All,
I am torn between the Cabrinha Drifter (12m) and Duotone Mono (11m) for foiling in light air. I want the kite to hold up well if breeze comes up, which worries me about the Mono being a single strut.
On the other hand, I think the Drifter will work great as wind comes, but will be tougher to fly in light winds compared to the Mono.
Anyone have any opinions on these kites? Please let me you know thoughts. Thanks in advance!
Hi Potts,
I use a 2019 9m mono for my light wind foiling.
Get me up in about 8-9kts on 27m lines and I can handle it up to 20kts on 22m lines (with a bit of flutter), 18kts being the max comfortable limit for me.
A friend of mine has a cab moto 9 and doesn't go foiling below 12kts as the kite is too heavy for relaunching.
The mono doesn't drift well in light wind but above 15kts the issue goes away.
It s a great kite and relaunch in light wind with no efforts.
Go for it 
Do some research on the Ozone Alpha. Well set up for foiling. I have an 8m and 10m.
I rode a 13m Mono in conditions that picked up from light to very powered... should have gone in for an 8m but I'm lazy and it was fine. Bit flappy, but to be expected. Didn't like the on/off power though.
10m Drifter is my biggest kite for foiling, and I prefer to ride my 8m SB (only cos I don't have a 8m Drifter). The issue isn't relaunch, but water-starting -- that's when I know I've hit the bottom end.
I've used my 12m Switchblade in light wind foiling, and it just sucks -- slow, cumbersome, not fun. And very little if any gain over the speed of the 10m, and 12m sucks way more when the wind picks up.
Drifter 10m is fine up the top end, fully depowered, but will pull you downwind off your line if you're trying to carve back into the "waves"...
You don't say what other kites you have, what your foil is, or how you like to ride, but for me I'd go for the Mono cos it's smaller.
Two totally different kites. Maybe look at comparing the Drifter v Neo, then look at the Mono v Core Xlite or the like.
I fly a 2020 8m Neo and am so far really happy with its' performance. Nice and light, drifts back nicely, turns beautifully, plus it is super light on the bar. Definitely worth a consideration.
I decided against a one strut as I didn't feel that at my level I would get much more out of it. Plus the relaunch of those one struts in super light wind is really a consideration. Additionally I don't want a kite that flaps around like mad either.
This is a season or two old now but gives a good overview and should help with your decision making...
depending on what you weigh and what your foil is - id get a 9m or 10m neo.... dont get stuck with a silly no strut or single strut kite that has a narrow range of use. i know someone with the core xlite - says he cant ride it with a surfboard and foil only. unless all you do is foil why would you do that?
the neo will just hang there in the lulls and should provide enough power to pull you out of the water onto the foil down around 10 knots (assuming you weigh 80kg ish).
neo hold their value so well too - take a look at some of the prices people are asking second hand.
Have had a full quiver of Switchblades for years, found they like to be edged against too much for the foil, always struggling to bear off and go down wind. Got a 9m drifter for foiling this year, now the biggest kite, actually the only kite, I use on the foil, if I can launch it I'm on the water, great range and the drifting is perfect on the foil.
I can't answer the question directly but I'm also looking for the best light wind foiling combo/s at the moment. I've traded a bunch of 2nd hand cheapies trying to find what works for me.
I have a mono 9 which nearly covers everything, great kite, keep coming back to it. It's my go to in tricky conditions. Makes loads of power and great initial pop on first loop to get you out of the water. I'm 95kgs need the power. Also a gust muncher.
However when it's too light the mono falls out the sky and won't get me going.
So I bought a trip 12. Nice and light for size, generally won't fall out the sky. Only added a knot or so bottom end over the mono because it doesn't have the same sharp hit of power in the loop.
I tried a peak 8m. Wouldn't get me going when the trip wouldn't either. Lighter in the sky but disappointingly way slower than my peak 4 5m.
I bought a cloud 12. Even lighter than trip, turns faster than trip, doesn't make more power though. Never fallen out the sky although sometimes it still won't get me going.
I bought a chrono 12. Flies in very light wind. Slow as a wet week to turn and accelerate but it will make bags of power when it's too light for an inflatable. It does the job but I'm looking for a faster alternative, slow kites aren't my favourite.
