing it in threshold wind there is only a very subtle warning before the canopy collapses and it falls to the water (you'd eventually dial that in better I think with time), whereas the Hyperlink you just chuck in a quick down loop even if the canopy has lost pressure and it will pull its self out of it. The Speed 5 possibly needed a tune but was a bit of a dog to fly in threshold wind and needed all sorts of rider input to keep it in the air, so I have ruled that out.
Unfortunately I can't demo my two desired kites: the Chrono V3 13m and the Hyperlink 12m in the ultra light fabric so I'm seeking people's opinions on the two kites matched with my background. If I got the Chrono in a 13m I think 15m lines would be mandatory to restore some agility!
Second question is my Hyperlink takes on water really fast. I had forgot about this cause I haven't dunked it in a while now but I gave it to a friend yesterday who did and within 2 mins it had taken on so much water that it couldn't relaunch. I was wondering how this kite's design compares to the Chrono in two specific areas. Firstly the Hyperlinks intake vents are flush mounted on the on the leading edge where as the Chronos are recessed. So if you crash the kite leading edge down it would be harder for water to get in the Chrono (the Speed 5 was even more recessed). Secondly, the wing tips of both kites have a velcro flap to let air (and water) out of. On the Hyperlink, even when sealed there is still a 30mm hole that seems to let water in. Does the Chrono V3 have this too?
Water ingress is important for my second and larger foil kite because I will be pushing it into threshold winds and would prefer a kite that isn't guaranteed unlaunchable in less than 2 mins of being on the water!
Thanks all.