We have been able to extensively test the Hook V2 from PLKB. Read our review what we think of the all-round performance freeride kite.
Hook V2 general information
The Hook V2 is an allround High Aspect Ratio 5-struts kite from PLKB, designed for big air and freeride tricks. The Hook V2 is suitable for both the novice kite surfer due to its stable sailing characteristics, and the advanced rider who wants to make progress in airtime and big air tricks.
The kitebag
The kitebag of the Hook is a flexible bag with enough space for your kite, bar and pump and an immediate plus: you can fix your board on your bag with the special straps.
You can unzip the bag completely to easily take your kite in or out. 2 Sturdy carrying straps to carry as a backpack and on the side also a soft grip to carry the kite as a bag.
When opening, we are surprised by the inner pocket, which contains the kite. This has been thought about! I am always afraid that my kite will come in between the zipper, which you prevent with this and also handy for such an inner pocket when traveling.
The kite bar
We ride the kite with the Commander bar from PLKB. A very clean straightforward bar actually as we like it, we do not need fuss, but KISS. The bar has excellent grip, easy-to-operate swivel system and feels nice and solid.
The kite
As soon as you take the Hook out of the bag, you will feel a firm crunchy cloth. We have received the blue color from Vliegerop, but you also have a kite with orange main color.
All PLKB tube kites can be recognized by the orange and / or blue main color with an additional color. (Only the Synergy uses only orange as the main color). This allows you to spot a PLKB kite quickly.
The canopy
Peter Lynn makes smart use of the best materials and the latest techniques to make a strong kite. They also set themselves the goal of developing a fabric that lasts a long time, so that the rider can fly the kite for a longer period of time and make progress.
If you look closely at the canvas on the leading edge, you will see several triangle panels.
This is called Triflow and ensures a soft and clean transition between the panels.
The fabric attached to the leading edge can bend both horizontally and vertically and prevents folding of the fabric at the leading edge. Triflow provides a soft surface and clean airflow, making the kite fly more stable and perform better.
The entire leading edge is provided with double stitching for more strength. This together with the durable Dacron of which the leading edge and struts are made, makes the Hook V2 one of the most solid kites on the market at the moment.
You can easily control the bar pressure through adjustable settings on your kite. By attaching the bridle more or less far to the bridle attachment point, the kite steers heavier or lighter.
These settings are personal, so you have to feel for yourself what suits you best.
The pigtails can also be set separately. This also differs per person, if you want a more responsive kite or not, you can change this.
Pump system
PLKB also has a “fit for all” pump system. You tighten the hose and no longer need an extra nozzle. A nice cover, so you don’t damage anything and prevents extra sand in the screw cap.
Okay these were the specs of the kite, we are going to fly a kite!
Kite in the air
The canvas is pretty tight pretty quickly when launching the kite and when launching you immediately feel that you have a very stable kite. It steers fairly directly, which is heavier than I am used to, but that can be adjusted with the kite settings.
My kite mate was just fine with this pressure so we leave it like this and go out on the water. The kite remains super stable while walking, this is striking. The kite is standing firm and you can easily walk into the water.
At the water start 2x sinuses and I sail away, hoppa that went smoothly. The Hook builds strength and speed fairly quickly. It is also striking that the kite takes height very quickly. The wind is not too strong today and I am the only one who sails immediately up wind. Haha that is of course due to my excellent riding characteristics, but the Hook does take me there. Then time for a jump.
When I take off I immediately feel the power of the kite pulling me into the air. This is nice, I hang well and I get the super soft landing as a gift. Funny, because soft landings are not my strongest point, but this is allowed in the books.
Despite the 14 meters we use, the kite steers quickly, directly and feels nice and stable from the start. And that is what I like when, as now, I am riding on the North Sea.
Conclusion
PLKB the Hook V2 is a wonderfully stable kite with excellent upwind capabilities. A kite with a good lift with which you can jump nice and fast with super soft landings.
The kite is ideal for the kite surfer who wants to improve his tricks, but if you want to cruise, we recommend the Hook V2!
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