I have flown the Ozone Instinct 9M, 11M, and 13M.
I was well powered on the 11M when I rode it in approx 18-22knots at Dolls Point approx 10 days ago.
I tried the 9M on the same day, but before the wind picked up, so did not really have enough wind for it.
The 13M I have tried in approx 8-10 knots at Dolls Point and I was able to go and stay upwind and do small jumps I was riding an Underground 2006 1.52x44 board. Only one other rider that day was able to stay upwind, he was riding a 2005 FLX 1.52x42, and was on a new Slingy TD 16M, so the 13M Instinct has substantially good bottom end.
When I was riding the 11M, another guys was out on a Sonic 11M, I was not concerned by the gusts at all and was getting some great floaty jumps.
I was riding an Underground 1.32x39 FLX 2006 model board, I weigh approx 75kg wet.
No problem with bar pressure, the kite is light to medium on the bar, the trim sytem is a dream to use, just set and forget. The cleat grips the line wiothout slipping and is easy to adjust again if needed.
I deliberately crashed the kite a couple of times to try to get it to invert and to test the relaunch. One crash was accidental because I came unhooked and it was the easiest way to hook back in, the chicken dick was too short on these pre production protos and this has been fixed on the production kites.
No problem with inversion, I doubt that it is possible at all and Ozone claim the kite cannot invert due to the unique rigging on the kite. Relaunch was fast and easy, I was even able to keep my board on my feet for one of them, definately no swimming just point the bar and wait a bit. On one relaunch the kite ended up straight downwind, and there was a lull in the wind so I pulled in a bit on one rear line leader, relaunch took slightly longer on this attempt but still no problem and no swimming.
The kite flew fast and turned tight, not quite as tight as a 12SB, but approx the same as a Slingy TD. Jumps were much flatier than any other flat/bow kite I have used recently, and the kite feels more like a C kite than any other flat/bow kite I have flown.
Construction is very strong, Ozone are renowned for their first class construction and have been making famous brand inflatables for other manufacturers for a couple of years, they have been working on an inflatable kite for nearly 5 years!!!
All seams are reinforced and have a rip stop surf tough construction system. Cloth is identical to all the top brands, leading edge material is fuse bonded dacron same as found in the top brands.
All valves have one way stoppers, the valve cap has a stick to assist with deflation, we have found it is best to remove these while the kite is in storage.
Bag is a full back pack similar to a Slingy TD bag, plenty of room and can carry a board as well, like the Slingy bag.
Pump has a guage, and the kite will be supplied with a leash. Self launching and landing is easy, both rear lines at the bar have osh1ts to clip the leash too.
No pulleys on the kite or bar, no bridles, no inversions light bar pressure.
Rates as one of the best inflatable kites I have ever used.
The 9, 11, and 13 are on demo today at Kurnell in a gusty 20 knots NWester.
Cya and
Goodwinds
Steve McCormack
insomniac_alcoholic
> 9 months ago, 5 May 2006
