FEEDBACK: HIPE PRO 5’3

Ismaël upgrades to the Pro version of the HIPE and seems pretty happy with it! 😉 Here is his feedback after a transition from the HIPE 5’3 v1 to the HIPE Pro 5’3:

“Hi all ! I had a first session last night with my freshly received HIPE Pro 5’3. It rocks! The wind was very light, I’d say 7 or 8 knots with a few gusts at 11 or 12 knots.

First impression on the glide

Not at all less stable than my HIPE 5’3 v1, on the contrary! Perhaps thanks to the V-strap which is more in the center or to the shape. As a result I didn’t have any fall when not flying or when changing tack in the dying wind.

Take-off

I don’t have the impression that it glides faster before take-off, but rather that it glides better…it’s as if it was floating only very slightly on the water, it feels like it’s higher on the water and therefore pushes less water… So as soon as the wing is a little inflated by the wind, you can pump and hit the hull on the water much more quickly and then fly in almost no air!

In flight

Super stable, super maneuverable, I could sail more easily with angles and the touchdowns were inconsequential! The rigidity is such that I had the impression of sailing on a HIPE v1 that had been inflated to 30 psi.

Conclusion

Very promising! I can’t wait to try it with more wind but it has already done the job because flying with so little wind and having no difficulty in getting to use it is already a feat!”