CrazyFly Sculp 15m 2013
Reviews / Kites
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At A Glance
The Sculp comes in many sizes, we tested the 9m version a few issues back and this is the 15, there is a 17m as well if you are a bigger guy looking for the ultimate in light wind ability. The shape is a very flat delta design with scalloped trailing edge that gives it quite a high aspect look in the air. There are just three struts to keep things simple. The build quality is very good for a kite at this price point, it’s not heavy duty by any means, but then in light winds you want a light kite. Over previous years the quality and components have been improved considerably. The canopy material is solid with Dacron reinforced wingtips and trailing edge, there are also Ronstan pulleys on the bridle and the bar is excellent.
The Bar
This is a real work of art; we were blown away by the new chicken loop release system. Dubbed the SICK Bar, for Simple and Clean the loop release is one of the simplest we have ever come across to put back together, it also releases with ease under load. Watch the video to see exactly how simple it is. The release is backed up with integrated bar floats; moveable stopper ball and a clam cleat trim system situated above the bar. The bar itself is made from carbon, what else would you expect from the masters of this material? The entire package is really well thought out and definitely worth a look if you get to see one in the flesh.
In The Air
The CrazyFly Sculp 15m is a leviathan of a kite; it’s huge! It is also quite lightweight in its construction making it perfect for light wind duties. Heavier kites with lots of reinforcements struggle in light airs, but the 15m Sculp doesn’t have a heavy waistline and as such feels very nimble. Of course it is a 15m kite and feels totally different in terms of the speed of turning to the 9m we tested a few issues back. But the stability is there, as is the power. This thing pulls like a train, it’s also fun to fly, it might be a little slow compared to it’s smaller siblings but for a big kite it is no slouch and you can have great fun freeriding underneath it on a twin tip in 12 knots. Upwind is good, the high aspect nature of the kite allowing it to punch into the wind window and give you solid performance. Jumping takes a little getting used to as the kite is so large, but when the wind picks up it is very exhilarating to ride. The huge wingtips really help with the turning speed too, and the bar pressure is about right. You can tune the speed of the kite on the wingtips with two settings on the wing tip.
Overall
A great kite for those light summer breezes CrazyFly, the new SICK Bar is brilliant and one of the best chicken loop releases we have seen. The Sculp will be perfect for the rider looking to increase their wind range considerable. It’s fun to fly and delivers in the performance stakes too.
Videos
This review was in Issue 39 of IKSURFMAG.
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By Rou Chater
Rou has been kiting since the sports inception and has been working as an editor and tester for magazines since 2004. He started IKSURFMAG with his brother in 2006 and has tested hundreds of different kites and travelled all over the world to kitesurf. He's a walking encyclopedia of all things kite and is just as passionate about the sport today as he was when he first started!
