In the last few weeks we have finally had the chance to try and use the brand new Cabrinha Drifters 2019 in sizes 6 and 8. In addition to ours, we also collected impressions on the beach from other riders who shared this test with us and used the kite for a while of time, so as to be able to put together the impressions of both beginner and expert kiters who have used the kite in various conditions and disciplines.
The Drifter is the sail dedicated to the Surf of the Cabrinha range, a 3 strut kite from the moderate Aspect Ratio and a nice, very balanced profile that immediately inspires maneuverability and versatility.
The Cabrinha Drifter on the ground
The materials give an excellent impression: beautiful fabric, beautiful reinforcements, fine details.
The inflation valve has a large connection so you don't waste time.
Front bridles with a single pulley.
Setting: the drifter has various setting possibilities, including a very special one dedicated to surfers based on conditions, but let's go in order.
The first setting is the classic one that allows you to choose between feeling on the bar and depower. Option A results in sensation on the lightest and greatest depower bar, while option B in the most direct feeling. I highly recommend trying both settings and choosing the favorite, also depending on the conditions. We, especially in light winds, have preferred setting B, but this is always very subjective.
The second setting, the more particular one, is Onshore / Offshore and obviously refers to wind conditions. The Setting OnShore which is obviously what you will use for 99% of your outings in Italy and not only and allows the kite the maximum buoyancy even with loose lines, the Offshore setting instead aims to improve the upwind and reduce the power of the kite .
The Barra Cabrinha 1x Trimlite
The bar we used was the 1xTrimlite. It is a solid bar, simple, without unnecessary complications ... the kind of bar we love very much because few complications mean fewer problems, even over time and fewer possibilities of mechanisms that jam due to sand and salt. The handle is comfortable and soft enough. The quick release is intuitive as it follows what is now the standard: push forward and the Chicken Loop opens.
The Cabrinha Drifter in action
Raising the Drifter 2019 in the air the first impression concerns the lightness on the bar. The perceived pressure is really minimal. Those who are used to sails more present on the bar at the beginning found themselves a bit disoriented, so much so as to doubt that they could go in the water and thinking that the wind was over! But lightness on the bar does not mean, of course, lower throw. As a benchmark if we want to make a comparison with the Switchblade, the Drifter has a feeling on the lighter bar.
Once in the water, from the first edge there are two characteristics of the Drifter that strike. The first is that the Drifter has a less central shot than other circulating sails. The second concerns the wing's flight window which gives the impression of being much greater than other sails. The Drifter in fact has the ability to position itself very much at the edge of the window, and in doing so it allows simply embarrassing upwind angles. Regaining water after following downwind waves is not really a problem with this kite.
Another feature that we greatly appreciate is the sail depower. When the bar is moved away, the power is completely eliminated, while approaching it you get a progressive acceleration but above all always very soft.
An important feature for a wave sail, especially if it surfs with waves and wind in the same direction, as unfortunately almost always happens in our spots, is the kite's ability to float in the air. In this regard, the Drifter really has an excellent buoyancy capacity and always manages to reposition itself in the air even when you end up too far down due to a mistake or having made yourself take too much hand by some wave.
In conclusion all the riders who have tried the sail have detected a beat much higher than average, a feeling on the bar very soft, a good depower and a good ability to float in the air. Thanks to these qualities the Drifter is not only a sail for lovers of wave riding, but also an excellent choice for freeriding and with features that make it suitable also for use with the foil.
Some riders have found the Drifter a little less powerful than other kites of the same size and would have chosen a larger size to have the same power.
To whom we recommend it
The Drifter is a comfortable wing that we recommend to all freeriders . If your idea of ??
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Pubblicato il 03 agosto 2019 | Blog > Reviews: KITESURF