Recently i noticed that I can go better upwind with my BRM Maliko v1 5.1 than my Ka'a 4.2. I have modified the lines of the Maliko just like BRM recommends. What I also noticed is that the shape of the Ka'a distorts quite easily during gusts. In the middle of the leading edge it forms a dent. That doesn't happen at all with my Maliko in gusts. I suspect that the distortion is bad for the upwind performance. Is there something wrong with my Ka'a or does a modified Maliko v1 just have better upwind performance? Are there any modifications for the Ka'a like with the Maliko?
I've owned five Kandahas so far. mainly because I sold two of the three KA'As almost immediately.
For me, the KA'A only really comes alive when you're properly powered. In lighter or gusty wind it just didn't feel right. The only size that actually worked well for me was the 2.9. The 5.5, honestly, felt like a supermarket bag. I swapped it for a KANAHA 5.5 and the difference was night and day - the upswing angle is insane and it just feels way more locked in.
So my take?
The KA'A might be OK, but probably only if you've got super steady, reliable wind.
KANAHA is MUCH better.All these being said, I still feel BRM is the best if you sail at a spot which requires lots of packing and deploying.
I treat my Ka'a PWs as if they were 0.5 meters smaller - and all the issues go away. For my weight (185#) that's when my 3.6 and 4.8 come alive.
That said, the range on them is not as wide as my modified Maliko V1s (5.1, 4.0, 2.9). I still think these PWs were spot on at the get go - we all just had to get through the learning curve to appreciate how well these fly.
So if the wind is gusty, I go with the Maliko V1s. If its blowing consistent, I take the Ka'a
I initially bought a 5,4m Ka'a, thinking the design would be a session saver in light wind. Worst piece of **** I've ever spent money on, just terrible at everything but packing - low end, jibing, tacking, high end, upwind, just terrible. It was so bad that it would almost never get me in a position to pack anyway. Maybe the smaller sizes are less bad, though I have no interest of trying anything from BRM again. In comparison 777 P.T Skin 5.4m is just insanely much better in almost every way and the canopy packs as small, only the bar is a lot bigger.
Select to expand quoteJve said..
I initially bought a 5,4m Ka'a, thinking the design would be a session saver in light wind. Worst piece of **** I've ever spent money on, just terrible at everything but packing - low end, jibing, tacking, high end, upwind, just terrible. It was so bad that it would almost never get me in a position to pack anyway. Maybe the smaller sizes are less bad, though I have no interest of trying anything from BRM again. In comparison 777 P.T Skin 5.4m is just insanely much better in almost every way and the canopy packs as small, only the bar is a lot bigger.
Amen 
But the 2.9 does fly properly and brings you upwind.
The Ka'a likes to fly off of the a lines more than the Maliko. They are completely different animals. I agree with the wind range being slightly smaller for the Ka'a. It took me a bunch of sessions to figure the nuance out of the Ka'a. There are certainly easier wings to fly but when it is in its appropriate range it does everything excellent.
I got to fly a friends 4.2m KA'A during the week in 15 to 20 knots. I was really impressed with the low end power and how fast the thing flies. Add a harness and I was holding down in 25 knots. With such short lines, gybing is so so easy.
