Slingshot UFO V1.1 Review

[@oceanromeo]

This is a nice review. Thanks for sharing. I have 5, 7 and 9m UFO’s. I’ve had the 7m trailing edge down with water flooding the canopy. It is possible to relaunch the UFO in this scenario. In fact it’s really easy to do. You just need to reach up as far as you can on both front lines, grabbing a handful and pulling towards you above the centre line divider. Once the luff curve (part of canopy just behind the inflated leading edge) catches wind the kite will fill with wind and relaunch. Having mastered this technique for the rare occasions that the UFO ends up like this I’ve had no problems with water relaunch. On other occasions and in other ‘downed’ positions the low aspect design coupled with the big flared wing tips that catch the wind the UFO has been pretty easy to relaunch and a proven confidence booster for my intermediate level of riding.

[@KitePaddleSurf]

I have never tried that before with my UFO, I will give that a try next time I crash in light winds. I Have been working on the "walk the dog trick," but sometimes its too light to try that trick in fear of not being able to relaunch the UFO. If this technique works, I'll be stoked for sure, thanks for the tip.

[@Mgamito]

It is really a nice kite!! I have a 9 UFO and it is my best kite for foiling in light wind ( 6 knots and I'm riding ). The only problem I have is to hold it steady in the sand when I'm laying down the lines. it is so light and the C shape make it always moving. Sand in the canapy is not enough. Sand on the front buoy is what works best for me

[@KitePaddleSurf]

I agree with you, the kite does not sit flat on the ground well. I throw my Mystic Majestic X harness over the leading edge to keep it down until I am ready for a launch. Sorry for the delayed response. Have a great day, good luck with the kite foiling.

[@oceanromeo]

I have an old Flysurfer sandbag that I fill with sand each session and place on my UFO once I’ve inflated it. I usually try and land where I left it and instruct whoever is catching the kite to ‘gently’ place it on the canopy once the kite is parked. If I’m doing a tethered self land launch I’ll leave the sandbag next to the tether.

[@KitePaddleSurf]

The sandbags work great too. I kite with a guy in bellingham and he rides flysurfers, and use that sand bag method too.

[@malteduring3746]

@@KitePaddleSurf I use a larger (normal) kite bag with my UFOs the supplied bag is too small for everyday use - very annoying. After pumping up I put pump and some sand in the bag and use it to weigh down leading edge , then self launch. Saves me carrying an extra sandbag. UFOs are great, got 5m and 7m

[@oceanromeo]

Out of interest what size bar are you using for this 7m UFO review, 17” or 20”? Were you using standard 20m line length or did you have the 3m extensions fitted? Any comments on how the kite performs with the different bar sizes/line lengths?

[@KitePaddleSurf]

Sorry for the delayed response I just got back from a kiteboard trip to Florida. I use a 17" bar with 20m line lengths. For kite-foiling I always use shorter lines because I want a faster response from the kite when wind conditions are less then par. For example when catching a small wave and riding downwind I want to be able to maneuver the kite quickly to keep it from falling out of the sky. As far as bar width, I think that is more of a personal preference. I use my 17" bar with a 12m Naish Pivot and that suits my riding style. If you were to use a wider bar the UFO would have a tighter arc, but the response time would not necessarily be faster. In general kites under 11m use 17" bars and 12M and up use 20" or 23" bars. I hope that helps you out, thanks for the question, sorry once again for the delayed response. Aaron

[@oceanromeo]

@@KitePaddleSurf Thanks for your input Aaron, appreciated.

[@cascaderetriever7618]

Maui Clouds are even lighter.

[@KitePaddleSurf]

True they probably are, Its too windy in Maui for a UFO anyways ?