Kite Strutless
Program
The Strutless is our magical kite for foiling and light wind freeride/freerace.
Presentation
For years, GONG has held a unique concept of an extremely lightweight kite with optional fiberglass battens: the Strutless.
The 40% volume gained by removing inflatable battens is a real asset for travel. But that's not the main argument. The real qualities are in the air. The absence of drag created by inflatable battens is truly felt. The kite glides unrestrained through the air and flies from as little as 3 knots of wind.
With this true 3-batten and strutless design, you gain in glide, low-end range, upwind performance, and relaunch capability. The battens are optional, it's up to you whether to use them or not, and they naturally slide into place along the trailing edge like on a windsurfing sail.
In case of a crash, relaunching in reverse is particularly easy on the Strutless and often the only solution in under 8 knots. The Strutless is so light that it can fly forward and backward by adjusting the tension on the rear lines. It relaunches with less wind and faster. Essential for kite foiling.
Extensive work has been done on the bridles and the ratio with two objectives: exceptional glide even in the lightest conditions, and smooth and progressive depower to improve stability at high speeds.
The Strutless is a freeride/freerace kite designed to be very user-friendly and hassle-free: inflation in 30s, minimal adjustments, and easy relaunch.
In light winds, the Strutless goes faster, points higher upwind, and turns better; always combining a top-level ratio of agility/dynamism/lightness in flight.
STRUTLESS DESIGN
The Strutless features a design without inflatable struts for unmatched lightness and glide in inflatable kites. For kite foiling and in light wind conditions, it's simply indispensable.
Furthermore, this kite is equipped with an innovative and unique GONG system in the market: you can place 3 fiberglass battens into the dedicated sleeves. These battens give you more control and stability in more established winds by perfectly maintaining the profile.
But they don't generate any additional drag. It's up to you whether to use them or not, depending on the feeling you're looking for.
OPEN C SHAPE
The Strutless is an open C shape that combines the glide and power delivery of an open kite with the maneuverability and ease of a C shape.
SHORT BRIDLE
The new reduced diameter bridles minimize drag while maintaining impeccable mechanical characteristics. The kite flies much more smoothly.
Your Strutless also adapts to your preferences thanks to adjustments on the rear bridles.
The new short bridling system enhances feedback, resulting in a much more direct feeling. Everything is more intuitive to stay in sync with your kite.
LIGHT WIND PROFILE
The profile of the Strutless is perfectly optimized for light winds. Thanks to its moderate and ideally placed curve, combined with reduced leading edge diameters without sacrificing rigidity, it creates a kite that glides endlessly in very little air. You maximize the use of apparent wind. You glide quickly without feeling like you're getting dragged.
The upwind performance is simply magical, as is the maximum speed, providing a very pleasant bar feeling despite the large kite size.
MODERATE RATIO
The moderate ratio of the Strutless provides a very healthy feeling across all flight aspects, enabling performance even in asthmatic winds, especially in Kitefoil.
With this kite, we achieve the best balance between essential power delivery and docility in high wind conditions. Even when heavily underpowered, we have perfect maneuverability for loops and figure-eights to get started, and as soon as the kite gains speed, we feel the traction to launch.
The power of the kite is applied even at low speeds. You can feel well supported in the air. The feedback is clear and allows for easy adjustment. This linearity in the kite's power is combined with a bridling system that allows for instant depowering. Everything is under control.
This feeling is reinforced by the absence of drag from inflatable struts. It's a truly sleek and agile design.
EASY RELAUNCH
The lightness of the Strutless makes it easy to rotate the kite on the water to position it on one ear for easy relaunching. Simply pull on one back line and it pivots. This ability is indispensable in certain conditions and when you decide to push the limits of light wind.
The kite is also perfectly capable of relaunching in reverse by pulling strongly on both back lines: essential in less than 8 knots of wind.
Technical sheet
Kite Strutless 13 m2 / NAVY
Technical Sheet:
- Leading edge and struts made of Dacron DP175LL: rigid framework.
- Trailing edge in Dacron DP175LL for good resistance to snags and better longevity in wind.
- Canopy in highly resistant and dynamic triple ripstop fabric.
- Strategically placed Insigna reinforcements on the leading edge for enhanced durability.
- Tips saver made of nylon 1680D to protect the tips from abrasion.
- Cousin 2.3mm sheathed Dyneema bridle with LIROS DC701 connection: very thin, high-quality, and low elongation.
- 100% detachable bridles for easy replacement of worn parts.
- Stainless steel A4 friction rings that don't get stuck or wear out.
- Fiberglass struts that eliminate accordion effect when depowered.
