Hi Dominik! I try to ride as many kites as possible and if I can get a hold of one of these Cabrinhas, I will.
I like the characteristics of the foils for land riding. In terms of pure performance, I get great performance out of my Peter Lynn ARC kites, and have jumped as high, or higher on my 1510, as my friend on his 18m X2 (he's also lighter than me) in the water. For land, which is also more gusty, the foils are more stable in the air, as well.
I also think the depower of foils is much better than inflatos. Inflatos require you to walk on the beach on your tippy-toes to get power on the water. The foils offer you more depower. I can fly my kites off the front lines only and they won't hindenburg or stall.
And in terms of safety, when I deploy my leash on the ARC, the kite flops out flat like a flag, and generates no power whatsoever. The inflatos have a permanent arc shape to them which causes them to always pull you. In this respect the foils are safer.
And they cost about 60% of an equal-sized inflatable.
I did just buy a quiver of new 2003 Slingshots, so I will try those in the snow, but I doubt the performance will make up for troubles with land/launch and safety.
V
http://www.chicagokitesurfing.com