Forums > Kitesurfing Foiling

Flysurfer Peak4

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Created by drsurf > 9 months ago, 18 Apr 2019
Alysum
NSW, 1024 posts
5 Aug 2020 9:43AM
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dafish said..


Jhana said..
Anyone tried the 11m or 13m PeaK4 in under 10 knots and can provide a review?




I would be looking at a Soul instead of Peak in that size. I am 82 kilos and am on a 5 mt Peak at 8 to 10 knots. If you want to ride those conditions regularly and want a kite that size I don't think the Peak will have much of an advantage. Willing to hear what others have to say on this though.



Wow a 5m in 8/10Kn even in Sydney ?

Will the peak4 work ok with standard LIE Ozone bars ?

dafish
NSW, 1631 posts
6 Aug 2020 7:58AM
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Alysum said..

dafish said..



Jhana said..
Anyone tried the 11m or 13m PeaK4 in under 10 knots and can provide a review?





I would be looking at a Soul instead of Peak in that size. I am 82 kilos and am on a 5 mt Peak at 8 to 10 knots. If you want to ride those conditions regularly and want a kite that size I don't think the Peak will have much of an advantage. Willing to hear what others have to say on this though.




Wow a 5m in 8/10Kn even in Sydney ?

Will the peak4 work ok with standard LIE Ozone bars ?


Yes, that is what I am currently using. The Flysurfer bar is a high Y, so I tested them back to back with my Ozone and it made no discernible difference with performance. Once I knew they would work well together I purchased the Peak. Not sure how well it would work with the Soul though...

jamesperth
WA, 610 posts
7 Aug 2020 5:33PM
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I got the 13 !! Can't wait to unwrap this one




Jhana
WA, 120 posts
7 Aug 2020 6:49PM
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I have a 13m I love this kite what a session saver flies in 3 knots gets me back in when the wind drops

Leighbreeze
WA, 531 posts
9 Aug 2020 9:42PM
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jamesperth said..
I got the 13 !! Can't wait to unwrap this one




Hey James or Jhana
keen on a 13mP4
Where did you grab yours.

Jhana
WA, 120 posts
11 Aug 2020 8:02PM
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LeighMajor said..

jamesperth said..
I got the 13 !! Can't wait to unwrap this one




Hey James or Jhana
keen on a 13mP4
Where did you grab yours.


Action Sports in WA have them - Darran will fix you up

KBGhost
QLD, 260 posts
12 Aug 2020 7:37AM
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Jhana said..
I have a 13m I love this kite what a session saver flies in 3 knots gets me back in when the wind drops



I'd love more of a review and also your thoughts James & Leigh if you get one. I'm torn I can nearly get the low end I need with the 5m through speed but then they fall in a hole with the 8m and maybe the 13 will make up for that with sheer grunt. I flew the Aluula flite 14.5 yesterday would love to try it vs p4 13 back to back. Flite sank in 2kts, flew in 3kts, pulled me in 5kts small drags on beach.

Alysum
NSW, 1024 posts
12 Aug 2020 3:37PM
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dafish said..

Alysum said..


dafish said..




Jhana said..
Anyone tried the 11m or 13m PeaK4 in under 10 knots and can provide a review?






I would be looking at a Soul instead of Peak in that size. I am 82 kilos and am on a 5 mt Peak at 8 to 10 knots. If you want to ride those conditions regularly and want a kite that size I don't think the Peak will have much of an advantage. Willing to hear what others have to say on this though.





Wow a 5m in 8/10Kn even in Sydney ?

Will the peak4 work ok with standard LIE Ozone bars ?



Yes, that is what I am currently using. The Flysurfer bar is a high Y, so I tested them back to back with my Ozone and it made no discernible difference with performance. Once I knew they would work well together I purchased the Peak. Not sure how well it would work with the Soul though...



Select to expand quote
dafish said..

Alysum said..


dafish said..