Shape:
- 0 Inflatable Strut Design: 3 optional fiberglass struts: thin and light, they do not disrupt airflow. The Strutless flies fast, generating minimal drag, and stays perfectly in the air in 4 knots. The fiberglass struts enhance high wind range, upwind performance, and relaunch.
- Open C shape: optimized for gliding in light wind and foil. Projection coefficient: 64.0%: relatively open arc.
- Moderate aspect ratio (4.5) for good low-end power and an extremely healthy and linear feel across the window. It provides lift with a kite that remains fast. It's also extremely stable overhead and forgives many mistakes.
- Tolerant profile for maximum stability in high winds and pilot error, allowing excellent recovery in loops.
- Thin leading edge in the center for a fast and sleek kite in the air, while maintaining section on the tips to preserve surface area and rigidity during strong maneuvers or high winds.
- Significant draft for good low-end power. It avoids overworking the kite, less technical, more efficiency when underpowered. A more efficient, more responsive, more forgiving kite in the low wind range.
- Freerace outline for efficiency: leading edge curved enough to reposition for relaunch by gently pulling on one rear line. Very easy relaunch in reverse with this very light kite: essential for light wind conditions.
- Square and swept-back tips with ample surface area for good low-end maneuverability in real light winds.
- Shape of the tips with minimal internal twist for a kite with rotation supported by the ear surface and not by the brake. It maintains a fast rotation, avoiding stalling especially in very low wind conditions or falls under 6 knots of wind. The Strutless holds overhead and at the edge of the window better than any other kite.
- No sail tension: no tension on the Strutless to maintain a fast, stable, and smooth kite.
- Smooth and direct bar feel: you always know where your kite is by constant and measured bar pressure.
- Medium depower as we want to maintain a power foundation in the harness for ultimate glide in light winds. In other words, the front lines support while the back lines handle directional control. Racing feeling.
- "Self-stabilizing" shape with its moderate aspect ratio and draft profile that "grabs" air. The swept-back tips distribute mass slightly towards the rear of the kite to avoid nosedives/stalls. You have in hand a predictable and healthy kite for maximum safety. It gives you time to reposition the board to start again after a fall without panicking with a kite that would just fall.
- Short front line bridling on 6 points to block the octopus effect, with 1 friction ring pulley for more depower and a more consistent behavior in all flight aspects.
- 3 rear attachment points to adjust responsiveness and bar presence according to individual preference.
Buying guide
For whom?
With its 3 fiberglass battens, it's as straightforward as any 3-strut inflatable. So, everyone will easily access its incredible flying qualities. Moreover, it's a kite that, by its very nature, isn't meant to be ridden overpowered, making it less physically demanding.
For what?
The Strutless is the inflatable battenless kite that will excel in freerace/freeride. You can cruise at full speed with a kite that doesn't catch air and glides perfectly in light or gusty winds. Ideal for foil, it also works very well on a twin tip and won't hesitate to send some good jumps.
Understanding our kite range:
Display : the freeride kite for rapid progression.
Vertigo : high-performance kite for all disciplines from unhooked to surfing.
Ayto : the ultimate 5-strut kite for big air and kite loops.
Unik : lightweight mono-strut freeride kite for light wind, foiling, and waves.
Strutless : super light kite for light wind and freeride/freerace.
Strutless Revo : ultra-light and maneuverable kite for foiling and surfing.
Elips : the ultimate kite for waves.
What size?
The Strutless is the queen of low wind conditions. Very slippery and powerful, we love it at low speeds.
Choose your kite following our recommendations below. Wind ranges always depend on your weight, skill level, and the board you're using!
Bar Size:
The choice of your bar size will have a direct impact on the overall feel of your kite. Remember that the longer your bar, the easier it will be to turn your kite. This detail is important when using larger kites, especially in very light winds, to maintain good responsiveness. The longer leverage compensates for this natural loss of responsiveness.
On the contrary, the smaller the kite, the faster it will turn! So, using a smaller bar allows you to balance behaviors and calm down kite reactions. Therefore, consider these factors when choosing the size of your bar and adjust the control to the feeling you like and the conditions you encounter.
- If you prefer smooth and gradual control, you should "undersize" your bar.
- If you prefer fast and responsive control, you should choose a larger bar.
The key size is the 52cm bar. It is the most versatile bar to choose if you want to have only one bar for a quiver of 7-9-12 or 8-11 or even 8-10-13.
When you are equipped with an extended kite quiver, it's best to also have a range of bar sizes to maintain a balanced feel when switching from a small kite to a larger one. Also, note that having two bars reduces wear on parts by half!
Here are our recommendations:
The above recommendations are based on the behavior of GONG kites. Since our bars are compatible with a wide range of kites, you can adapt your choice based on the type of kite used.
