Slingshot fkite choice: Space skate 65 vs Infinity 76

[juandesooka]

I have an H2, H4 (bat wing), and Infinity 84. I am using them for SUP foil, but have tried the H2 and H4 kiting too. The Infinity wing pops up onto foil in anything, it becomes a little challenging for me to keep it in the water with waves bigger than waist high. So I think it would be only useful kiting in the lightest of winds. The 76 is more an all-rounder ... it is SS main surfing wing now and would probably kite well in light winds. It is known for having a surprisingly good high end speed for its size. H2 was the main surfing wing last year, but is now specified for larger waves or for kiting. I have kited this wing, locks in nicely, holds its speed well, feels nice and solid underfoot.

H4 is an odd one. It has lower start speed and lower top speed than both the H2 and 76 wings, making it not very versatile. With an extreme gull wing shape, it really wants to turn. Behind my boat, it felt very unstable; haven't used it surfing. I have tried it kiting a few times and it was really fun, slow and carvey. My surf quiver is now the H2 and 84, but I think I'll keep the H4 for kiting capabilities. [a side opinion: I tend towards the cynical on such things, but the H2/H4 combo were slingshot's main surf offerings in 2017 when introduced; now the H4 is marketed at kiting; I kinda wonder if the surf focus ended up as a design failure, with the kiting aspect a happy accident]

[grigorib]

I hope Slingshot and Moses streamline their wing selection, especially if that would result in more production/demand, more focus onto their key moneymakers and lower prices.

e.g.
- H1 Time Code 68 and H2 Gamma 68 could be both substituted by a single 1000 sq.cm. wing
- H4 Space Skate 65 and Infinity 76 need only one of them.
- H3 Warp Speed 65....damnit who and why would get an aluminum heavy “racey” setup. I bet Slingshot is losing money making those

So a pretty kiting line would be H5 (Time Code 57) -> H1 (Time Code 68) -> Infinity 76. Ok, add Infinity 84 as well

I might be wrong but number of wakefoilers, foilsurfers and foilwindsurfers probably doesn’t cover costs of making and marketing “specific” wings for those disciplines unless you can fool management that making a mold is not that expensive and “inter-discipline hatred” is strong enough for folks to refuse buying “kite gear”

[juandesooka]

Yeah, their 5 wing line, H1 to H5, plus now add in the two Infinity's H6 and H7....has become a bit much.

To me, H1 and H3 seem to be the odd ones out. The H5 (former NF2) is the standard hoverglide kite wing. H2 does double service as a both a lower end kite wing and a higher end surf wing. H4 is a completely different beast, call it the "carvey" model, it stands alone.

I suspect it's easy enough to manage, the molds are done already, just churn them out, gives them flexibility to market various packages cross-specialty. One thing I greatly appreciate is their commitment to interchangeable parts: same fuselage from 2017 to now, fits all wings. B

ut if I had one piece of advice: stop changing the names every year! Having multiple names and codes for each wing is brutal to keep track of, even for people who are bought in, much less for noobs.

[Cefirmeza]

- H3 Warp Speed 65....damnit who and why would get an aluminum heavy “racey” setup. I bet Slingshot is losing money making those

I guess that would be a good choice to increase the top end for just a 100 dollars if you are limited to the H5 speed. Any other “racey” option would require a complete new set.

I just wonder at what level would be worth to someone advance from H5 to H3 wing before moving to something lighter and more expensive.

[Youtch]

I am very glad for the enthusiasm to answer on this thread.

Any more feedback on the behaviour of Infinity 76 specifically for kiting? any difficulty to trigger 360?

[grigorib]

I am very glad for the enthusiasm to answer on this thread.

Any more feedback on the behaviour of Infinity 76 specifically for kiting? any difficulty to trigger 360?

I don't think either of these would limit you in doing 360.
However, sine these are truly lightwind wings you might become bored on them otherwise.
So i'd opt out for H5 + infinity 76 or for H1 as a single wing

- H3 Warp Speed 65....damnit who and why would get an aluminum heavy “racey” setup. I bet Slingshot is losing money making those

I guess that would be a good choice to increase the top end for just a 100 dollars if you are limited to the H5 speed. Any other “racey” option would require a complete new set.

I just wonder at what level would be worth to someone advance from H5 to H3 wing before moving to something lighter and more expensive.

H3 on its own is not a bad size - any smaller rider or anyone trying to go faster might enjoy smaller wing.
But.
the light weight and smoothness of carbon setup is just astonishing. And carbon setup is also very modular - just see all the ghost whisper and/or Moses options.

there are 2 things which must happen:
1. Slingshot to introduce sleek fuselage (which would still fit same wings/stabilizer/mast). It can be lighter by 60% reduction of current
2. manufacturers should target ability to use either aluminum or carbon masts for their setups. $600 price difference for end users is significant enough to make this choice possible.

[Youtch]

I m looking for a foil from 8knts to 18knts, as it matches 80% of the conditions where I leave. If wind goes above, I prefer to go TT or surfboard as it also implies rough sea.

[grigorib]

I m looking for a foil from 8knts to 18knts, as it matches 80% of the conditions where I leave. If wind goes above, I prefer to go TT or surfboard as it also implies rough sea.

what's your current setup?

if you already have H5, then get infinity 76.
if you have none, the Fkite is a nice deal, but I'd recommend GW 91 with 633 which is heavenly. Ghost Whisper to Hoverglide is like skateboarding on smooth concrete to skateboarding on the road.

If you're looking to get best bang for a buck - buy 633/749/483 bottom and macgyver it to aluminum hoverglide mast.

[Peter_Frank]

I m looking for a foil from 8knts to 18knts, as it matches 80% of the conditions where I leave. If wind goes above, I prefer to go TT or surfboard as it also implies rough sea.

You dont need any special foil for this, every foil will work.

Of course you need a 5 m2 kite in 18 knots, unless it is a smallish racy wing, and in 8 knots you can not use your normal 12 m2 really as too heavy, but in 9-10 knots it works just dandy, actually you will soon be overpowered with the wings in this discussion so better use a 10 m2 from 10 knots.

I saw you wrote: "any difficulty to trigger 360?"
What does that mean???

If talking about making flying 360s with the foil, they are all gonna work fine for this too, even race wings can do it.

Dont overthink this, just get one of them (and not too short mast for your conditions), it is just like when new on waveboards

PF

[Youtch]

I have 9m ultra, and I was betting on a big wing like infinity 76 to get my 80kg started as early as 8knts (although i might be dreaming).

What I love about Slingshot is that they have got rid of the sharp edge on the side of the wing, I saw a guy who got 5 points on the leg after a very bad wound with the foil, and I decided to go for something safer.
I m confused why other brand did not come up with similar moves and keep producing blade weapon instead of going for more round edges.