Jhana said..
Anyone tried the 11m or 13m PeaK4 in under 10 knots and can provide a review?






I would be looking at a Soul instead of Peak in that size. I am 82 kilos and am on a 5 mt Peak at 8 to 10 knots. If you want to ride those conditions regularly and want a kite that size I don't think the Peak will have much of an advantage. Willing to hear what others have to say on this though.





Wow a 5m in 8/10Kn even in Sydney ?

Will the peak4 work ok with standard LIE Ozone bars ?



Yes, that is what I am currently using. The Flysurfer bar is a high Y, so I tested them back to back with my Ozone and it made no discernible difference with performance. Once I knew they would work well together I purchased the Peak. Not sure how well it would work with the Soul though...



Just confirming that I don't need the 5th line either?

Also would you recommend my ozone 20 or 25m lines for the 5m. I'm thinking 20m.

Jonesey32
QLD, 64 posts
12 Aug 2020 7:20PM
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Just confirming that I don't need the 5th line either?

Also would you recommend my ozone 20 or 25m lines for the 5m. I'm thinking 20m.


You don't need the 5th line. The High Y, 5 line bar for the Peak 4 is the one designed for use on the snow. The 5th line completely collapses the kite so you can ground it with no power on land.

The kite will fly fine with any standard length low V lines - everyone I know that has one is running a mixed setup (i.e. Naish/Ozone/Other bar).

The 20m lines will probably be the one to go for. I've only flown my 4m on 17m lines (on an old Naish bar), but I've been wanting to change that out for 20m lines. The 25m would probably work fine, but would probably start feeling a bit draggy on such a small, light kite IMO...

dafish
NSW, 1631 posts
13 Aug 2020 7:53AM
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Jonesey32 said..

Just confirming that I don't need the 5th line either?

Also would you recommend my ozone 20 or 25m lines for the 5m. I'm thinking 20m.



You don't need the 5th line. The High Y, 5 line bar for the Peak 4 is the one designed for use on the snow. The 5th line completely collapses the kite so you can ground it with no power on land.

The kite will fly fine with any standard length low V lines - everyone I know that has one is running a mixed setup (i.e. Naish/Ozone/Other bar).

The 20m lines will probably be the one to go for. I've only flown my 4m on 17m lines (on an old Naish bar), but I've been wanting to change that out for 20m lines. The 25m would probably work fine, but would probably start feeling a bit draggy on such a small, light kite IMO...


What Jonesey said is what I would have said as well. The fifth line would be for snow. I would also use 20 mt lines as the mixer lines are about 3 mts all together. You end up closer to 24 that way. I prefer that length to get more of the power sweep as I tend to use the Peak4 5 in the lightest wind range.

Leighbreeze
WA, 531 posts
13 Aug 2020 6:51PM
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Jhana said..

LeighMajor said..


jamesperth said..
I got the 13 !! Can't wait to unwrap this one




Hey James or Jhana
keen on a 13mP4
Where did you grab yours.



Action Sports in WA have them - Darran will fix you up


Thanks Jhana
What line length on the P4 13m are you flying in those super light conditions.?

Leighbreeze
WA, 531 posts
13 Aug 2020 7:07PM
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KBGhost said..

Jhana said..
I have a 13m I love this kite what a session saver flies in 3 knots gets me back in when the wind drops




I'd love more of a review and also your thoughts James & Leigh if you get one. I'm torn I can nearly get the low end I need with the 5m through speed but then they fall in a hole with the 8m and maybe the 13 will make up for that with sheer grunt. I flew the Aluula flite 14.5 yesterday would love to try it vs p4 13 back to back. Flite sank in 2kts, flew in 3kts, pulled me in 5kts small drags on beach.



Select to expand quote
KBGhost said..

