The few reviews of the new Marabou are out and it wounds like a great ss kite with more reliable water launch.
Anyone know who sells Gin in the US of A?Randy - 1-11-2022 at 08:31 AM
The Gin Web page lists Captain Kirks and Colorado kite sports as dealers. For some reason it won't let me post the links. vtliter - 1-11-2022 at 10:50 AM
Gracias!SecondWind - 1-11-2022 at 02:45 PM
Let us know when you get one - would like to hear how it compares to your Peaks!nate76 - 3-11-2022 at 09:26 PM
Hey guys! Yes - the Marabou 2 finally arrived, and I've been getting some time on the 4/8/10/12. Hoping the 6m arrives soon. Quantities have been
limited, but I still have a couple 8/10/12's available. Feel free to reach out to me if you're interested.
Feedback so far from everyone whose ridden them has been really positive, with most people being impressed by the upwind efficiency of the kites for a
single skin - to the point that they are actually quite capable for use with a twin tip in water, which would be a bit of a first for single skins.
I think the Flysurfer Hybrid and Gin Marabou 2 are going to be distinctly different kites. Flysurfer seemed to place a lot of design focus on making
a kite that is very beginner friendly so that you can teach your kids, but that will also be able to maximize someone's kitefoiling experience. Gin
decided to emphasize improving the higher-end performance: pushing the upwind efficiency and lift of the kite while still trying to maintain some of
the signature stability, depower and drift of a single skin. I think this shows in things like the aspect ratio differences between the kites.
I haven't personally been able to take the kites out on water or snow yet, but I have made a couple videos with some static tests if you're
interested:
Nate
CKSnate76 - 3-11-2022 at 09:29 PM
Here's a quick look and first impression on the 8m (I really like the 8m).
nate76 - 3-11-2022 at 09:38 PM
...and here's a look at the 4m Gin Marabou 2. This is a fun kite; very snappy. Can't wait to throw it around in some snow in stronger conditions.
SecondWind - 6-11-2022 at 03:03 PM
Thanks for the info Nate! I'm currently using Peak 5s for hydrofoiling and the setup, ease of use, drift and handling (self launching & landing)
are awesome.
Only downside is water relaunching if/when I end up dumping the kite into the water.
Would like to try out a Gin Marabou 2 soon nate76 - 18-1-2023 at 08:17 PM
So I've finally had the chance to get the Marabou 2 out on snow and figured I post some feedback.
While the kite seems to be mostly advertised for its ability for foiling and twin-tipping on water, I honestly think its strongest suit is going to be
its wide range of use on snow. Except for the guy who needs boost-to-the-moon lift and all-out performance, I think this is going to be a tremendous
all-around kite for most riders. It retains many of the traits that most people like about single skins (small/light pack size, ease of use, lots of
power per square meter, excellent depower/stability), but with enough added speed, lift, and upwind efficiency that kind of put it in its own
category. They are really easy to use, and I've been using the 4m to teach my 10-year-old son how to snowkite. They would also make great buggy
engines.
I'm having a hard time not making the comparison to the Little Cloud Pelican 2: in many ways, I feel like these 2 kites have the same design goals and
many of the same characteristics, albeit in completely different planforms. With that said between the two kites, The Pelican has a bit more lift and
probably a bit more upwind efficiency, while the Marabou is going to be a simpler, more straightforward kite that most will find is easier to use and
more stable in gusty conditions. I've flown both the 10m Pelican and Marabou2 side-by-side statically, and as might be expected the Marabou felt like
it had more grunt.
I'm really falling in love with the 10m Marabou 2 - it is just a great size for lighter winds and has a nice lift profile - not super aggressive, but
enough for some nice jumps and glides off rollers to be sure. I had it out in 10-12mph winds in semi-firm powder and was very nicely powered. I
could jump easily but was also able to edge upwind nicely and didn't feel like I was getting drug downwind nearly as much as on a comparable single
skin.
For me, these kites are going to really excel at backcountry snowkiting, where I like having a kite that packs up light and small, that has some fun
lift and glide, but that also behaves well in gusty conditions and is confidence-inspiring.
SecondWind - 18-1-2023 at 09:23 PM
Thanks for posting the review This may be my next kite purchase!