Would I buy a mono 11 for foiling? Personally, No, because if the mono 9 (or other 9 inflato) couldn't make enough power then wind is so light that it's too heavy in the sky. Drifter even less use.
Where am I at? Have some line extensions coming plus a short axis surf fuse with a big 820 wing. I'll try them all again with that combo I guess
Select to expand quoteKBGhost said..
I can't answer the question directly but I'm also looking for the best light wind foiling combo/s at the moment. I've traded a bunch of 2nd hand cheapies trying to find what works for me.
I have a mono 9 which nearly covers everything, great kite, keep coming back to it. It's my go to in tricky conditions. Makes loads of power and great initial pop on first loop to get you out of the water. I'm 95kgs need the power. Also a gust muncher.
However when it's too light the mono falls out the sky and won't get me going.
So I bought a trip 12. Nice and light for size, generally won't fall out the sky. Only added a knot or so bottom end over the mono because it doesn't have the same sharp hit of power in the loop.
I tried a peak 8m. Wouldn't get me going when the trip wouldn't either. Lighter in the sky but disappointingly way slower than my peak 4 5m.
I bought a cloud 12. Even lighter than trip, turns faster than trip, doesn't make more power though. Never fallen out the sky although sometimes it still won't get me going.
I bought a chrono 12. Flies in very light wind. Slow as a wet week to turn and accelerate but it will make bags of power when it's too light for an inflatable. It does the job but I'm looking for a faster alternative, slow kites aren't my favourite.
Would I buy a mono 11 for foiling? Personally, No, because if the mono 9 (or other 9 inflato) couldn't make enough power then wind is so light that it's too heavy in the sky. Drifter even less use.
Where am I at? Have some line extensions coming plus a short axis surf fuse with a big 820 wing. I'll try them all again with that combo I guess
Jesus you're a hard man to please
FWIW I've got another 820 (had one for a year, upgraded everything and got a new one), but haven't used it since I got the 660. Short fuse, 380 stab...
I had 21/15/12m foil kites, and Crossbows. I used to go from 21m foil for ultimate low end to 10m Crossbow. These days, I've come to realize that if I can't ride my 10m Drifter then it's just going to be lawn-mowing boring -- I won't even be able to do 360s or gybe without a slog.
Those are the times I think "If only I had the 21m again" then I remember that those are the times I'd end up having to swim in, dragging that #@&! thing with me.
My "can I ride" test is weather I can self launch on the beach without walking, and if the kite will park at 11 without needing attention.
9m Drifter? I'm wondering if the 8m Switchblade I have should be replaced by a Drifter. Drifter sure does drift, but if I can 8m then it drifts ok too...
Select to expand quoteKamikuza said..
9m Drifter? I'm wondering if the 8m Switchblade I have should be replaced by a Drifter. Drifter sure does drift, but if I can 8m then it drifts ok too...
personally I find my switchblades sit too far forward in the window, at 85kg I find the 9m Drifter perfect
Select to expand quoteSmithy said..
personally I find my switchblades sit too far forward in the window, at 85kg I find the 9m Drifter perfect
It's the lack of drift in the 10m SB that annoyed me, and I guess sitting further forward it's more of a hassle in light wind. 8m SB does much better, I guess cos there's usually more wind 
Select to expand quoteKamikuza said..KBGhost said..
I can't answer the question directly but I'm also looking for the best light wind foiling combo/s at the moment. I've traded a bunch of 2nd hand cheapies trying to find what works for me.
I Yada yada
Jesus you're a hard man to please
FWIW I've got another 820 (had one for a year, upgraded everything and got a new one), but haven't used it since I got the 660. Short fuse, 380 stab...
Yes, yes I am. I want the best light wind combo I can get. 8-12kts. Sometimes the ocean is just so amazing on those light days I want to be out there. The 12m race kites will do it. I believe a Peter Lynn nova 10 might also do it and turn fast as well. That's one I'm watching. Also I'll probably try the peak 4 8 or 11m again.
I have the 820/short/380 being delivered tomorrow. The intention is that's it's only for the wind range above.
I aim to get a 660 wing as well. I will be able to borrow a mates to try. Then I might sell the kite combo I have currently with 600 & 545 wings.. or might keep. It's awesome too. 
Select to expand quoteKBGhost said..