Jhana said..
I have a 13m I love this kite what a session saver flies in 3 knots gets me back in when the wind drops




I'd love more of a review and also your thoughts James & Leigh if you get one. I'm torn I can nearly get the low end I need with the 5m through speed but then they fall in a hole with the 8m and maybe the 13 will make up for that with sheer grunt. I flew the Aluula flite 14.5 yesterday would love to try it vs p4 13 back to back. Flite sank in 2kts, flew in 3kts, pulled me in 5kts small drags on beach.


KB yeah not sure like you regards getting a
P4 13m.James or Jhana would be the ones to ask.Have the 4-5-8mP4 Combo .Still trying to get a handle on the 8m P4.Bit slow with or something with 24m + 3m bridle.
Maybe faster with 17m+ 3m bridle.Hopefully tomorrow.
Demoed the pre production Flite Aluula 14.5m.
Decide to order one.What a great LW kite.
So won't get a P4 13m now.
Am broke now.

KBGhost
QLD, 260 posts
14 Aug 2020 6:54AM
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I flew the flite in 2-5 knots this week. Agree, very impressive LW kite. That fact that it even flew in these conditions was amazing. I know one or 2 of the local foilers have ordered one already. However, I'm not sold yet.. it seems a metric sh!t-ton of kite for someone used to mostly a 5m. Still had a bit of weight to it even though the power to weight ratio is great. I reckon the same thing in 11-12m would be better suited for me. I'll probably hold out for 2nd Gen when they use all Aluula and maybe make a 1 strut.

jamesperth
WA, 610 posts
14 Aug 2020 3:40PM
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Christened the 13 Peak this afternoon. Was expecting under 10 knots but was more like 14 by the time I launched. This was above my expected wind range for this kite but I wanted to try it regardless.


typical hot launch immediately lifted me up off my feet (96kg) as the kite climbed to 12. Felt a LOT bigger than the stated 13m size

turning speed is just fast enough to downloop from the 60cm bar whilst gybing on the foil, with no trim on. On my Flysurfer 21's I usually grabbed a handful of leader line to loop them and I suspect I will do the same with the Peak 13. I did depower at one stage but preferred the more direct bar feel at full power. Bar pressure was high by my standards.


at 14 knots (assumed) wind speed I was riding with the kite high and bar out, kite flapping, when toeside because I couldn't hold the power and ride upwind with the kite low in the window. Heel side I could sit into it and drive upwind, It's a beast. Peak riders know these kites sit pretty deep in the window. I felt would have been much more comfortable on my 8.

I am super pleased at this stage because the 13 is everything I hoped for. I can't imagine wanting to ride a bigger size at this stage, and suspect this will be well suited to days under 12 knots. This would be a killer kite for the tropics.

Leighbreeze
WA, 531 posts
14 Aug 2020 10:17PM
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KBGhost said..
I flew the flite in 2-5 knots this week. Agree, very impressive LW kite. That fact that it even flew in these conditions was amazing. I know one or 2 of the local foilers have ordered one already. However, I'm not sold yet.. it seems a metric sh!t-ton of kite for someone used to mostly a 5m. Still had a bit of weight to it even though the power to weight ratio is great. I reckon the same thing in 11-12m would be better suited for me. I'll probably hold out for 2nd Gen when they use all Aluula and maybe make a 1 strut.



Select to expand quote
KBGhost said..
I flew the flite in 2-5 knots this week. Agree, very impressive LW kite. That fact that it even flew in these conditions was amazing. I know one or 2 of the local foilers have ordered one already. However, I'm not sold yet.. it seems a metric sh!t-ton of kite for someone used to mostly a 5m. Still had a bit of weight to it even though the power to weight ratio is great. I reckon the same thing in 11-12m would be better suited for me. I'll probably hold out for 2nd Gen when they use all Aluula and maybe make a 1 strut.

