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I received my new Boardriding Maui strutless 13m kite and got a chance to ride it in very, very gusty conditions at Newcastle (near Seattle) today. Surprisingly it was a really good ride in crappy gusty 7 - 30 knot conditions (well except during the gusts when I had trouble holding it down). Indeed it is a very interesting kite as having no struts, weighing nothing and having a low AR it has an incredible low end. I would recommend people fly these kites one size smaller than their SLE. In fact, given the low end of the kite I really should've been on a 10m or an 8m.

When I launched at noon there was hardly any wind, 7 to 8 knots maybe, and once up the kite charged upwind and I was nicely powered and having fun on the Paipo . As far as flying characteristics the Cloud kites are really quick on/off with just a bit of sheeting and they turn very, very fast. I also got the chance drift launch and relaunch the kite today without a problem, once the canopy has wind in it relaunches like any other kite. One concern I had was that when the kite hit 43 F degree water the kite would jellyfish but this never happened and the airframe remained solid. On another note since I often ride at lunch and have limited time riding a kite without struts means less inflation and pack up time.

I think Boardriding Maui http://www.boardridingmaui.com/index.htmlis onto something here and in five years struts for freeride kites will be a thing of the past.

Here are some pics:

...and a Paipo you bastard????? hehe

I also think this definitely seems to be an avenue for development and huge advantage to lower the weight of kites. Huge potential for ultra lightwind racing, wave riding with drift.

Exciting times for sure.

Wahoo!!!
Up and running in7-8knts on a 13m and holding the kite in 30knts gusts!
What a range...

Low end was fine, but just was barely holding on in the big gusts and got totally blown off my board once.

Even if 30knts was just surviving the gusts, it is still pretty impressive!

To ride in 8knts I need my naish Fly and a big board, and I can't even imagin what would happen if I was on that same kite in a 30knts gust... It would be ugly.

what kind of bar are you using?

mz16 wrote:what kind of bar are you using?

Good question as they dont list bars on the web site .

The 13m packs up very small and weighs just a couple of pounds

Nice......... But would it be possible to estimate the weight of the canopy Since I travel a lot with 2 kite quiver carry on without the bag
Also how is the bar pressure compared to other light & high pressure inflatables since I can't fly any kite with a high bar pressure

Hunqi

Can you give us a review of the Paipo?

Here's my attempt to answer your questions with two session under my belt on the Cloud kite and Paipo:

1) Bar: Any bar will work on the kite as long as all line lengths are equal (this is real important) The bridle is designed to work with all kook proof systems. Also the kite powers and depowers with incredibly short throw, so once you've got your bar sheeted for equal line lengths i'd recommend sliding your stopper down a bit. The kite is designed to be ridden with back line tension which takes a bit of getting used to, but once dailed you are set.

2) Travel: These kites are perfect for travel. I'd estimate the 13 to weigh 3.5 lbs when dry, the smaller kites weigh less of course. In fact you could easily pack two or three of these kites into a standard 6m bag plus have room for beer.

3) Inflation system is a screw inflation point similar to Cabrihna

4) Flutter: So these kites are designed to flutter on hard turns, loops etc. Don't worry this is how they are designed and it's fine. In fact I was throwing kite loops in Maui on the 8, once laminar flow is established in the canopy they are rock solid and don't jellyfish or invert even in cold weather. Just note, you should inflate these kites to a solid pressure.

5) Backstall: Much less than other kites because they are so light:

6) Construction: Very good construction along the lines of Cabrihna, solid leading edge and bridle system

7) Bar pressure: Low mid-range. Less than Cabrihna or North kites but more than a Naish Park or Ride i'd say. As I said before the kite is grunty once wind gets in the canopy

7) Paipo board: Awesome! The best of an Alaia and a Surfboard combined. The Paipo is constructed like a snowboard with laminated wood in the core and ABS sidewalls. The board is very light and thus is very, very good for strapless airs. Also because of the rocker and fins you can take it waves too. Probably would prefer the surfboard in big overhead plus waves, but on smaller waves this board rocks because it planes so quickly. Also it's easily to do shuv-its, ride blind, do flat water spins on etc. It's just fun.

Watch here and see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0JxlIBvpiE