Some land based flight testing of the 3.2M and 4M Kanaha:
www.instagram.com/reel/DI48jCXve5s/?igsh=MTdqdm1hOW1oOHRiMg==
The Ka'a looks really nice. I'm considering getting a big one to complement my Flow D-wing 4.2, which either has a mediocre lowend or requires more skill in the low end than I have yet. Today was 12-16 knots and beautiful wind swell, but I struggled getting on foil and staying on foil/riding out of the jibes because of lack of power (and probably some technique), very frustrating. It would probably work if I had perfect technique, but I prefer riding overpowered way more than underpowered anyway. I'm 176 cm/5'9, 74 kg/163 lbs + wetsuit etc, ride a 110l dw board 7'8, 20". Does it make sense to get a 5.4 or will it be so big and difficult to manage that I'd be better off with a 4.8? I was thinking that the fabric and short lines might make it as stowable as my Flow anyway. Anyone have experience with the lowend of both the D-wing and BRM maliko v1/Ka'a and what would be a good size match?
Comparing the flow 3m to the Maliko v1 2.9m, the flow is a real dog at the low end, but more controllable at the high end. I have similar experience on the flow 4.2m, but I don't have a comparable sized BRM. However, my flows were affected by the production defect and are being replaced so my experience might not be fully representative of their true performance.
Select to expand quoteJve said..
The Ka'a looks really nice. I'm considering getting a big one to complement my Flow D-wing 4.2, which either has a mediocre lowend or requires more skill in the low end than I have yet. Today was 12-16 knots and beautiful wind swell, but I struggled getting on foil and staying on foil/riding out of the jibes because of lack of power (and probably some technique), very frustrating. It would probably work if I had perfect technique, but I prefer riding overpowered way more than underpowered anyway. I'm 176 cm/5'9, 74 kg/163 lbs + wetsuit etc, ride a 110l dw board 7'8, 20". Does it make sense to get a 5.4 or will it be so big and difficult to manage that I'd be better off with a 4.8? I was thinking that the fabric and short lines might make it as stowable as my Flow anyway. Anyone have experience with the lowend of both the D-wing and BRM maliko v1/Ka'a and what would be a good size match?
The 4m Maliko V1 was great for me in 12-16kts with a KT 7' 19" 100L at 87kg+gear. I'd imagine the 4.8m Ka'a would be a great fit. The short lines really give the Ka'a a super sporty feel and they handle so well. Pack up is crazy easy and so is relaunch.
Long winded Kanaha debrief: Just had my first session on the 3.2 and 4M Kanaha. Few notes on comparing to the V1 Maliko. 65kgs on 55L
Session was on the lee side of a big bridge and as a result the wind was gusty and swirly thanks to the large diameter supports. It was very challenging and a good test of performance. Wind was in the 17-30 mph range and I swapped from the 3.2-4-3.2-4 during the session and also from 880 to 1080 and back. The swells were 10/10 and I was tacking upwind for around 7 minutes to link into 3-4 minute downwind runs, linking turns in chest high groomed stretched out swells.
Tracks: see bottom of post.
Upwind performance:On the upwind legs, at first I was concerned about the lack of bar pressure compared to the V1. It had me worried that the upwind performance was lacking, but after the session I think it was probably as good or better than the V1. It just somehow has around half of the load. In big gusts it was very easy to sheet out and continue cruising at the same angle, without any deformation or crazy flapping. Due to the reduced load, I can see riding without a harness in the same scenario, but I still hooked in 90% of the time. I didn't have any of those 'oh **' moments that happened every session with the V1 where an accidental broad reach would result in uncontrolled acceleration and 50/50 detonation prospects.
Stowing: I might give the edge to V1 for stowing, as I had that technique dialed. Kanaha is a bit different. When you pull all the lines in, you cannot completely collapse the LE, as the C lines are shorter. This results in a bit of a mushroom effect that needs to be squashed first. Not a big deal, just different.
Handling: I had an older windfoil friend and aspiring winger try it on the beach and he said 'oh man, this is so much easier to gybe than the wing!' as he move the PW through its paces no problem first go. On the water, they felt a bit less reactive during gybes when compared to v1. That is probably a technique thing. No botched gybes all session except for then I was waving at a lady on the balcony of a docked cruise ship as I was making my way back upwind.
Power delivery: on the water it felt very comparable to V1, but easier all around to keep the wing in the right zone. Also much more robust shape when pumping. All that considered, probably makes it easier to get on foil all things constant.
Quiver considerations: in hindsight, maybe I would have been better with a 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 or similar. Although I'm pretty happy with the 3.2 and 4. The 3.2 may cover me well from 18-30 range and the 4M from 15-25 days. And carry both on days like today where it teetered between the two.
Tangles: I had a few, mostly because I don't have a belt and I was trying out a chest net, which had some issues. Tangles are much easier to deal with compared to V1.
After the session with great condition and fully stowing lap after lap, I'm 100% stoked on the PW. Full on pow day. Yew!
I am wondering if any of you BRM frothers have the same experience as me trying to size the wings.
I am a few sessions in on the Ozone pocket rocket but am starting to worry my sizing was off.
I find that a 3m pocket rocket has similar wind range to my 3.6 ozone flow. The PR get up for me in about 11 or twelve 12 knots and seems to have more power than my 3.6 flow once up and foiling.
For me the recommendation of same size wing as a parawing may not be great. I think i am going to need a 2.4 for over 16 knots which is where i would choose a 3m wing.