I agree 14.5m kite to foil with seems way over the top.
I use the bigger kites with my Nomad or surfboard in waves for the extra drift.Or just fanging around in lighter onshore winds close to shore.
When you can get away with a 5m P4 in 10-14kts on a foil.
Used a 10m Peter Lynn Nova depowered in 6-10 kts today on a carbonCoVape 1.2mboard with Armstrong HS1050 85mast 300Stab,105kgs.
No white caps to start later just a few.
My point is how efficient are the foil kites in 5-10kt range.10m in 6-10kts with depower. Amazing.
Could have probably used the 8mP4 but hadn't flown the 10m PL nova very impressive till I dropped it close to shore .Had trouble relaunching.Wet sheet then.Sandy wet pack up.All part of the learning curve.
Don't really need a foil kite bigger than a 10m ATM for LW kite foiling.













KBGhost
QLD, 260 posts
16 Aug 2020 9:40PM
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Funny you mention the Nova 10 Leigh I reckon that's another contender for *the* light wind foiling kite for us heavier guys. I have a mate with one and it's impressive. He's actually ordered the same but in light weight material as this is the only fault in his mind, sometimes the equation doesn't add up and it falls out the sky. From what I've seen, including beach flying when it's too light to ride, it's a responsive fast turning kite in light winds which is rare.

KBGhost
QLD, 260 posts
16 Aug 2020 9:46PM
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jamesperth said..
Christened the 13 Peak this afternoon. Was expecting under 10 knots but was more like 14 by the time I launched. This was above my expected wind range for this kite but I wanted to try it regardless.


typical hot launch immediately lifted me up off my feet (96kg) as the kite climbed to 12. Felt a LOT bigger than the stated 13m size

turning speed is just fast enough to downloop from the 60cm bar whilst gybing on the foil, with no trim on. On my Flysurfer 21's I usually grabbed a handful of leader line to loop them and I suspect I will do the same with the Peak 13. I did depower at one stage but preferred the more direct bar feel at full power. Bar pressure was high by my standards.


at 14 knots (assumed) wind speed I was riding with the kite high and bar out, kite flapping, when toeside because I couldn't hold the power and ride upwind with the kite low in the window. Heel side I could sit into it and drive upwind, It's a beast. Peak riders know these kites sit pretty deep in the window. I felt would have been much more comfortable on my 8.

I am super pleased at this stage because the 13 is everything I hoped for. I can't imagine wanting to ride a bigger size at this stage, and suspect this will be well suited to days under 12 knots. This would be a killer kite for the tropics.


Thanks for this James good reading. Can't wait for you to get that sub 10kt day and really try it out.

. Turning speed is a big issue for me in the search for the right sub 10kt kite. I have a chrono 12 which makes good power but you can pull the bar and go make a cuppa while it turns and it can be hard to link the first power stroke with the 2nd without losing momentum.

Leighbreeze
WA, 531 posts
17 Aug 2020 5:49PM
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KBGhost said..
Funny you mention the Nova 10 Leigh I reckon that's another contender for *the* light wind foiling kite for us heavier guys. I have a mate with one and it's impressive. He's actually ordered the same but in light weight material as this is the only fault in his mind, sometimes the equation doesn't add up and it falls out the sky. From what I've seen, including beach flying when it's too light to ride, it's a responsive fast turning kite in light winds which is rare.



Select to expand quote
KBGhost said..
Funny you mention the Nova 10 Leigh I reckon that's another contender for *the* light wind foiling kite for us heavier guys. I have a mate with one and it's impressive. He's actually ordered the same but in light weight material as this is the only fault in his mind, sometimes the equation doesn't add up and it falls out the sky. From what I've seen, including beach flying when it's too light to ride, it's a responsive fast turning kite in light winds which is rare.


Well after using the 8mP4 on Saturday in 6-10 kts
with standard 24m lines which equates to 27m with P4 bridles and comparing the 10m Nova in similar winds,IMO the 8mP4 was more effective.
Nova lower wingtip curled up slightly on the edge of the window.It wanted to fly more forward.
P4 just sat Slightly back in the window being more controllable.A10m P4 would be an interesting low wind size also.
The 8m P4 is really efficient for its size.
Two line lengths with separate bars would be handy for the 8m P4.

