Slingshot UFO

[jakemoore]

It probably depends a lot on where the kite is in the wind window and where the bar is in depower. It’s been a while since I flew a five peaks and now have only a 3.


If the peak has tight lines is sitting deep and you sheet in to backstall and pinwheel it then probably the peak.

If the bar is set at ideal power with no backstall probably the 7 UFO.

If you are waiting for the lines and bridle and kite skin to tighten then certainly the UFO.

[TomW]

"UFO is as light as a Hyperlink V1 but Peak4 is the king."
UFOs heavier than hyperlink. 9m hyperlink weighs 1,6kg.

Are you talking V2 or UL?

My V1 5 and 7 are within 100 grams of UFO

V2 AND V1 UL weigh the same. I recall the ufo 9m is over 2 kg. Might be wrong.

[jakemoore]

V2 AND V1 UL weigh the same. I recall the ufo 9m is over 2 kg. Might be wrong.

Yes, I am flying regular cloth V1 hyperlinks. I can't comment on the 9 UFO but the 5 and 7 are right there with the regular cloth HL. I love the HL and my V1 kites are holding up well after a lot of use. Also I wonder for example how the UL or V2 would do if they got pounded in surf? I did bust a cell on my 5 by rolling it in the surf and it has the regular cloth. Its doing well after a repair. I bet he Hyperlink has a better high wind performance than the UFO and better upwind angles as well. Nice kites for sure. I will continue to fly them at our launches that are grassy and clean. However the wet sand sticking is a hassle on our beach launches that make a tube kite a little more practical and I'm very stoked with the UFO for foiling in surf.

[TomW]

A local here weighed his UFO 9 and it's at 2010 g. I'm intrigued by UFO. But been using HL V1 UL 9m ( and V 1 7 , V2 13) for so long I'm really used to them.
The 9m is magic for me works from 5/6 - 10ms . Huge range. The 7 m I am less pleased with, it sits back in window too much on 20 m lines and used 15m lines but dislike what that does to timing.
I heard the 9m UFO has top end of 13 knots.

Basically question is what UFOs for 10- 22 knots ? I'm 80 kg with 900cm2 wing. Like to have power and lift in transitions.

[purdyd]

I tried watching the interview of Tony Logosz on page 4 of this thread. Not sure I even finished it, started drifting away, but I think he said something at some point about the UFO having great upwind for a low aspect kite... something like that.

Any opinions on upwind performance compared to the Peak4?

I remember reading that also. Flying out front or something like that.

To me it flies like a mid aspect kite, a little back in the window but comes forward with more wind as you sheet out. Like all kites.

It’s plenty easy to go up wind, on a hydrofoil.

Basically question is what UFOs for 10- 22 knots ? I'm 80 kg with 900cm2 wing. Like to have power and lift in transitions.

I’ve been riding the 5m ufo in 12-20 mph on a 850cm foil but I did cheat and put my 1050 on at 12 mph. I haven’t found the low end of the 5m.

The 7m ufo hasn’t been flown yet but would imagine it good at 10-15 knots If you want more power and lift.

I can’t see for me the need for the 9m.

[jakemoore]

Basically question is what UFOs for 10- 22 knots ? I'm 80 kg with 900cm2 wing. Like to have power and lift in transitions.

I've not flown the 9 so I wouldn't want to dis it but my understanding from Cloud kites is the strut less concept gets better in smaller sizes. They love their 4.x and 6.x but the 8.x less so. I could definitely go in less wind and at better angles up and down wind and keep the kite out of the water better with my 9 HL (regular) than a friend with 8.x cloud. Also my experience with the single skin kites like the Peak also suggest the concept is great for smaller kites.

I was happy enough with the 5 I ended up buying a 7 as well. Maybe the 9 will be good but I'm less likely to want to change out the foil kite in that range.

I think 9 HL and either a 5 or a 7 UFO would make a fantastic 2 kite quiver. 7 would work in 22 if you don't mind a lot of power. I would be surprised if HF on the 9 was enjoyable at 20 knots. I'm not sure either one gets to 10 knots for me but again I am going with the foil kite in that wind. I can waterstart when there are 1m waves slacking the lines in 12 knots with the 7 and 14 knots with the 5.

[oregonkiter]

I was out on 5 ufo on foil (683 wing) from 2:20--4:30. Feeling like I wanted more power for tacks at 4:30. Came in and switched to 7 ufo. Felt a bit over powered in the gusts but fun and very enjoyable. Could have easily stayed on 5m in retrospect. The 7 ufo is truly a light wind kite imo--light wind for me is 12-16 mph avg. I would like to see SS come out with a 4m ufo.

[grigorib]

...
I would like to see SS come out with a 4m ufo.

I need one too.

[TomW]

Sounds like i need a 7 and a 5. Keep my hyperlink 13m for 10 knot days. Have to think about it

[PugetSoundKiter]

...
I would like to see SS come out with a 4m ufo.

I need one too.

4m would be a nice fit