Flysurfer Peak4 in 5 m2, truly stoked

[jaros]

I got the 4 m2 and the 8 m2 yesterday, and had the chance to ride the 8 in its very lower limit, and a few puffs where in its sweetspot too.

Only used the 8 and 11 one time each, so not much experience in their ranges.

One thing is for certain though, it is the 3 and 4 and 5 m2 that really rocks, they can zip around fast and have loads of powerspike because of this.

Whereas the 8 and 11 are of course light and hangs well indeed, easy to pack down, but as such they are nothing special, compared to other kites, as they turn just as slow, and has no significant power spike.

Good because they cost half of other kites, and can hang in less wind - but other foilkites or one and nostrut tubes can probably give at least the same in terms of kitefoiling

Dont know for sure yet, but seems this way, in fact exactly as tomtom has said from the beginning

3-4-5 m2 are amazing fun kites, and in waves maybe the superior ones out there

Peter

And what would you say is the "very low limit" of the 8 m2 in your experience?
Always nice to read your reviews and I really appreciate your opinion, Peter. Thanks!

[Peter_Frank]

I dont now yet jaros...

Whether it was 8 or 9 knots I can not say (and only 21 m lines, I think it would benefit from 25 to 28 meter), and a lightwind wing, Ketos Kruiser, 1100 cm2 but goes a lot earlier than our fat 1200 cm2 wave wings.

Too early to say what the low limit is, and have no comparisons - you have to ride the same day with other kites also, for comparison, to know just somewhat objectively, and to do it many times.

Peter

[Janus]

skip the Kruiser Peter, WaveXL and Kool is enough..
You were on the WaveXL with the 8m?

[Peter_Frank]

skip the Kruiser Peter, WaveXL and Kool is enough..
You were on the WaveXL with the 8m?

No way, the Kruiser goes a lot better in low winds than the 1200, more lift better upwind better lowend, use it quite often

I was on the 1200 first, and then the Kruiser, the latter a lot better IMO.

Wouldnt have had a chance on the WaveXL in these winds and that kite...

As said, wind was fickle and not useable for anything but very first impressions, this very first day....

Peter

[Janus]

Hmm.. in that case very interested in all the numbers..

[Jzh_perth]

Got 2 more Peaks recently - a used 4m and a new 8m to go with my 5. I demoed the 8 and would agree with Peters comments - it’s not a spectacular as the 5, but a completely pleasant and easy kite to fly in lower winds. I am hoping the 4 goes on in 18+ foiling days, I used my 5 in 18-22 a lot last summer and was so impressed, but definitely felt I could have been on a smaller kite. Fingers crossed.

[Peter_Frank]

Hmm.. in that case very interested in all the numbers..

Okay, here are my numbers, copy from the other thread Janus.

Actually, I have found that the 3 m2 works even from 16 knots, when waves, difficult to fly and takes some time to get used to, but when you can, it can accelerate like nothing else, magic from 16 knots and up, and prefer to be a bit on the small side when riding waves.
So below numbers are not for bigger waves, where you would want a bit smaller kites, but overall general what I would pick if no waves.
Today I had a day out with the 8, the 5, the 4, and then the 3 m2 (7 hours wind picking up and waves building here at my local break), and my friend a tad heavier borrowed my 11 m2 to try it, he was happy about how stable it was:

My estimate on windranges for the average weights and a typical 1200 cm2 surf wing, or a medium 800 cm2 wing (as apparent wind makes the sweetspot quite similar), sweetspots are something like:

11 m2 in 4 to 4½ m/s (8-9 knots)
8 m2 in 5-6 m/s (10-11 knots)
5 m2 in 7-8 m/s (14-15 knots)
4 m2 in 9-10 m/s (18 knots)
3 m2 in 11-12 m/s or more (22 knots)

Please note: This is not their "range", only center of their sweetspots IMO. T.ex the 5 I can use in 11 to 20 knots range

Peter

[Regis-de-giens]

hi all,

here is my test on snow ; light wind but was of thanks to hard snow ; a little happy toy, agile and secure

[Trent hink]

In my experience, for hydrofoiling, the sweet spot for the peaks is actually very small.

Sure, there is a huge wind wind range where they can work, but if the kite is flapping much you will probably have much more fun on the next size down.

Not a big deal, since they are half the price of most other kites, but this might be something to consider if you are worried about buying into all the hype.

I've considered it, and totally bought in. I now own 3,4,5,8,11.

I'm in love with the smaller sizes, 8 and 11 have their limitations, but they are just so easy to use if your only goal is to get out in light wind and have a bit of fun.

[fernmanus]

Regis-de-glens,

Thank you for the video. What is the location in the video. It appears that you are starting to climb a hill at the end of the video. How high is the hill? Do you ever glide off of it? Looks like a fun spot!