Alysum
NSW, 1024 posts
19 Aug 2020 9:24AM
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I have a question... since it's much harder to relaunch the kite in the water, what are your experiences with packing down a foil kite and swimming back to shore ? Is it more work wrapping it all up ? Does the lack of a floating kite make it harder ?

airsail
QLD, 1239 posts
19 Aug 2020 3:37PM
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I've had a few swim ins with a Peak 4 mtr, it's very easy. Just wrap the lines around the bar until you get to the kite. I carry a small mesh laundry bag with me now so I just push the canopy into the bag, then bridles and finally the bar, leave your safety attached. It will just sit on your board in front of you as you paddle in. Without the bag it is harder and you need to wrap the kite up with the bridles and lines as bits poke out and cause drag paddling in.Once in, unpack the bag in reverse order, unwind the bar, set up the kite. You won't normally have any tangles, relauch and head back out, quick and easy.

KBGhost
QLD, 260 posts
21 Aug 2020 9:07PM
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Had a cheeky kite today when the offshore turned onshore against forecast for an hour or two.

Had a nice 25m session on the peak 4 5m but ran out of power with my axis 600 wing as it dropped away.

Mate showed up with the Aluula flite 14.5 and I had a quick try of that on the water.

It made enough power to foil once I figured it out. So so slow after switching straight off the 5m, but it turned tight enough to loop easily but it felt as slow as a soul 12, but with tighter turning.

Also they like to make power like a Foil kite, bar out and let it speed across the window. At first I was choking it after coming straight off the peak which likes bar tension mid way thru the loop to make max power.

However transitions were still dodgy I tried a carve to toeside and had to bail out and carve away again half way thru as it was falling out the sky. It recovered though after I pulled out all stops to regain line tension. This would be 90%+ user error I'm sure but it's not magic either.

It also Hindenburged on my mate out of the blue while just standing chatting on beach. However it was say 5-7kts at this point, and with some running back he caught it & it recovered, the light weight helped.

I would love to try peak 4 8m & 13m plus flite & Aluula roam 10m back to back in these conditions.

Jhana
WA, 120 posts
21 Aug 2020 10:20PM
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KBGhost said..
Had a cheeky kite today when the offshore turned onshore against forecast for an hour or two.

Had a nice 25m session on the peak 4 5m but ran out of power with my axis 600 wing as it dropped away.

Mate showed up with the Aluula flite 14.5 and I had a quick try of that on the water.

It made enough power to foil once I figured it out. So so slow after switching straight off the 5m, but it turned tight enough to loop easily but it felt as slow as a soul 12, but with tighter turning.

Also they like to make power like a Foil kite, bar out and let it speed across the window. At first I was choking it after coming straight off the peak which likes bar tension mid way thru the loop to make max power.

However transitions were still dodgy I tried a carve to toeside and had to bail out and carve away again half way thru as it was falling out the sky. It recovered though after I pulled out all stops to regain line tension. This would be 90%+ user error I'm sure but it's not magic either.

It also Hindenburged on my mate out of the blue while just standing chatting on beach. However it was say 5-7kts at this point, and with some running back he caught it & it recovered, the light weight helped.

I would love to try peak 4 8m & 13m plus flite & Aluula roam 10m back to back in these conditions.


I have a 13m Peak4 it flies in 3 knots - yes slow but it will get you in if the wind drops!

jamesperth
WA, 610 posts
25 Aug 2020 7:20PM
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I got my 8-10 knot session today on my 13m Peak 4.
Today We were blessed with a winter seabreeze, 19 degrees and a cloudless sky in Perth. It delivered a bit of a unicorn session really - no weed, flat water where it's usually choppy, and only my buddy and I on the water.
At the beginning when the wind was low (red arrows) I used a loop to get riding - mainly because without straps and a heavy foil it's hard to keep the board in position for a regular "over the top" start. Turning speed is slow - like really slow for anyone coming from LEI- but the power spike is gentle and she seems to generate more usable lift on the way back up to 12.

