Forums > Kitesurfing Gear Reviews

Firewire Vader 5'3"

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Created by Brohan > 9 months ago, 27 Feb 2016
toppleover
QLD, 2033 posts
11 May 2016 5:53PM
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bene313 said...
toppleover said...
Imo, it depends on what winds you want to ride in, lighter wind get the 5'3 - stronger 5'1.

At your weight, you would be ok on either.


I agree. Can go smaller than think though - volume and surface area is very efficient. I am paddling a 5'1 Vader at 67kg and the size is good. Tried a 5'2 Evo and it was a boat!


Even though the demo was too big for you, how did you find the Evo - compared to Vader

bene313
WA, 1347 posts
11 May 2016 4:23PM
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They feel similar. The Evo is said to be more forgiving which would make sense. The size difference is too great to make a good comparison though - the width in particular.

Ermiskitesurfer
8 posts
1 Nov 2016 8:08PM
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So, for kitesurfer 85 kg, the vader 5,3 its better than 5,5 even for learning jibe?

BigZ
170 posts
4 Nov 2016 2:05AM
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Ermiskitesurfer said..
So, for kitesurfer 85 kg, the vader 5,3 its better than 5,5 even for learning jibe?


I am 100kg and 5'3 Vader is a perfect size for me.

Alysum
NSW, 1024 posts
4 Nov 2016 8:17AM
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80Kgs here and I have a 5"1 coming soon

Brohan
VIC, 528 posts
5 Nov 2016 11:18AM
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Looking back I would have gone with the 5'2", but I kinda like the extra volume. Loving the board though, jump hard on it and there's no cracks or anything! The only thing I did was dug my harness hook into the bottom of the board and it made a hole.... Was an easy fix. If you get one put the tail pad right at the back.

Ermiskitesurfer
8 posts
7 Nov 2016 6:08PM
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Drury said..
Hey mate! Glad you're stoked on the board. A couple of things:

Yes the board works great with a quad set up but definitely get some flat foiled quad rears for it. The QD2 4.0 set from Futures will be good. The board has the quad boxes more towards the rail so it won't work well with a symmetrical trailer, you want flat foiled or 80/20. Your trailers are also going to be way too big given that you're using the centre fins in them and the board has a lot of rail bite anyways. This means it will be hard to blow the tail on hacks. Definitely consider a new trailer set.

Also, your tail pad is (IMHO) way too far forward. All of the V boards want their pads as far back as you can go with them. I made that mistake at first and it feels worlds better once you move it back.

Glad you're stoked. At 90kgs it's very good you didn't go smaller.




so, for a quad setup you need QD2 4.0 But you will add the same size fins to all? or you need other size back? please forgive me if i didnt explain my question with the right way. i f anyone can be more specific with numbers. i just find in amazon QD2 4.0 fins and i want to know if i will buy 4 fins in this size or not for a Vader 5.3 (my weight is also 85kg)

DWF
565 posts
10 Nov 2016 11:05PM
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so, for a quad setup you need QD2 4.0 But you will add the same size fins to all? or you need other size back? please forgive me if i didnt explain my question with the right way. i f anyone can be more specific with numbers. i just find in amazon QD2 4.0 fins and i want to know if i will buy 4 fins in this size or not for a Vader 5.3 (my weight is also 85kg)


No, you want F6 for front fins.

marty72
QLD, 298 posts
13 Nov 2016 4:55PM
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I got a 5'1 and find the Vader plaining hull super efficient, gets going in light winds and still good in the strong stuff. For all those that say its not a groveller, this video is in about 12knots an 1 foot wind swell.

bene313
WA, 1347 posts
14 Nov 2016 4:02PM
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^ When I had my LFT Vader it grovelled fine if there was a bit of punch/suck in the wave. Does not look great in fat waves, but with the power of a kite maybe ok.

marty72
QLD, 298 posts
16 Nov 2016 9:18AM
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Just wondering what board does "look great" in fat waves?

ice
VIC, 219 posts
16 Nov 2016 1:03PM
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marty72 said..
I got a 5'1 and find the Vader plaining hull super efficient, gets going in light winds and still good in the strong stuff. For all those that say its not a groveller, this video is in about 12knots an 1 foot wind swell.


your weight?

vendeavours
VIC, 361 posts
16 Nov 2016 9:54PM
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I had a kite on 5'3" and coming from traditional surf board shape I was bit sceptical But was very impressed how this board got up and planed and was able to leave my back foot hard up to the rear pad ridge and turned quite well And would have no reservations to recommend kiters to demo But would like the rails not as boxy and to be lighter So I teamed up with local board shaper and shaped and used our kite brd construction And rocker on our boards was the same as well , so it all came together Pics of brd near completion And will give it a good test and work out at Merimbula classic





toppleover
QLD, 2033 posts
17 Nov 2016 7:28AM
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^^^^Very nice work V, can you tell me what construction used & the final weight of the board when finished please.

bene313
WA, 1347 posts
22 Nov 2016 11:09AM
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I have a Vader inspired custom just finished by my shaper (Katana).

4'11 x 17 1/2 x 1 7/8

Saw the board yesterday and picking up this arvo!

PU blank glassed + vacuumed in epoxy. Some new tech on the deck, a layer of "hexalon".

bene313
WA, 1347 posts
22 Nov 2016 4:12PM
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bene313
WA, 1347 posts
22 Nov 2016 4:23PM
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Hexalon deck:





bene313
WA, 1347 posts
22 Nov 2016 4:24PM
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vendeavours
VIC, 361 posts
22 Nov 2016 9:05PM
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Nice Ben Good to find a board maker who thinks out side the box with materials etc. I still to try mine at Merimbula Classic can not wait

toppleover
QLD, 2033 posts
22 Nov 2016 11:58PM
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Looks great bene, do you have a pic if the bottom contour/channelling of the smook V ?

oldmic
NSW, 343 posts
23 Nov 2016 3:47PM
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great little Board 4'11" wild.
keen to hear performance review.

Ermiskitesurfer
8 posts
24 Nov 2016 3:58AM
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Hi, i just order the Vader 5,3 im kitesurfer 85 kg and i get futures fins ,Am1 control series medium thruster set...
Now i want to combine the thruster 2 front fins with other 2 rear fins for quad set.
Is the Qd2 4.0 techflex good combination? Or the 3,75 ?
Or you think that i have to choose other futures fins? Please notice..
Im not experienced kitesurfer in surfboards..i use to kitesurf last years only with twintip, so i want a stable , easy planing ride.. Thanks

Ricardo1709
NSW, 1301 posts
24 Nov 2016 10:40AM
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Best to get the same construction for rear quads as you then get similar flex patterns on all fins

Ermiskitesurfer
8 posts
24 Nov 2016 9:18PM
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Ricardo1709 said..
Best to get the same construction for rear quads as you then get similar flex patterns on all fins


So you think that its better to get control series to combine. If i could buy a new Quad set is better?and which one? Or its better to combine?

vendeavours
VIC, 361 posts
28 Nov 2016 2:06PM
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toppleover said...
Looks great bene, do you have a pic if the bottom contour/channelling of the smook V ?


Pic of bottom 5'2" brd







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"Firewire Vader 5'3"" started by Brohan