Slingshot help

lineman · Since 05 Feb 2009 170 Posts Stoked

So there are 3 models to choose from now if your looking to get something for foiling.
Can someone explain when you want the following....
Ghost
UFO
SST

Many thanks

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1487 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Will the kite be 100% dedicated for foiling or will it also be used for riding a surfboard?

What makes a good foil kite?
lightweight and drift well. turning when underpowered. avoid back stalling.
Easy relaunch.

SST is a wave kite that also works ok for foiling.
I rode SSTs for 3 years. IMO - they are great for surfboards and riding swell.
As a foil kite they are heavy, handle well, drift ok, relaunch is good but great.
If you want a kite 50-50 for foiling and surf - get the SST.

Ghost is an awesome foil kite that also works ok for surfboard.
They are light, drift amazing, handle well when underpowered, relaunch is great.
I sold all my SST's and now ride Ghost kites (6m, 8m).
Those 2 kites covers 99% of the days in the gorge.
If it's too windy to foil on my 6 - I ride the surfboard.
If you want a dedicated foil kite that you might use once in a while for surfboard - try a Ghost.

UFO - very few people have tried them as they have not been available except to a couple of team riders. I tried to get a 5m and a 7m but they sold out before they were available (I know - how is that possible?).
Fred Hope says they are awesome - I have similar taste in kites as Fred - so I'm wanting to try UFO's.
If you want a kite that's 100% dedicated to Foiling - this would be the best choice.

Finally - lots of Gorge guys foil 100% of the time and love their SST's - but most of them haven't tried anything else for more than a few minutes ..... so take their comments with a grain of salt.

geo2 · Since 08 May 2011 103 Posts St. Paul, MN Stoked

Since you mention that the largest Ghost you ride is an 8, does that mean that it is light enough to stay in the air on lighter days, but still provide enough pull to get you on top of your (strapless) foil?
I ride 5,7 Drifters, and would likely tend toward A 9m Ghost except of course there isn’t a 9m:) riding in lighter winds it would be great to be able to do that on an 8 instead of a 10 (I’m 180 and ride a GW633).

Jonpnw · Thu Jul 09, 20 5:48 am **SS Demos**

Ditto what LDHR said .

I have all three models available for demo in Hood River . SST - 6,8,10 , Ghost 6,8,10 , UFO - 3 & 9 Very Happy

Jon

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4910 Posts Portland Unstrapped

that would be the 6m RPM Laughing

scottm · Since 12 Jun 2006 108 Posts Stoked

I agree with Gman, RPM is definitely worth trying, and Jon probably has some demos. I haven't tried anything I like better for strapless kite surfing and foiling. Very versatile, stable, and predictable. The 4.5m and 6m are my go-to foil kites.

Jonpnw · Thu Jul 09, 20 9:38 am **RPM's and More !**

Yes I have a 4.5 & 6 RPM for demo as well . We need to pick a time and location and do some back to back to back . I have a 3m & 6M Rally GT that people have used for foiling as well . Very Happy

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1487 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

lineman · Since 05 Feb 2009 170 Posts Stoked

Thanks LDHR, sounds like you know what your talking about. So if I'm understanding you correctly my BIG foil kite should be a Ghost since I'd be riding that in 14mph.

To bad · Since 01 May 2017 26 Posts

I used to ride SST (5,7,9 and 12m). I am 185 ride strapless 683.
When I first got my Ghost this year I thought I made a mistake.
I love them now. Like LD said they stay in the air, relaunch like mad and have incredible range.
I bought a 6 and 8m and wanted more light wind as I live in the mountains with light wind. I was lucky to try 12m Ghost. I did not like it. I got a 10m and love it. I think there are days I could ride my 8m but usually in the summer it blows hard for 15 minutes then gets light.
The 10m has saved a lot of sessions.

LD I am coming to Gorge for a week. Was tempted to get a 4m, but think hearing you say you can ride a 6m most of the time? Last year I rode my 5m and 7m SST all the tie for a month there and even on big days made 5m work. According to SS tables 6m has better range then 5m SST.

Interested in UFO, but think for mountain riding (holes) the Ghost might be better.

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

I rode a 4m Ghost yesterday for the first time. It was a great little kite!
Plenty of power but didn't jerk me off the board one bit except when the bar end or something dangling off of it got tangled up on itself while I was looping the kite. Speaking of loops.......very docile and fun.
It drifts almost as good as the kites I usually ride (not SS)
For sure hit up JonPW for a test ride and you choose what you like best.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1487 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Jonpnw · Sun Jul 12, 20 11:26 am **Hood River Today**

We have your kites ready to try , a FKITE foil and some big wings . Come demo

lineman · Since 05 Feb 2009 170 Posts Stoked

I live in Fl or I’d be there!
You gave me a guys # in Lauderdale I’m going to hit up.

Thanks!

apctjb · Since 19 Aug 2007 432 Posts Obsessed

Have been seeing more UFO's of late and not only team riders.

Anyone riding Drifters now on UFO's...Very curious to hear first reviews..