Boardriding Maui Cloud review

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Nxnwsurfer
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Boardriding Maui Cloud review

Post by Nxnwsurfer » Sun Jun 23, 2013 10:57 pm

So I recently purchased a 13m and 17m strutless BRM Cloud and thought I'd share my review. As background, I am 185lbs, mostly ride surfboards as my daily driver and have a quiver of Caution spitfire kites ranging from 7-12m that I ride in the bay and over at OB.

I've been spending some time down in So Cal and have been trying out various light wind kites to maximize my time on the water. I've demo'd the 2012 Blade Fat Lady, 2013 Slingshot Turbine and Naish Fly in past. None really compare to Cloud for light wind performance. I've taken my 17m Cloud in Venice/Santa Monica in 8-10mphs winds on my surfboard and able to get upwind easily.
Generally speaking it is so rock solid and just wants to stay in air drifting down the line while riding waves even in the lightest of winds. Relaunching and self launching/landing is a breeze.

Best part is I've packed the 17m Cloud, wetsuit, harness, pump, bar into my 11m caution bag so I can bike down for a kite with my surfboard. First time I've been able to pack such a big kite so compact with all my gear in 1 bag. I haven't flown the smaller sizes. For those looking for great light wind kites I would highly recommend them for low end pull and turning ability.

http://www.boardridingmaui.com
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le noun
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Re: Boardriding Maui Cloud review

Post by le noun » Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:27 pm

No pictures of the bar on the website.
Nor pricing. Unless I'm blind. Or tired after my 12 hours shift.
Any info?
Nothing on the "oh shit" system, etc...
Thanks!
Kites: 2020 F-One Bandit: 10m.
Board: 2018 F-One Slice 5'1 Surf/Foil convertible
Harness: Manera Union.
Wetsuit: Manera 5/4 X10D

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le noun
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Re: Boardriding Maui Cloud review

Post by le noun » Sun Jun 23, 2013 11:29 pm

Nevermind, the TKB review is pretty informative.
Kites: 2020 F-One Bandit: 10m.
Board: 2018 F-One Slice 5'1 Surf/Foil convertible
Harness: Manera Union.
Wetsuit: Manera 5/4 X10D

Nxnwsurfer
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Re: Boardriding Maui Cloud review

Post by Nxnwsurfer » Mon Jun 24, 2013 5:57 am

InitIally made some modifications to one of my caution bars and it worked just fine. Then tried the new blade unibar with fat lady settings and preferred that now to go with kite. Any bar that you use to or like will work just fine. Greg the Cloud designer is more than helpful in any questions you might have on setup. When I was over in Maui picking up kites he helped me make correct bar adjustments in person. Additionally he is working on his own bar that Im guessing gets released soon.

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mcfly777
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Re: Boardriding Maui Cloud review

Post by mcfly777 » Mon Jun 24, 2013 10:27 am

Thanks for your impressions. Would love to demo one eventually, though since this is a small shop that's unlikely to happen. Would be nice if he partnered with a big brand that did not cover this niche, so he could use the distribution and marketing.

leo

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tgautier
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Post by tgautier » Mon Jun 24, 2013 10:40 am

Any thoughts on the durability?

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Re: Boardriding Maui Cloud review

Post by androka » Mon Jun 24, 2013 10:47 am

I'm really loving the new lightweight Kiteless kites
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Aloha
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Re: Boardriding Maui Cloud review

Post by Aloha » Mon Jun 24, 2013 10:55 am

That is so cal brah - so cal that it hurts

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MehYam
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Re: Boardriding Maui Cloud review

Post by MehYam » Mon Jun 24, 2013 3:31 pm

Although I'm not really jonesing to try one, it's always fun to watch it fly. It's also nice to see small companies pushing the limits, taking risks and trying new things.

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Re: Boardriding Maui Cloud review

Post by Nxnwsurfer » Mon Jun 24, 2013 7:30 pm

On the durability side no reports just yet but material quality seems comparable or better to other mainstream kites. I'll report back after season under the belt.

Androka props on photoshop skills!!

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