Line Length:
Your Feel-X bar comes standard with 80cm front lines, 19m of lines, and 3m extensions already mounted. The original setup is the most versatile and will be your best choice for 90% of your sessions.
One of the main advantages of the Feel-X bar is its great tolerance provided by its shape. By playing with its lengths, or even modifying them with our extensions (sold separately), you further enhance its versatility!
- 22m Lines:
The "standard" length provides a more progressive and predictable bar feeling (recommended setting for progressing kiters). Your flight window will be larger, offering more power at takeoff. This is the setting to favor in light to medium wind conditions, and for everyday freeride use. - 19m Lines:
Shorter lines offer a more direct response from the kite, increasing its reactivity. The flight window will be shorter. This is the perfect setting for advanced kiters, especially for wave riding or foil for more agility. If you choose to ride with shorter lines, you will also gain comfort in high wind conditions.
Note that 22m and 19m are not extreme line lengths and remain a fine adjustment to your piloting sensation.
Prices:
Equipments
Included equipment:
- Your kite, ready to ride (excluding bar and pump).
- A sturdy and efficient backpack: U-shaped zipper for easy storage, ventilation grid, padding, compression straps, bar pocket, pump straps...
- A pump leash loop on your kite to secure it during inflation.
- Universal high-flow inflation valve.
- Repair kit.
- Fiberglass battens: 3 on the Strutless.
- Rear line adjustment: 3 points.
All our kites are obviously compatible with our FEEL-X bar but also with 95% of the bars on the market. If in doubt, get yourself a complete set (x4) of pigtails: PIGTAILS.
Don't forget to bring a pump ;-)
10 years of spare parts.
GONG makes durable kites: that's the basis of our specifications. Never disappoint.
GONG ensures the longevity of its durable kites: offering you all the components of our products for 10 years is a challenge that we gladly take on. Because we are convinced that a good kite today is still a good kite in 5 years if it is well maintained. And this maintenance is good for the planet because it will allow many young people to equip themselves second-hand at very affordable prices.
To ensure a long life for your kite, it will need maintenance.
- We can do it for you in our workshop. Our teams of experts are at your disposal to diagnose and solve your problems.
- We keep in stock the necessary spare parts, including fabric. Just place an order online, or ask your favorite repairer to do it.
If unfortunately the part is not in stock, we will order it to have it as soon as possible.
Delivery
Delivery delay
We indicate a preparation and shipping time of 3 working days. In reality, the majority of orders are shipped within 24/48 hours.
The delivery time, i.e. delivery time of the package to your home, then depends on the delivery location and the carrier.
We work with reliable and efficient carriers. 99% of shipments go perfectly and quickly. In the case of the remaining 1%, rest assured that we will do what is necessary with the carrier.
Shipping fees
Unlike other sites, shipping costs are not hidden behind the price of our products. You know exactly what shipping costs you, and you are not disadvantaged if you choose to collect your order at our GONG Space Center.
Shipping costs are calculated based on the weight and volume of each package, and your delivery address.
Tracking your package
Delivery tracking is managed directly by the carriers to whom we have entrusted your packages. They will contact you by email or SMS to allow you to choose delivery methods and follow the route of your package.
Carriers
We work with the best transport societies to deliver to you throughout Europe and the world within very short deadlines. We chose them for their quality of service and their compliance with deadlines.
For mainland France, 80% of your orders arrive at their destination in less than 48 hours of processing.
For Europe, delivery times vary from 3 to 6 working days, depending on the country of destination.
For the rest of the world, delivery times depend on transit time and customs clearance time. This delay depends on customs and can last from a few days to a few weeks depending on the destination and seasonality.
Please note, transport time is added to preparation/shipping time. Two companies collaborate on your order (GONG and the carrier). Each one masters its activity and is committed to optimizing its deadlines so that you are delivered as quickly as possible and at a reasonable price.
Eco-responsible packaging
Preserving the environment is an absolute priority. This is why we do everything possible to reduce our ecological footprint.
The most important thing is to sell quality, durable products that will be repairable and will please you for a long time.
For our shipments, we use:
- Scotch craft paper.
- Final packaging in high-end cardboard.
- For rigid boards: Flexi-Hex, very high resistance ecological packaging.
This means:
- Reusable and recyclable packaging.
- An almost total reduction in single-use plastic.
- Maximum protection and impact resistance for rigid boards thanks to the innovative Flexi-Hex honeycomb design (35mm thick).
Receipt of your product
Upon delivery, check the condition of your package in the presence of the carrier. A complete explanation email on the procedure to follow will be sent to you when your order is shipped.
Despite our requirements and all the care we take in the packaging and protection of your product, transport hazards may occur, and your product may suffer more or less significant transport damage.
Note that the products are protected in their carton. If you have any doubts, simply refuse delivery and contact us.