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Which 18 meters foil kite would drift launch and float the most .

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early bird2
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Which 18 meters foil kite would drift launch and float the most .

Postby early bird2 » Sat Jul 29, 2017 1:28 am

I'd like to get an 18 meters foil kite that I could drift launch , it does not need to be a full race kite .
Ozone Chronos don't really float , so what else ?

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f2020
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Re: Which 18 meters foil kite would drift launch and float the most .

Postby f2020 » Sat Jul 29, 2017 2:32 am

The R1V2 floats somewhat better than the Chronos because they've half the air intakes. I've heard the flysurfer floats somewhat ok too. When using the term "floating" with a foil kite remember it is always for a very relative short time anyway. When the kite falls in the water relaunch ASAP.

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Re: Which 18 meters foil kite would drift launch and float the most .

Postby joriws » Sat Jul 29, 2017 6:18 am

Seek Youtube for speed5 vs sonic-2. Also Horst Sergio's Sonic-2 drift launch video.

I've no personal experience on Sonic/Speed5 drift launches but I did drift launches with Speed 4 15m Lotus kite many times. But I do know that Sonic1 takes water in easily compared to Sonic2.

I hope PL, North, Slingshot, HQ foil-owners would film&release drift launch videos to prove it can be done.

Frank Rosin
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Re: Which 18 meters foil kite would drift launch and float the most .

Postby Frank Rosin » Sat Jul 29, 2017 7:42 am

When an 18 is needed I do not think you wanna have it wet to start with really...

early bird2
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Re: Which 18 meters foil kite would drift launch and float the most .

Postby early bird2 » Sat Jul 29, 2017 9:48 am

Frank , this is so true what you say , I might be dreaming . On the other hand , like Joriws said if we don't ask for it we won't get it in the future . At the tag's price of these kites this is legitimate to ask for a canopy with a good water's repellant , because yes we can launch these kites on the beach or snow no problems but when they fall from the sky in a huge lull it would be interesting /safe to have a kite that does not become a sponge instantly . Since I need an 18 , as well to find the best of the lot regarding this behavior .

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Re: Which 18 meters foil kite would drift launch and float the most .

Postby FLandOBX » Sat Jul 29, 2017 11:49 am

Although I do not have a wide range of experience with multiple foil kite brands, I have found my FS Lotus material to be fairly impervious. As previously noted, it's still important to get the kite out of the water fairly quickly. But Lotus or Lotus-like material will drift-launch fairly well.

early bird2
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Re: Which 18 meters foil kite would drift launch and float the most .

Postby early bird2 » Sat Jul 29, 2017 12:17 pm

Thanks FlandOBX , Lotus material seems to be the best so far in my research . Sonic 2 uses it .
So Sonic 2 is on top of the list so far .

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Re: Which 18 meters foil kite would drift launch and float the most .

Postby Nem0 » Sat Jul 29, 2017 12:57 pm

At the moment there is just the flysurfer speed4 lotus which was built with lotus material.
At the flysurfer sonic2, lotus only was used for the topsail.
At oase.com I found the info that flysurfer is testing a new material "Xlight". Inside it's lotus - outside it's deluxe. Sounds like an interesting combination!?!

early bird2
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Re: Which 18 meters foil kite would drift launch and float the most .

Postby early bird2 » Sat Jul 29, 2017 2:29 pm

Nemo , this is very interesting , I saw that the latest Flysurfer race has XLight material .

early bird2
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Re: Which 18 meters foil kite would drift launch and float the most .

Postby early bird2 » Mon Jul 31, 2017 7:18 pm

Thanks for the tips :
So far : Ozone R1V2 , half air intakes so would float better than the Chronos .
Flysurfer speed 4 with Lotus material
Sonic 2 , top of kite with Lotus material
Flysurfer might come soon with an XLight material plus Lotus material inside , could be a very good mix . I'll have to wait to see it .


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