Select to expand quoteVicente said..Jhana said..
I took the 5.5 Hybrid for a foil I found it to be really amazing to loop, it can loop considerably quicker and tighter than the Peak. The power you get is really smooth, I thought to myself this is almost cheating this kite is so easy to foil with. Big loops small loops, it was smooth as. There was no surge of power which can throw you off a foil which you can get with inflatable kites . It goes upwind really well and it is very responsive with very little bar pressure, which is nice because I have a sore elbow. Gusts are no problem and it is really easy to depower and glide.
I also did a Downwinder with the 7.5 hybrid and a surfboard, I was a little under powered compared to my mate on an 8m Reo, I purposely dropped the kite in small waves and it relaunched immediately, amazing, it gave me confidence knowing you can get the kite up quickly before the next set comes through. I did have to loop the kite to create some power sometimes however the kite was easy to whip around and manouvre, I was using 20m lines. The Hybrid doesn't have a lot of lift, but it does have amazing drift, just sheet out a little when you are on the wave and there is no pull from the kite. The Hybrid also went upwind very well on the surfboard even better than the Peak which surprised me.
To get the equivalent size in an inflatable kite you multiply the Peak5 size by about 1.5, so a 6m Peak5 is equivalent to a 9m inflatable kite.
For the Hybrid you would say its a 1:1 ratio 5.5 Hybrid is equal to a 5.5 to 6m inflatable kite approximately.
The launch is easy and the bridles have been shortened considerably compared to the Peak5, the kite also kept its shape on gybes and the wing tips did not collapse. The Hybrid does not flutter as much as the Peak5.
If I was to teach anyone how to loop I would use a Hybrid simply because it is so smooth and easy and takes the fear out of being launched.
I fly Peak kites for foiling and Downwinders and I have put in my order for a Hybrid.
Hi
After reading your post i compared Flysurfer wind range charts for Peak and Hybrid. Peaks seem to be more powerful by its size on larger kites and the opposite happens to Hybrid in smaller kites. The wind range for 5m (Peak) and 5.5 (Hybrid) are similar, from 12-22 knots. The similar charts diverge a bit from your ratio of 1:1.5 (Peak) and 1:1.1 (Hybrid).
Do you see these ratios applicable to all Hybrid and Peaks sizes? Or Do Hybrid and Peak have similar wind ranges at 5ish meters? Are 5ish meters of both equivalent to 9m LEI?
thanks
From my experience the 5m Peak 5 is the equivalent of a 7.5 m LEI, the 5.5m Hybrid is the equivalent in power to a 5.5 m LEI kite, I used both kites on a foil and a surfboard.
Thanks for your answer. I am still in doubt whether a I choose a Peak 5 5m or a Hybrid 5.5m. Regardless the obvious difference of the water relaunch, does the chance of collapsing a negligible characteristic? In other words, I know that Peak may collapse more when you drift it but does this fact make a driver for a decision between both kites? Or is the collapse easily manageable?
Select to expand quoteVicente said..
Thanks for your answer. I am still in doubt whether a I choose a Peak 5 5m or a Hybrid 5.5m. Regardless the obvious difference of the water relaunch, does the chance of collapsing a negligible characteristic? In other words, I know that Peak may collapse more when you drift it but does this fact make a driver for a decision between both kites? Or is the collapse easily manageable?
It really comes down to where your kiting, if you have a kind coastline, one where the occasional swim in isn't a problem (it will happen), the Peak is a good option and cheaper.
But if your coastline is rugged or your planning to travel a distance from shore, the Hybrid is the only option.
Hi
finally I took my decision and I bought a Hybrid 5.5m which will arrive in my town next Tuesday. I read the manual and I am curious about the Performance tuner set-up.
Have you ever trim it? I have a doubt about the set up: if I reduce the C-pulleyline, will it decrease the low end / increase bar pressure?
thanks
Vicente
Hi again! How is the hybrid depower ability? I am still in doubt if I keep the 5.5 or get a 7.5. I'm 80 kg, 39L board, wings (mid aspect 1000 and 1225), wind at my hometown from 10-20 knots. If depower ability is good in Hybrid, I wonder if a 7.5 would suit better to my case.
Hi Vicente.
For the wind strength you stated, your weight, foil wings and your large board I would definitely go for the 5.5m Hybrid. For the most fun the smallest kite you can use is way better in my experience. All it's got to do is get you out of the water, once you're on the foil you don't need much kite power unless you're racing.
Having a kite which is too large will just mean you are running it with way too much depower which will make the steering sluggish, cause excessive flapping and pull you around rather than let you ride the foil.
For my 67kg on a 10L 110cm board with a 840 sq cm wing I've been using the 3.5m Hybrid in wind over 10 knots and the 2.5m Hybrid in wind over 15 knots. Haven't tried the performance tuner, happy with the performance the way it is but will give it a try soon.
Select to expand quotedrsurf said..
Hi Vicente.
For the wind strength you stated, your weight, foil wings and your large board I would definitely go for the 5.5m Hybrid. For the most fun the smallest kite you can use is way better in my experience. All it's got to do is get you out of the water, once you're on the foil you don't need much kite power unless you're racing.
Having a kite which is too large will just mean you are running it with way too much depower which will make the steering sluggish, cause excessive flapping and pull you around rather than let you ride the foil.
For my 67kg on a 10L 110cm board with a 840 sq cm wing I've been using the 3.5m Hybrid in wind over 10 knots and the 2.5m Hybrid in wind over 15 knots. Haven't tried the performance tuner, happy with the performance the way it is but will give it a try soon.
Hey Dave,
Have you tried tuning the performance aspect of the hybrids yet?
