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Flysurfer Speed 4 15m

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Created by eppo > 9 months ago, 6 Jan 2015
INTHELOOP
QLD, 1855 posts
28 Jan 2015 6:57PM
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The 18m or 21m only if you are a heavy bloke. Plus the 21m is super slow.The 15m and 18m have similar bottom end range if you know what you doing.The 15m got the biggest range for anybody 80kg and less and is the best size for a light wind kite.

jamesperth
WA, 610 posts
29 Jan 2015 8:37AM
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I agree with the above - I'm 87kg and am finding I'm using the 15 more than my S321 in that wind range. I religiously flew the 21 in anything under 14 knots for the last 2 years and had some amazing sessions, but the 15 is more responsive and I'm having more fun on the TT as a result. But I thind the board is a pretty important part of the equation - on a small TT I don't know whether you'd be able to generate enough speed for the apparent wind to kick in in marginal conditions. That would be frustrating. I find if the 21 will stay in the air, then I'm pretty much guaranteed a session. So that covers me the real light stuff.

I had had a great kite on the 15 and Flydoor (170x50) a couple of days ago in 14 knots. Had so much lift I could basically lurk around behind the break ( staying upwind) and pick off the best waves of the sets - like the SUPers do. Got lots of confused looks from the surfers. Literally could almost stand still. The 21 would have let me do the same thing on a smaller board but the timing gets tricky as its a little on the slow side. I've not flown the S4 21 yet, it's still in the bag.

pilotpete
WA, 147 posts
4 Feb 2015 8:49PM
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I was speaking to JamesPerth and he kindly offered me the Flysurf 12 m Lotus and the 15m Lotus to demo with a hydro foil (Spotz 2) and as I have a Liquid force hydrofoil on demo I offered it to him to give hydro foiling a go………….perfect.
We met at Quinns today 2pm wind was reported to be 6-8 W (Ocean Reef), so James went with his 21m Flysurf 3 and I with the 15m Lotus, now Eppo has covered all the bases with this kite so I won’t repeat other than from a Foiling perspective;
I encouraged James as it was his first time on a foil to try and ride the LF as he would a directional with a little extra front foot pressure to begin with until he felt comfortable and then move the pressure rearward to allow the foil to lift.
I launched the 15m Lotus from the middle of the window as wind conditions were very low 4 - 6 knots maybe less, a few pumping motions on the front lines saw the kite rise and fill out nicely. Getting out into chest deep water was not easy with the westerly air flow and the current pushing on shore, keeping the kite flying was not a problem but getting out deep enough to foil was an issue. Once up and going speed built rapidly so much so that I de-powered a little and the kite stabilized into a nice park and ride position allowing me to settle the foil and pull hard up wind with no problem at all, sadly I forgot to bring the gps watch so can’t give speeds but at least 3 x wind speed IMO.
Smooth, soo smooth is the major first impression you get flying the Lotus 15 and ample power in what is normally no-go conditions for most kites. As I fly Ozone edges this what I will compare to and the 19m Edge is very good in low wind condition but I have to say given my poor tacking ability at this time with a hydro foil stopping and dropping butt into water for the turn-round is the norm and this would have the 19 edge falling out the air, not so with the Lotus it was happy to stay over head and wait for me without a problem. Those of you who have been here will know how that feels. Foiling or I should say double foiling with the Lotus is a pleasure you seem to know where the kite is all the time with its constant smooth pull and bar pressure. Going deep downwind felt secure again with little or no problem maintaining line tension, upwind the Lotus just keeps hugging the edge of the window at angle that can only be in combination with a foil. Jumping with the Lotus and Foil board was no problem I just need to redirect earlier than I would with Edge (turning speed is a little slower than the Edge but not by much) for landing just a timing issue really.
Self landing in light condition was easy pulling equally on the steering line stoppers brings the Lotus down with amazing control. I like the Lotus at lot in combination with a foil board it has to be one of the ultimate light wind combs out there and now we have a dealer here in WA how good's that?
James left with a foil smile, another one addicted to foiling!



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"Flysurfer Speed 4 15m" started by eppo