Crestline Soaring Society

Mike B. let me fly his U2 145 last week. I’ve been flying the Sport 2 155 for a long time, then last year I tried a Talon 154 for about 20 flights. But I hook in on the very low side of the weight range for that wing and it isn’t as easy to turn as the Sport 2. By contrast I hook in at just a tick above the middle of the weight range for the U2 and it seemed to turn about as easily as my Sport 2. (Apparently there's something to those recommended weight ranges.) I also tended to get PIO at higher speeds in that large Talon, I experienced no PIO in the U2.
Where it really shined was in the speed and glide. The bar pressure was much lighter so flying at speed was nearly effortless compared to the Sport 2, yet the bar pressure isn’t as light as the Talon so I still had noticeable feedback when I was pulling in. I zipped across from Billboard to Pine in what seemed like half the time I’m used to. When I flew to the Freeway and back the supperior glide was obvious. And with VG pulled on the glider seemed to track straighter than my Sport 2 which tends to get stiff and hunt a little with the VG near the top. The U2 handled nicely on approach too, even when passing through some turbulence, though I botched the landing when the ground speed went way down due to a headwind and I mistook this and the lighter bar pressure for time to transition to the uprights. When I let go of the base tube the glider climbed out 10 feet. Fortunately it flew almost all the way back straight down to the ground, but I fell and dropped it on to the wheels while the gracious owner had to watch (in horror he politely did not show.) Luckily no damage, except the wheels did leave impressions in the grass.
I have long wondered about the U2 and I was impressed. It isn’t much heavier to carry than the Sport 2, there are no luft lines to attach and it has only one more batten to insert on each side during set up.
I love my Sport 2 but I know it isn't going to last forever. So does anyone know of a used U2 for sale?

Mike Z