Once riding it delivers the cable park feeling that all big foil kites give - a constant, endless pull you can edge against all day long. Total Park and Ride.
Upwind angles were great (axis 680 surf wing), deep downwind was sublime with minimal steering required
an hour later with 20km in the bank the wind had picked up and I was working hard. We think it was about 12 gusting 14 and the Peak was noisily flapping.

Super stoked with the purchase. Wind range is probably a bit narrower than I expected- I reckon at 15 knots you'd be over it and looking to change down, whereas a 12-15 Soul/Sonic you'd able to better manage it, but in the light stuff I doubt there is an easier kite to fly.

TLDR: Powerful and forgiving single skin. Never misbehaved even when 100% slack lining by making long drawn out lazy foiling jibes in LW underneath it. ) Perfect park and ride kite for Clydesdale class foilers like me (95kg)

CFLKiter
52 posts
25 Aug 2020 10:34PM
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jamesperth said..
I got my 8-10 knot session today on my 13m Peak 4.
Today We were blessed with a winter seabreeze, 19 degrees and a cloudless sky in Perth. It delivered a bit of a unicorn session really - no weed, flat water where it's usually choppy, and only my buddy and I on the water.
At the beginning when the wind was low (red arrows) I used a loop to get riding - mainly because without straps and a heavy foil it's hard to keep the board in position for a regular "over the top" start. Turning speed is slow - like really slow for anyone coming from LEI- but the power spike is gentle and she seems to generate more usable lift on the way back up to 12.

Once riding it delivers the cable park feeling that all big foil kites give - a constant, endless pull you can edge against all day long. Total Park and Ride.
Upwind angles were great (axis 680 surf wing), deep downwind was sublime with minimal steering required
an hour later with 20km in the bank the wind had picked up and I was working hard. We think it was about 12 gusting 14 and the Peak was noisily flapping.

Super stoked with the purchase. Wind range is probably a bit narrower than I expected- I reckon at 15 knots you'd be over it and looking to change down, whereas a 12-15 Soul/Sonic you'd able to better manage it, but in the light stuff I doubt there is an easier kite to fly.

TLDR: Powerful and forgiving single skin. Never misbehaved even when 100% slack lining by making long drawn out lazy foiling jibes in LW underneath it. ) Perfect park and ride kite for Clydesdale class foilers like me (95kg)


Thanks for posting this review. Sounds like a session saver for sure. Can you comment on the depower range? Is is similar to the smaller peaks with near 100% depower range? Really enjoy using the kite to whip into a wave then kill the power and just surf the swell. Seems that would be a challenge in wind less then 10 knots even for a peak.

jamesperth
WA, 610 posts
26 Aug 2020 7:07AM
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CFLKiter said..

jamesperth said..
I got my 8-10 knot session today on my 13m Peak 4.
Today We were blessed with a winter seabreeze, 19 degrees and a cloudless sky in Perth. It delivered a bit of a unicorn session really - no weed, flat water where it's usually choppy, and only my buddy and I on the water.
At the beginning when the wind was low (red arrows) I used a loop to get riding - mainly because without straps and a heavy foil it's hard to keep the board in position for a regular "over the top" start. Turning speed is slow - like really slow for anyone coming from LEI- but the power spike is gentle and she seems to generate more usable lift on the way back up to 12.

Once riding it delivers the cable park feeling that all big foil kites give - a constant, endless pull you can edge against all day long. Total Park and Ride.
Upwind angles were great (axis 680 surf wing), deep downwind was sublime with minimal steering required
an hour later with 20km in the bank the wind had picked up and I was working hard. We think it was about 12 gusting 14 and the Peak was noisily flapping.

