drsurf said..




For a start I assume you're talking about using the P4 8m on a surf foil say around 1000 sq cm?
(If you're running a small freeride or race foil then the more high aspect, twin skin Soul is more suited.)

I use the 3m, 4m, 5m & 8m Peak4's and the 4m would be the one I use the most in the wind we get for my 65kg. I take the 8m out when it's so light that not only is no kiter on the beach but no kiter would even bother to go to the beach. It will fly in 3 knots and when it gets to 6 knots I can get going on my surf foil without too much effort.

However there's a law of diminishing returns in light wind kiting. Once you're up and going the apparent wind is your friend and it can feel stronger than it is. Being too casual in a gybe where you're turning downwind can lead the kite to fall out of the sky if you're forward motion is greater than the wind speed. Sharp turns and tight lines are important even with the fantastic drift of the Peak4. Ditto on waves or small swell. It's easy on a foil to outrun the kite on the wrong angle.

However on the plus side the water in light winds is much smoother and clearer which can make for a fun foil in a good location. And it's definitely easier to keep a Peak4 in the air than an inflatable kite. The light weight also makes the P4 much easier to control and turn even if you get the timing a bit wrong in light wind. The Peak4 doesn't have the power of a Soul but it's way more manoeuvrable and has much better drift which is what works great on a surf foil. In my experience I only need enough power to get out of the water. If my kite can do that it has plenty of power for everything else I want do on a surf foil. Consequently I use the smallest, fastest P4 I can in a given wind. Today that was a 3m P4 on 14m lines. (It was windy.)

If you're able to get down to Jervis Bay from Sydney, contact me and you can have a go on the 8m and see what you think.

ActionSportsWA said..
Hi MagicK,

The Soul is less ideal for larger surf foils and low speed kiting. I find the Souls are at their best for normal kite foiling at moderate speeds. The Souls is powerful and super easy to ride and relaunch. A 12m Soul at your weight would max out at around 18 knots I would think, and that's on a twin tip. On a foil? probably around 10-12 knots.

The Soul in a 7 or an 8 would be all the power you need and this will pair well with the 633 as it can hold a decent turn of speed. It really all depends on how you ride. If it's slow and catching waves I'd say stick with the Peak. The 8m will fly in as little as 3 knots and will kite along nicely in around 5-6 knots.

Hope this helps

DM

KBGhost said..
Hi Magic I would get the p4 5m first it's a great intro to them and very versatile. See how you go with that.

Personally I have all the p4s up to 6m and absolutely.. well . It's not so much about how much I love them it's more that they've ruined every other kite for me.

There's a distinct cutoff were the 6m won't get my 95ks going even after 4 loops each way in a gust. I don't have someone over my shoulder with a wind meter but it's under 10kts somewhere. At that point I don't think the slower 8m p4 would work either.

I have found that I want more structure to my kite for the very lightest stuff. I went with an ultralight 10m nova from PLKB. It weighs 1.48kgs which is almost equal to the p4 11m at 1.46kg however it has a double skin which helps hold shape and relaunch. Both significantly less than the Soul. I tried a 12m soul for light wind btw and it does make the power but I found it painfully slow.

I had 9m Mono and it was a great fun versatile friendly foiling kite when I was learning with it however I went to clouds then peaks. Last time I rode it after 6 months on the p4 5m I found it slow & unresponsive.

This is the Nova in about 7-8kts. You can see there's plenty of power for foiling by the drag marks.

magic2k said..




I think I will go with you suggestion of trying a 5m Peak first to get sense for power and movement. I was going to go the Clouds after the mono struts but seems the better option might be to go straight to the Peak. By the way, I ride with a rope slider on the harness, any options to get a slide surf loop for FS Connect Bar or do I need to get another bar?

Leighbreeze said..






My Ridengine with sliding Whitworth ring.
Fits any rope slider,put chicken loop through or around.I have a small fixed rope on my RE slider to give a less slider option for TTip or whatever.
A mate your size started with an 8m Peak4 kite foiling & will get a 5m Peak later.
8m P4 8-15kts , 5mP4 12-18kts depending on front wing size or body weight.

magic2k said..




Thanks Leighbreeze. I have the exact same harness but with the Ride Engine rope slider connection. I have to get me one of those Whitworth rings - I guess I have to undo the knot in the rope connected, the ring in then tie the knot again. Peak4 sizing info for my weight also very helpful.

Gorgo said..
Hi All

I have this fantasy of riding a wing foil board with a Peak 4 in lighter winds to eliminate the need to water start. The idea is that the Peak will float in the air while I climb on the board, then provide sufficient power to get some speed up and get foiling.

I've ridden a SUP with a foil and a lightweight LEI. The kite requires too much attention when climbing on, then provides too much power with a big foil. It all gets a bit clumsy.

Anybody tried this with a Peak and a SUP/wing foil board? What size Peak are you using?

Gorgo said..
Hi All

I have this fantasy of riding a wing foil board with a Peak 4 in lighter winds to eliminate the need to water start. The idea is that the Peak will float in the air while I climb on the board, then provide sufficient power to get some speed up and get foiling.

I've ridden a SUP with a foil and a lightweight LEI. The kite requires too much attention when climbing on, then provides too much power with a big foil. It all gets a bit clumsy.

Anybody tried this with a Peak and a SUP/wing foil board? What size Peak are you using?

highbeaufort said..
Hi,
I appreciate this forum very much. Due to your nice information did I order now a peak 5 8sqm for gusty lake conditions. I choose 8sqm for days for wind conditions of 3-12ktn. I even thinking to add for extra light wind a 13sqm peak. What do you think. Would be an ozone explorer v2 12sqm a better choice due to better weight? Ozone is 1200g vs Peak with 1500g.
But before I test the 8sqm with my kite foil gear and although with a wing board of 88litres.
To my person: I am German, 51 years and 88kg.
Foil Armstrong hs625, cf 1200, ha925t and hs1850. Board Moses hf and Armstrong wing sup 5,5.
Looking forward to hear your point of view's.
best,
Boris