TheKiteMag - The Ultimate Test Guide

€799

C R A Z Y F LY R A P T O R LT D Subjective Criteria The Raptor LTD is CrazyFly’s ultra-light, full carbon board PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD for freeride and freestyle riders. When we say light, we mean Carving ability incredibly light. The Raptor LTD uses a thinner CompFlex 4T5 carbon which requires less epoxy, resulting in less overall Spray weight than previous models. The wide outline and low/mid Directional Stability rocker make the Raptor LTD very quick and the elliptical double Rail grip concave and double V tips give plenty of grip when driving Planing speed/light wind This is a very lively board, especially upwind and popping. ability when riding powered and it holds the speed well. The Raptor Upwind ability LTD feels small underfoot due to its light weight and has a very Pop low swing weight when you’re airborne. In addition to the high

amount of power and speed you can hold down through the rail, you can really get a good boost from this board. If you’re 8.00to having more rocker in your boards, the low rocker used feels8less progressive in the pop and a bit snappier as it springs you up into the air. The double concave does a great job of 8 smoothing out the landings, though you do get some slap on 9.00 landings unaided by the kite. When you are not airborne with the Raptor LTD and turn your focus to its ride on the water, 8 you find that it is a playful ride through the carves as the transfer 9 from rail-to-rail is smooth and the rail bites hard into the water 8.00 up some very satisfying tail spray. kicking

Smoothness of landings

8.00 7

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

5

7.5

10

Weight

2.3

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Low/Medium

Rail Channels

N

Tip channels

N

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Stepped with mid to tip taper

Tip flex

2

Construction

Carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

N

Slider Proof Base

N

Ease of setting up

8

€649

C R A Z Y F LY R A P T O R Subjective Criteria CrazyFly have updated the freeride/freestyle-targeted Raptor PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD with a big redesign for 2019. First impressions are that the Carving ability board is more locked-in and directionally stable, and this can undoubtedly be credited to the addition of some channeling Spray along the edges of the board which bite into the water for better Directional Stability upwind performance, overall grip, and cushioned landings. The Rail grip Raptor has been coated with a Nano Glide Skin, the latest tech Planing speed/light wind from CrazyFly which acts as micro channeling on the board’s ability base to improve the glide of the board and acceleration across Upwind ability the water. Combined with a very subtle central V dropping into Pop the edge control channels, this transfers to a very well-balanced blend of speed and control which enables you to really fine tune Smoothness of landings the Raptor and get as much out of it as you put in. This central Cutting through chop

V then becomes more prominent towards the tips for better load response and the Raptor can really be loaded up. The Raptor has a7Triaxial Eglass layup which keeps the board stiffer from heel 7to toe for improved torsional control while also allowing the board 9 to flex through its length. Carbon stringers have been added to control the flex response through the length and give 9 a strong pop when loaded. Despite this additional construction, CrazyFly 8 have managed to keep the weight down for an agile ride with low swing weight through tricks. Stepping down the 8.00 rails has also reduced weight and also served to improve upwind 8.00 performance, as the rail bites into the water for lateral drive. Overall 8 the Raptor is a very refined and well-engineered board that would suit all riders from ‘intermediate’ upwards.

7.00