Airush Ultra: one strut kite that meets expectations of a ram air lover

[norcom]

... Many wave and normal 3 strut kites can work with hydrofoil in the 7-8 knots range already especially on long lines but few can relaunch in deep water effectively. ...

Can confirm. Love my v3 Cabo 11m with 30m lines on the foil. I can get going in 8-10mph wind and 90F. It's silly how stupid light I can ride now but somedays it's still a hassle to get out. The Cabo is EXTREMELY fast compared to everything else I tried and I need that speed to work the kite and get me going.

I've been interested in the 12m Ultra, the 12m Cloud or other struttless. But if they're slower than the Cabo, I doubt I could use them.

Tried my Airush Zero v1 18m a while ago in under 10mph. Definitely easier to start than with the 11m Cabo but once I got on the foil it was SCARY overpowered. Also tried it in around 5mph, I could fly it but I couldn't get it sining fast enough to get me on the foil.

[pikovsg]

Both Ultra and Cloud are extremely fast turning kites, no worries there.

[Bletti]

Pikovsg, have you flown the Cloud 13.5 before to compare to the 13.4 D for low end, upper end, sheeting etc... ? I'm curious what's changed in your opinion if you've flown older clouds.

[pikovsg]

Pikovsg, have you flown the Cloud 13.5 before to compare to the 13.4 D for low end, upper end, sheeting etc... ? I'm curious what's changed in your opinion if you've flown older clouds.

I have. 13.4 is a thousand times better. A lot better low end (around 2-3 knots) and now manageable top end. Power delivery even now, no more spikes at 11-2 o'clock, power delivery even from 9-3 now. Less flutter. And it just somehow feels better.

[haiku]

Today I tried for the very first time the Airush Ultra 12 with my combo HF ASV Rampage/ Manta V1. The wind conditions were marginal (6/8 Knots onshore breeze) and the water very choppy. I was stoked, not only this kite was super stable but It also delivered a very smooth and predictable power. I was able to stay in the water alone for 30 minutes, then the wind died; during this short but funny session I saw a little shark (1 m long) swimming fast under my foil! This was the first shark I've ever seen in my local spot (Latina beach Italy)! After the first session with the new Airush Ultra 12.....I'm as happy as a clam!
Cheers
Carlo

[Bletti]

Pikovsg, have you flown the Cloud 13.5 before to compare to the 13.4 D for low end, upper end, sheeting etc... ? I'm curious what's changed in your opinion if you've flown older clouds.

I have. 13.4 is a thousand times better. A lot better low end (around 2-3 knots) and now manageable top end. Power delivery even now, no more spikes at 11-2 o'clock, power delivery even from 9-3 now. Less flutter. And it just somehow feels better.

Awesome! Thanks. I just got a good deal on gently used 13.4 and 8 cloud d. I'll have them in a week. I've used the c2 12m and 9m last week and the c5 5.5 awhile ago. For me at least I think there's more advantages with the cloud in the larger sizes. I'd like to try a 3.5 or 2.8 or 3.7, but I also like the way strutted kites can be self landed in high winds (or is there a trick to do it with the clouds?).

[TomW]

Very few reviews of the ultra. Wonder what's going on.

[tswierkocki]

I have 3.7m to 10.4m D Clouds. They all tether launch and land very, very, well in all wind strengths. I have a ton of hours on the 4.8m tether launching and landing and a decent amount of hours on the 3.7. If the wind is light or if you have a wind shadow you can land them by pulling in a single front line while landing the kite leading edge down. As a last option you can dump the kite on a leash to a single front line.

[gbrungra]

Very few reviews of the ultra. Wonder what's going on.

Kite are better and last longer, so people upgrade their quivers less frequently?

Airush ultra is first kite w spectra fiber, and kiters are waiting for someone else to be the guinea pig?

[airsurfer]

self landing a cloud is pretty easy depower the kite bring it to the edge low or on the ground preferably towards the water then unhook and grab both center lines and walk up to the kite hand over hand until you reach the kite keep the lines low to the ground. This works well for most LEI kites even in strong winds and since you're unhooked as a last resort if something bad happens you can let go and not get hurt (not suggesting this:l) Anyway the Ultra 12M on long lines seems like it would work really well anyone test the deep water relaunch in sub 10 knots yet?