Super stoked with the purchase. Wind range is probably a bit narrower than I expected- I reckon at 15 knots you'd be over it and looking to change down, whereas a 12-15 Soul/Sonic you'd able to better manage it, but in the light stuff I doubt there is an easier kite to fly.

TLDR: Powerful and forgiving single skin. Never misbehaved even when 100% slack lining by making long drawn out lazy foiling jibes in LW underneath it. ) Perfect park and ride kite for Clydesdale class foilers like me (95kg)



Thanks for posting this review. Sounds like a session saver for sure. Can you comment on the depower range? Is is similar to the smaller peaks with near 100% depower range? Really enjoy using the kite to whip into a wave then kill the power and just surf the swell. Seems that would be a challenge in wind less then 10 knots even for a peak.


Depower felt exactly the same as on the smaller sizes. My reference is how the 5 flies in 18 knots as they what I used all last summer. I've now got the 4 (not used it yet) and the 8 & 13.

KBGhost
QLD, 260 posts
26 Aug 2020 1:50PM
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Hi James, thanks for the update. How do you think it would go in slightly less, 6-8kts? Were you struggling to get up in 8kts?

How was the turning speed, could you loop the kite ok? I'm not a fan of trying to loop race kites between the length and the tip folding tendency, so interested in the comparison...

I'll be interested to see whether you keep using the 8m or skip straight to the 5m from the 13. I think I would maybe.

I had the 5m out on the weekend in gusty (offshore) strong wind. The 4m (or even 3m) would have been much better but I don't own one, thinking about buying one though. The 5 was flapping noisily as you say especially when the 25+kt gusts came thru but it did depower fine and I was never struggling to keep control. Some others were fighting 7-8m inflatos and not enjoying the gusts.



jamesperth
WA, 610 posts
26 Aug 2020 4:05PM
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KBGhost said..
Hi James, thanks for the update. How do you think it would go in slightly less, 6-8kts? Were you struggling to get up in 8kts?

How was the turning speed, could you loop the kite ok? I'm not a fan of trying to loop race kites between the length and the tip folding tendency, so interested in the comparison...

I'll be interested to see whether you keep using the 8m or skip straight to the 5m from the 13. I think I would maybe.

I had the 5m out on the weekend in gusty (offshore) strong wind. The 4m (or even 3m) would have been much better but I don't own one, thinking about buying one though. The 5 was flapping noisily as you say especially when the 25+kt gusts came thru but it did depower fine and I was never struggling to keep control. Some others were fighting 7-8m inflatos and not enjoying the gusts.







Hi.

Im hoping it goes well in the lighter stuff - will have to see. My thinking is it will be me that's the limiting factor. I was comfortably powered when it was lighter, and simply got a bit tired by the end, but it was still rideable in 14 knots by my standards.

I am using the large Flysurfer Force bar (55-63cm) with 20m lines

The canopy behaves more like a LEI - doesn't fold wingtips, makes a nice arc (not helicopter pivot) and has a gentle power stroke. It seems to make as much power on the upstroke too. Its nothing like looping a high AR race kite, although the last one if Flew was a Sonic.

I think the turning speed is entirely based on your frame of reference - for example i happily looped all my bigger foil kites with no dramas (Speed 3 & 4 21's, Sonic 18m's ). The 13m Peak turns quicker than all of those.

Leighbreeze
WA, 531 posts
26 Aug 2020 10:18PM
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jamesperth said..

KBGhost said..
Hi James, thanks for the update. How do you think it would go in slightly less, 6-8kts? Were you struggling to get up in 8kts?

How was the turning speed, could you loop the kite ok? I'm not a fan of trying to loop race kites between the length and the tip folding tendency, so interested in the comparison...

I'll be interested to see whether you keep using the 8m or skip straight to the 5m from the 13. I think I would maybe.

I had the 5m out on the weekend in gusty (offshore) strong wind. The 4m (or even 3m) would have been much better but I don't own one, thinking about buying one though. The 5 was flapping noisily as you say especially when the 25+kt gusts came thru but it did depower fine and I was never struggling to keep control. Some others were fighting 7-8m inflatos and not enjoying the gusts.








Hi.

Im hoping it goes well in the lighter stuff - will have to see. My thinking is it will be me that's the limiting factor. I was comfortably powered when it was lighter, and simply got a bit tired by the end, but it was still rideable in 14 knots by my standards.

I am using the large Flysurfer Force bar (55-63cm) with 20m lines

The canopy behaves more like a LEI - doesn't fold wingtips, makes a nice arc (not helicopter pivot) and has a gentle power stroke. It seems to make as much power on the upstroke too. Its nothing like looping a high AR race kite, although the last one if Flew was a Sonic.

I think the turning speed is entirely based on your frame of reference - for example i happily looped all my bigger foil kites with no dramas (Speed 3 & 4 21's, Sonic 18m's ). The 13m Peak turns quicker than all of those.

Thanks for the info James
Have the same P4 Sizes 4-5-8m pre ordered the 13m. .No will power.Darn.Sounds like too much fun in light wind a smooth surface conditions.
Probably a few weeks away.
Havent tryed the 4m either but DR reckons the 3-4m need a little more attention.Smaller size Quicker more nimble but with excellent depower Qualities.
Wont be long up here and will have the start of a few seabreezes.
More time on the foil & the P4's

KBGhost
QLD, 260 posts
27 Aug 2020 7:35AM
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Thanks James.

I guess I keep asking because I'm struggling to sort out the 8 - 11 - 13 enigma in my head.

I went out yesterday with Axis S series 820 wing and p4 5m. My friend came down and measured 9kts in the gust. I had a great lumpy ocean swell session. I was working the kite a bit to keep upwind clear of the break. But then I was cruising downwind toeside catching swell with the kite depowered. To be fair I reckon it picked up a couple of knots when I was out there. However my mate was on his soul 12m (which he rigged based on 9kts) and didn't complain of being overpowered.

The 5m just does so much, specially with a big wing. I mean this is the same kite I was in 25+kts on Saturday.

I'm thinking I buy the 4m and wait to see what sizes they come out with next on the larger end.. I still think a 6.5 or 7m that flew as fast as the 5m would be enough for the low end days....

dafish
NSW, 1631 posts
27 Aug 2020 7:42AM
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KBGhost said..
Thanks James.

I guess I keep asking because I'm struggling to sort out the 8 - 11 - 13 enigma in my head.

I went out yesterday with Axis S series 820 wing and p4 5m. My friend came down and measured 9kts in the gust. I had a great lumpy ocean swell session. I was working the kite a bit to keep upwind clear of the break. But then I was cruising downwind toeside catching swell with the kite depowered. To be fair I reckon it picked up a couple of knots when I was out there. However my mate was on his soul 12m (which he rigged based on 9kts) and didn't complain of being overpowered.

The 5m just does so much, specially with a big wing. I mean this is the same kite I was in 25+kts on Saturday.

I'm thinking I buy the 4m and wait to see what sizes they come out with next on the larger end.. I still think a 6.5 or 7m that flew as fast as the 5m would be enough for the low end days....


I agree with this assessment. The p4 5 and big wing will work well with most people down to the 8 knot range. The fact that it is so nimble it's easy to generate power when you need it. Just be careful with the 3 and 4 meter size as the looping can get out of hand quick and then end up stalling the kite. As far as a bigger kite in that range, I think something in the 7 (providing it looped as well as the 5) would be all you would ever need. What is so excellent about these kites is the fact that they travel so well. They pack down to almost nothing.



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"Flysurfer Peak4" started by drsurf