Select to expand quoteAnyBoard said..
I am wondering if any of you BRM frothers have the same experience as me trying to size the wings.
I am a few sessions in on the Ozone pocket rocket but am starting to worry my sizing was off.
I find that a 3m pocket rocket has similar wind range to my 3.6 ozone flow. The PR get up for me in about 11 or twelve 12 knots and seems to have more power than my 3.6 flow once up and foiling.
For me the recommendation of same size wing as a parawing may not be great. I think i am going to need a 2.4 for over 16 knots which is where i would choose a 3m wing.
I think the ozone has pretty long lines = more low end power.
For the dedicated BRM riders:
Is the BRM pouch and the new gated hook a good call when ordering your first setup? Or have you found you prefer other ways of stowing your kit and harnessing in?
Select to expand quoteBWalnut said..
For the dedicated BRM riders:
Is the BRM pouch and the new gated hook a good call when ordering your first setup? Or have you found you prefer other ways of stowing your kit and harnessing in?
I would get the ozone belt. BRM is not great quality and mine has fallen apart. I have the ozone being delivered this week.
Select to expand quoteBWalnut said..
For the dedicated BRM riders:
Is the BRM pouch and the new gated hook a good call when ordering your first setup? Or have you found you prefer other ways of stowing your kit and harnessing in?
I've tested the gated hook and so far it has been a struggle. I'm using a bungee harness and the smaller hook is a challenge to hook into with my free hand. I think it will be a good option for the 'I sometimes hook in' rider, as it won't be an issue with tangles, but you can hook in when needed.
Select to expand quoteMidAtlanticFoil said..
Long winded Kanaha debrief: Just had my first session on the 3.2 and 4M Kanaha. Few notes on comparing to the V1 Maliko. 65kgs on 55L
Session was on the lee side of a big bridge and as a result the wind was gusty and swirly thanks to the large diameter supports. It was very challenging and a good test of performance. Wind was in the 17-30 mph range and I swapped from the 3.2-4-3.2-4 during the session and also from 880 to 1080 and back. The swells were 10/10 and I was tacking upwind for around 7 minutes to link into 3-4 minute downwind runs, linking turns in chest high groomed stretched out swells.
Tracks: see bottom of post.
Upwind performance:On the upwind legs, at first I was concerned about the lack of bar pressure compared to the V1. It had me worried that the upwind performance was lacking, but after the session I think it was probably as good or better than the V1. It just somehow has around half of the load. In big gusts it was very easy to sheet out and continue cruising at the same angle, without any deformation or crazy flapping. Due to the reduced load, I can see riding without a harness in the same scenario, but I still hooked in 90% of the time. I didn't have any of those 'oh **' moments that happened every session with the V1 where an accidental broad reach would result in uncontrolled acceleration and 50/50 detonation prospects.
Stowing: I might give the edge to V1 for stowing, as I had that technique dialed. Kanaha is a bit different. When you pull all the lines in, you cannot completely collapse the LE, as the C lines are shorter. This results in a bit of a mushroom effect that needs to be squashed first. Not a big deal, just different.
Handling: I had an older windfoil friend and aspiring winger try it on the beach and he said 'oh man, this is so much easier to gybe than the wing!' as he move the PW through its paces no problem first go. On the water, they felt a bit less reactive during gybes when compared to v1. That is probably a technique thing. No botched gybes all session except for then I was waving at a lady on the balcony of a docked cruise ship as I was making my way back upwind.
Power delivery: on the water it felt very comparable to V1, but easier all around to keep the wing in the right zone. Also much more robust shape when pumping. All that considered, probably makes it easier to get on foil all things constant.
Quiver considerations: in hindsight, maybe I would have been better with a 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 or similar. Although I'm pretty happy with the 3.2 and 4. The 3.2 may cover me well from 18-30 range and the 4M from 15-25 days. And carry both on days like today where it teetered between the two.
Tangles: I had a few, mostly because I don't have a belt and I was trying out a chest net, which had some issues. Tangles are much easier to deal with compared to V1.
After the session with great condition and fully stowing lap after lap, I'm 100% stoked on the PW. Full on pow day. Yew!
I know this is your first session so there should be some performance gains over time as you dial in the Kanaha. But the upwind angles for the Kanaha don't look as good as I imagined, unless that is your session using both wings underpowered. As a comparison see my track on a 4m Maliko V1 in 18-22 knots using a harness with Code 1130s/142AR.
Yeah time will tell if the Kanaha can crank up wind as good as the Maliko. I'm hoping that it can. Worries is that maybe it was designed to be easier to manage when overpowered, so it lost some of its 'fang-ability' when using a harness and really powering up. It's all about trade offs in these sports.
The session tracks I shared was in really unstable air, with shifty winds, so that could be part of why the angles were not that great. Also, the wind was coming at a strange angle for this spot, as shown below. A bit more north than a perfect NW for the spot. Also note that I'm regular stance and don't switch feet.
Either way, that session was my best PW session to date thanks to the conditions. Probably would have been less enjoyable with the V1 given the factors mentioned.
So just ordered a Ka'a 4.2m for more lightish conditions. I'm finding the 3.6m works great but you do want to be nice and powered up when heading upwind harnessed in with the parawing low and driving up hard. I've been riding spring fluky winds lately and the 3.6m just has me a bit too underpowered and pumping the foil too much. My quiver now is Ka'a 2.9m & 3.6m & 4.2m 
