Flysurfer sonic vs Flysurfer sped 5

[GCKiter]

Does anyone have any advice on which kite would be better suited for my foilboard. My not into racing but thrive on catching waves and doing downwinders. I'm looking for a 11m to complete my quiver. I know the sonics are primarily race kites but I've heard they turn so fast I thought they might be good in waves.

[Jzh_perth]

Depending on how you ride, I would have said speed 5 for the fact the canopy is more stable if/ when you get slack lines when riding towards the kite, and develops less peaky power than sonic. But if you want turning speed to loop loop loop then perhaps sonic would work better, but might also tend to pull you off your board of riding strapless. Relaunch is easier is s5 for sure. Less prone to bow ties.

[GCKiter]

Thanks Jzh for the reply. I'll probably make a decision in the next couple of weeks.I like to have speed in the turns to beat the wave from closing out and crashing on me.It sounds like both kites turn on a dime as long as your in the sweet spot or power zone of the wind. May you have good foiling for the new year!

[Mossy 757]

12m speed 5 sounds like it'd work better for you if you're not interested in maximum upwind/downwind speed.

[foilholio]

Hi AR foils are not great at drifting in anything but the largest sizes, but that is true for all foils that the bigger they are the better they drift. That is because the bigger kites are more rigid, have more inertia, ( more hot air effect ), etc. The high AR foils are excellent at going upwind and are imho the best kites for wave riding upwind, strange ? No foils are particularly excellent at turning, especially the high AR ones, you can helicopter them but that's about it. From what you say you want to wave ride and ride downwind, the sonic or the speed is not really the kite I think for you. They will both be great kites just not best suited to that. If you wanted to instead do a lot of jumping and ride upwind, including on waves, well then you could be looking at the right kites. Otherwise I would consider a strutless inflatable or a more mid AR foil like Pulsion or A15. You are welcome to recast the mold and ride a race kite in waves though they are certainly fun , especially if you can handle a challenge.

[davesails7]

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[davesails7]

Good comparison of speed 5 and sonic 2, although most of the features he points out were on sonic 1 as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvOyTFFKx68