Power Kite Forum - General Flysurfer Peak kite discussion

General Flysurfer Peak kite discussion

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utahtami - 26-6-2017 at 11:26 PM

Sean, I agree the original Peak is awesome. It's simplicity is a thing of beauty. I have the 6m (orange) and the 9m. Peak2s, including the 12m, aren't a reach issue. The 4m has been dissed on a lot but I love it. It IS twitchy but a blast to fly.
Steve, about the height thing: ouch. I don't need the orderly, homogeneous quiver thing you have going, must be a tall person thing

Windstruck - 27-6-2017 at 02:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by utahtami

Steve, about the height thing: ouch. I don't need the orderly, homogeneous quiver thing you have going, must be a tall person thing

Nothin but love for ya Tami, you know that! Hard to argue with a woman who can (and always does) ride twice as fast as me on any given day.

BTW, height has nothing to do with my homogeneous quiver. That's the OCD talkin all the way. :evil:

TEDWESLEY - 27-6-2017 at 06:06 AM

The peak 1 6m is still the peak that I like the most. The light bar and shorter stroke work well for me, and the lack of trim function has not
been a problem. The twitchy action of the 4m can be cured by trimming in slightly for a reduced angle of attack. A case of the trim being very useful. As the 4m comes, the AOA is too high for high speed flight and a high speed stall makes the kite very sensitive to steering.
An inch or two of trim and steering improves in a major way. Most flight problems on the peaks come from keeping the bar pulled in too
far and choking the kite. In light wind the kite may be stalling. Letting the bar out until just before the flapping (luffing in sailing terms)
gives the most power.

khaakon - 27-6-2017 at 08:06 AM

Yeah. I agree with your bit of knowledge there on the 4m. It does apply to most Peaks, that you can have a much better experience if you make sure the mixer is in trim as well as the brake lines/front lines. We also put long line extensions on the smaller sizes which made especially the 4m more civilized.

That - I think - , is also a part of why I really like and recommend trying a Peak 1 on a FS bar type Infinity 2 and up. It really shines and puts a big smile on a Peak devoted's face, the characteristics improve somewhat, you can power/depower much easier while turning which means alot in my experience. I even think it made less noise (flutter), but that might be wishfull thinking - or not... And you get proper trim adjustment on the fly, makes life easier ( for like taking a breather without landing the kite).

You are not the only one though, Ted, who likes the original bar for being light and simple. I just hated the hole in the bar bite on the depow rope.

khaakon - 27-6-2017 at 08:18 AM

We did put 15 meter extensions on a P1 6m w/45cm inf.2 bar the other day. It became almost docile and self-flying, we had a big laugh it was really strange to fly, just still touching on the recognisable.

Blitzhound - 28-6-2017 at 01:26 PM

Had an early morning minus tide today. Got a solid couple of hours in under the Big Blue bed sheet. Winds varied from 3-6mph. I find her bottom end is right around 4mph. I was able to build some apparent speed and get moving. We weren't going anywhere fast. Top speed was 18.7mph but I got in 8 miles before the wind died to nothing. When the wind sock was laying dead on the stick it was time to pack it in.

P.S. I love the stopper ball....I love this kite!

TEDWESLEY - 29-6-2017 at 09:16 AM

I haven't tried the line extensions, zippy works for me with the 4m. I'm more likely to change sizes if there is something lacking in the flight pattern, rather than add extensions.
The ball is a very good thing. I've taught myself to check it on a regular basis, but still find it play sometimes when not needed. Never a problem though.

Windstruck - 9-7-2017 at 07:46 PM

Let it be known far and wide, we've got a new PEAK fanboy in the house and his name is Blitzhound! :moon:

Quote: Originally posted by Blitzhound

Holy shnikies! Did I just join the Peak fanboy club?

If you like the PEAKs, wait till you try the LS2s... :evil:

eric67m - 9-7-2017 at 10:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Windstruck

If you like the PEAKs, wait till you try the LS2s... :evil:

Windstruck, did you end up getting one LS2 bar or one for every kite?

Windstruck - 10-7-2017 at 05:13 AM

Quote: Originally posted by eric67m

Quote: Originally posted by Windstruck

If you like the PEAKs, wait till you try the LS2s... :evil:

Windstruck, did you end up getting one LS2 bar or one for every kite?

That's one of this setup's nice things, ONE BAR. The ends of the bar have an easy adjustment allowing you to vary the width of the outer lines from 45-60 cm apart in 5 cm increments. I do have a backup set of lines.

Windstruck - 23-7-2017 at 06:29 AM

Some sweet Peak Porn for those that believe.

Windstruck - 3-8-2017 at 07:41 PM

More of that sweet Peak Porn goodness! Who ever said SS gots no lift? :P

ssayre - 4-8-2017 at 05:28 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Windstruck

More of that sweet Peak Porn goodness! Who ever said SS gots no lift? :P

That's pretty awesome. I find this type of footage much more appealing than board grabs and flipping the board all over the place for no reason.

Blitzhound - 6-8-2017 at 10:06 PM

Some home made Peak Porn. Ocean Shores Wa. Wind SW at 6mph. This thing is an amazing low wind machine. The only think I could think of that might be better is a 15m Peak........ Just sayin...

eric67m - 6-8-2017 at 10:31 PM

That appears to be vintage peak porn...

I saw a peak three way this weekend but I don't believe it was filmed.

Windstruck - 7-8-2017 at 01:19 PM

Quote: Originally posted by eric67m

That appears to be vintage peak porn...

I saw a peak three way this weekend but I don't believe it was filmed.

:wee:

IFlyKites - 3-9-2017 at 12:12 PM

Is the Peak 2 worth upgrading to the Peak 3? Any changes made to the 3's that make it worth paying more for? Thanks!

Windstruck - 3-9-2017 at 01:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by IFlyKites

Is the Peak 2 worth upgrading to the Peak 3? Any changes made to the 3's that make it worth paying more for? Thanks!

I've owned both and I'd say if you don't feel the roof is leaking then don't fix it. The evolution between the P2s and P3s IMHO is a mixed bag.

Positives:

The kite itself is more refined in the P3 line than the P2 line
The reef line safety 5th line system is pretty slick
The bridling has been somewhat minimized
Flies with less flapping and tip tucking

Negatives:

DP pulleys have been reduced from 2 per side to 1 per side resulting in much higher bar pressure
Bar, though refined, has gotten much more expensive
If you want the little ball that you can slide down to hold the bar in place you need to get the pull/pull bar setup because the clam cleat bar doesn't have the stopper ball

As you can see, a trade off. If cost is not a problem and you don't want the stopper ball and you don't mind more bar pressure then the upgrade will be a good one for you. On the other hand, if you like your P2s and the negatives sound like they would bug you then I'd say stay put.

FWIW, you might want to take a strong look at the Born-Kite LS2s. I was a huge Peak fan until I got my hands on some LS2s. I sold my remaining P3s and got a complete quiver of LS2s and never looked back. Just sayin.... :saint:

Blitzhound - 3-9-2017 at 06:55 PM

Since relieving Windstruck of his Big Blue 12m Bed sheet. I have flown both. The P3 is definitely a bit more refined. But I'd say this. If you are looking to get a bed sheet get a P3 if you already have one and are considering upgrading. Stick with the P2. You're not missing out on enough to justify the cost IMO.

eric67m - 18-6-2018 at 09:32 PM

It's time to reactivate the peak thread.

So I have several peak kites but just one bar and line set. My line set has quite a bit of wear in places. If I were to replace them, where are the flysurfer ones available or can I use most any depower line set?

Windstruck - 19-6-2018 at 05:04 AM

Quote: Originally posted by eric67m

It's time to reactivate the peak thread.

So I have several peak kites but just one bar and line set. My line set has quite a bit of wear in places. If I were to replace them, where are the flysurfer ones available or can I use most any depower line set?

Eric, I was going through some kite stuff yesterday and noticed that I have a fair number of extra clam clear adjustment lines that came as extras with Peak bars. They are gun metal grey. I don't have any particular use for them so if that line is part of your worn out parts please contact me and I can send you a couple of these. Steve

eric67m - 19-6-2018 at 06:00 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Windstruck

I'll have to pull out my lines and check. I'm sure that trim adjuster line has some wear at this point...

The lines that I am concerned with are the main lines. The sheathing is pretty much gone.

I hopefully will have my kites out this weekend to check.

jrhook - 19-6-2018 at 03:30 PM

Following and reading back all 15 pages...jeez, what a kite!

eric67m - 23-6-2018 at 05:58 AM

Would a depower replacement line set from other manufacture work on a peak (hq, pansh...)?

Houston AirHead - 24-6-2018 at 08:59 AM

O its a baby kite..nice

eric67m - 3-6-2019 at 04:35 PM

Family portrait time. I'm was de-sanding the larger three and the little one wanted to be included also...

Windstruck - 3-6-2019 at 07:34 PM

Quote: Originally posted by eric67m

Family portrait time. I'm was de-sanding the larger three and the little one wanted to be included also...

That's some of the nastiest Peak porn I've ever witnessed. Well played!
:eekdrull:

jrhook - 4-6-2019 at 02:09 PM

I blush too... yet I salivate!

Blitzhound - 17-7-2019 at 10:37 AM

About to throw some gas on the fire. I had someone ask me the other day if I thought the peak would be the best low wind kite. They are currently shopping for a low wind weapon. My answer was NO. I'll explain myself. But i pose the question. Are the SS's truly the BEST low wind kite? I'm not bashing SSs at all I think they are great kites and as the generations continue they seem to be getting better and better all the time. but are they as the advertisements would have believe. are the best low wind kite period? I say unequivocally NO. I owned a 12m Peak 3 thanks to Windstruck. Its a great kite. very stable. fly's in almost no wind. But...does it make usable power in almost no wind. or should i say sooner than a twin skin foil? I don't think so. if it is sooner its not by much. then once it does start making usable power your not going far or very fast. its to low AR to cut up wind. it is light and stable enough to drift downwind but that doesn't help you get back. its slow in the turns and slow through the window. all of which in my opinion make for a poor choice for low wind. I think one might be better served by a Large High AR kite. fast through the window and able to cut up wind. BUT...the biggest down side to the large High AR kites is $$$$$ the SS's are a good value they are on the lower end of the cost spectrum and they do function well. In fact i would go as far as to say that without having actually flown one the Borne RS's might be the best of both worlds. Keep in mind these are simply my personal thoughts. Please feel free to dismiss everything i have said, or even Chastise me for what i have said here today. i Look forward to the commentary. if your asking why i posted this. I am curious if i am alone in my sentiment. or maybe this has already been established and im just slow. I'm to lazy to read through 15 pages of discussion to find out.

jeffnyc - 17-7-2019 at 01:08 PM

Disclaimer - I've only flown the 8m p4 once... but I've read a lot about them, particularly in regards to foiling (as I am about to try that soon...)

Anyway, from what I understand, you are completely correct, BH. Upwind is not great on those, and low end pull is not any better than a good light fabric big kite. But for foiling, not dropping the kite is essential, and that's where the peaks shine. It will hang in the air in almost nothing. In light wind, once it goes in the drink, it's pretty much game over. And foils go upwind really well, so that also negates that downside. The 4m and 5m seem to be the peak 4 of choice on a foil from around 10 knots (with some work) and up.

I did like the pull on the 8m, and the depower was fantastic - by the time I got off the water the wind was gusting to 18-20 knots, barely felt it on the bar, though it did flap a lot. Seems like a great kite for gusty conditions, and spots where upwind isn't super important. From what I gather, the larger sizes don't give you *that* much extra low end, and top out on the high end much quicker. Be really interested to try a 12m at some point though... :D

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