Slingshot Fuel 12M

This sling shot fuel was bought in America off a pro that had been given it to try out before release in 2002. At first at I was using it as a beginner the kite was quite advanced and the short bar that it came with gave the kite slow moving turns although it did sit in the window nicely.

After a few goes in wind (wasnt too good at guessing the wind speed even though coming from a background of paragliding!!) I quickly grew an understanding of the kite and realised how forgiving it actually is. I was keen to get into the water and off on my board.

I have now used the kite with a variety of boards and am still happy with it and the power it gives through the window and is very good at going up wind. I have also used the 16m slingshot fuel and found that in comparison the 12 is a much friendlier kite.

The kite can generate a lot of power and as I have already had the kite for two years and am continuing to use it even after trying several other 12m kites because of its stability. The durability of the material is fantastic and it is still crisp even today. Just recently I have been using it for land boarding (a first for me a sport done on the land!) and it seems to cope and with its stability it deals with the amount of times I get dragged along the beach - I still prefer being dragged through the water!

Without any doubt the best use is for surfing and it can be used with a range of lengths of boards as long as the wind is right. The kite works best in 10 - 19 mph winds and is at its optimum at about a 14mph constant.

The water relaunches are relatively easy but the main problem I have had with the kite is the valves that were supplied in both the main tube and ribs are a pain in that they are missing the ball to stop them deflating when you take out the pump. This is fine in good conditions but when it is cold with sand blowing everywhere it can take a few attempts to get them to the desired pressure.

Everything else with the kites seems to be cool and have been happy expanding my own experiences on this kite and overall would rate it as a good medium aspect kite.

By : kitesurfer247