€1499 (11m)
F LY S U R F E R B O O S T 3 The BOOST3 was one of the highest aspect kites we tested, feeling a little like we’re rolling back the years. But the BOOST3 is a great example of the last 20 years of kite evolution, so the higher aspect is countered by some intelligent bridling and a robust construction to give the BOOST3 a contemporary feel. The BOOST3 is IKA registered so can be used in any racing event, and is also very much targeted at the ‘boosty freeride’ market. Flysurfer have their own unique pump system with the BOOST3 which gets the air in quickly but takes a little bit of working out the first time you use it. For the test we were supplied with the Infinity Airstyle CC bar which is relatively low diameter with minimal EVA and is very responsive and feels very ‘racy’ in your hands. The lines are also very skinny so – before you even get the kite in the air – you feel like you’re ready to put the pedal down. The BOOST3 is quite light on the bar but provides very clear feedback and responds quickly to bar input. For cruising around the BOOST3 is actually a very mellow kite to fly. We are quite surprised considering how it looks in the air, depower is pretty much complete and turning is pivotal with smooth power delivery throughout the turn. You would be happy giving the BOOST3 to a relative beginner and they would find it an educational and rewarding kite to fly. When you do turn the power on though, the BOOST3 turns into a different kite altogether. As you begin to generate more apparent wind it flies to the front of the window and you get some very impressive upwind angles. The BOOST3 feels like it just wants to go faster and is very stable flown at speed, absorbing gusts and with no flutter or negative feedback at the bar. It’s a real greyhound. For boosting, the BOOST3 gives a very quick and direct lift – it sends you up and can do this surprisingly quickly if you pull the bar in assertively. You do not need excellent jumping technique to get height, but if you do have good technique then you really rocket upwards. The BOOST3 then provides a super-floaty ride and you can continue to move the kite to maintain the height/length of this before a soft touchdown. Overall the BOOST3 does what it is targeted to very well, but is also a very friendly and accessible kite regardless of your level. T E C H N I C A L D ATA : Physical Attributes Size tested Kite weight (kg) Kg per m2 # Pulleys # LE hangpoints # Steering hangpoints # Struts LE diameter at widest point (cm) Recommended pressure (PSI) Line deflectors Battens Self-rescue handles Line attachments Ease of maintenance (0-10) Valve protection Tuning points
9
3.36 0.37 No 8 6 5 13.7 9.5 Yes No Yes Loops 8 No No
Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type
D2 Techno Force
Dacron + double layer D2 Liros Dyneema DC200,DC300,DC500 Main lines D-Pro 3mm Straight sewing folded and 3 step sewing Standard but with extra layer Dacron between sewing for reinforcement Dacron All Free Flow Valve (SUP Push Push System)
TheKiteMag.com
UNITS SOLD
Upwind ability Downwind drift / leeward ability Pop / slack test KiteloopDynamic power testHandling Attributes (subjective 0-10) Downloop catch from sent jump test PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability Downwind drift / leeward ability Low end ability Pop / slack test Bar feedback when depowered Kiteloop power test Top end ability Downloop catch from sent jump Linear power development on test sheet Forward board speed Usable range Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low S U end B J E Cability TIVE TEAM FEEDBACK: Hangtime Bar feedback when depowered Ease of relaunch Top end ability Dynamic Attributes Linear powerHandling development on sheet Usable range Upwind ability Lift on sheeting Downwind drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch
9 7 7 9 8 9 9 8 7 8 7 7 9 8 8 8 9 7 8 9 8 9 7 8 8 8 7 9 9 8
Kiteloop power test Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability Downwind drift /Low leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability
Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability Linear power development on sheet Poor Usable range
Good
Excellent
Static Handling LiftAttributes on sheeting
Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)
PARTICIPANT Ease of relaunch
UNITS SOLD
Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at/ Zenith - front stallvalve Pumping deflation and system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size
8 8 7 8 7 7 8 8 7 8 7 7
Repair kit quality Pumping / deflation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size Repair kit quality
AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference
Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT
16 216 455 239
Travel friendly Poor
Good
Excellent