Yes, yes I am. I want the best light wind combo I can get. 8-12kts. Sometimes the ocean is just so amazing on those light days I want to be out there. The 12m race kites will do it. I believe a Peter Lynn nova 10 might also do it and turn fast as well. That's one I'm watching. Also I'll probably try the peak 4 8 or 11m again.
I have the 820/short/380 being delivered tomorrow. The intention is that's it's only for the wind range above.
I aim to get a 660 wing as well. I will be able to borrow a mates to try. Then I might sell the kite combo I have currently with 600 & 545 wings.. or might keep. It's awesome too.
Our lake sucks at 8 to 12 knots, but it's nice to be out on days like that. Ocean back home is more fun, but then the kite really becomes the party pooper and I start wondering about a SUP foil
Select to expand quotebillygreen said..
depending on what you weigh and what your foil is - id get a 9m or 10m neo.... dont get stuck with a silly no strut or single strut kite that has a narrow range of use. i know someone with the core xlite - says he cant ride it with a surfboard and foil only. unless all you do is foil why would you do that?
the neo will just hang there in the lulls and should provide enough power to pull you out of the water onto the foil down around 10 knots (assuming you weigh 80kg ish).
neo hold their value so well too - take a look at some of the prices people are asking second hand.
I had the 7m and 9m 2020 Neo's they are heavy and they backstalled in light wind the 9 Neo was 600 grams heavier than the equivalent Ozone Reo.
Pretty old review and they dont review Ozone probably because they dont sell them - beware of their bias
Have a look at the Flysurfer Peak4 the 8 m weighs 1.16 kilos and the Ozone Alpha 8m Ozone Alpha weighs 2 kilos the 8m Reo weighs 2,2 kilos
After a session on a 15 Soul and a mate on his 10 Soul, smaller kites on longer lines win in ultra light conditions. They can be flicked around quickly to gain more power and once your up they have low drag for greater speed. Lightweight is of uppermost importance as if you can keep it in the air you will get going. Any kite carrying extra unnecessary weight, eg struts, will just end up backstalling. Struts are great in higher winds for stability but wasted in the light stuff.
You also need big wings, not thick surf wings that are slow but thin high aspect like the new Moses offerings, W800 or W1000. My current ultra light combo is a 8 mtr Cloud/25 mtr race lines on a 1200 thin low aspect wing. I will move to a high aspect wing at some stage for greater speed. 7 knots is about my limit but I can happily tack and 360 as the kite is fairly fast.
Select to expand quoteairsail said..
After a session on a 15 Soul and a mate on his 10 Soul, smaller kites on longer lines win in ultra light conditions. They can be flicked around quickly to gain more power and once your up they have low drag for greater speed. Lightweight is of uppermost importance as if you can keep it in the air you will get going. Any kite carrying extra unnecessary weight, eg struts, will just end up backstalling. Struts are great in higher winds for stability but wasted in the light stuff.
You also need big wings, not thick surf wings that are slow but thin high aspect like the new Moses offerings, W800 or W1000. My current ultra light combo is a 8 mtr Cloud/25 mtr race lines on a 1200 thin low aspect wing. I will move to a high aspect wing at some stage for greater speed. 7 knots is about my limit but I can happily tack and 360 as the kite is fairly fast.
How much lines? I've got 2m extensions on one bar, 3m extensions in the boot ... will probably make longer ones when I change lines this year...
Select to expand quoteKamikuza said..airsail said..
After a session on a 15 Soul and a mate on his 10 Soul, smaller kites on longer lines win in ultra light conditions. They can be flicked around quickly to gain more power and once your up they have low drag for greater speed. Lightweight is of uppermost importance as if you can keep it in the air you will get going. Any kite carrying extra unnecessary weight, eg struts, will just end up backstalling. Struts are great in higher winds for stability but wasted in the light stuff.
You also need big wings, not thick surf wings that are slow but thin high aspect like the new Moses offerings, W800 or W1000. My current ultra light combo is a 8 mtr Cloud/25 mtr race lines on a 1200 thin low aspect wing. I will move to a high aspect wing at some stage for greater speed. 7 knots is about my limit but I can happily tack and 360 as the kite is fairly fast.
How much lines? I've got 2m extensions on one bar, 3m extensions in the boot ... will probably make longer ones when I change lines this year...
I use 25 mtr race lines from Ozone. Could go longer but our location isn't great for using long lines due lack of space.
