SST vs UFO?

markamcclure · Since 20 May 2011 165 Posts Portland, OR Stoked

I got into kitefoiling this summer, using my SST’s. The newer SST’s V5 seem lighter and worked well. My 8m and 10m SST (2017?) seem heavier and seem to fall out of the sky sooner on jibes, sometimes resulting in me dropping the kite in the water during light winds. It might also be more about my skills than the kite.

I am considering getting some UFO’s for foiling (5, 7 and maybe 9). I would love to hear from people on whether it’s worth moving from SST to UFO. Also is it worth it given the lighter weight of the newer SST’s?

I will still use my SSTks for riding my surfboard.

Singlemalt · Since 21 Jun 2015 463 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

You want the UFO, it’s a game changer. Pick up a used 5. That’ll do ya for most gorge foiling. Add a 7. That’s your quiver.

HH · Since 24 Jul 2014 39 Posts Hood River, OR

I have a Cloud quiver and my 3.7 (4m UFO equivalent) is by far my most used kite during summer in the Gorge. I use it in 15-21 knots of wind. Followed by 4.8 (5m UFO equivalent) in 12-18 knots.. My 6.2m only gets used a handful of times during summer. A little more often in Sept/Oct. I weigh 68-70 kg. If you weigh over 85 kg, then 5m will probably be your go to size in the Gorge.

elliotts_travels · Since 20 Aug 2016 14 Posts

I would absolutely pick up a 5m UFO, this kite is absolutely the best in class for kite foiling and in the Gorge, you will use a 5m the most. Agree with Singlemalt, after your 5m, get a 7m. Then your quiver is complete. I would also add a Joystick, the new foil bar. Thing is unreal.

Nak · Mon Oct 09, 23 6:06 pm

At 195, my most used Gorge UFO is the 4m. 20 - 30 mph it's magic. The 6m is way faster than the 7m too. 4, 5, 6 is the perfect Gorge UFO V2 quiver, IMHO. That covers 95% of my riding with always being in the sweet spot for one of those kites. After that, the 3m is just so much fun on big days. Anything above 25 mph works great, but 28 - 40 that 3 is just like going to Disneyland. The 8 or the 9 works fine for the occasional light wind day, and the 11m is really only needed for sub 9 mph days. (Although I watched Jeremy ride his 9m in winds I measured on my boat as 6 - 8 mph.) The 11m is a light wind killer for sure, but gets over-powered pretty early.