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11m in 26 Knots

> 10 years ago
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General Gear Reviews Newbies The Hookup Foiling Lost & Found WA NSW QLD SA VIC TAS
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addicted
addicted
WA
42 posts
addicted addicted
WA, 42 posts
2 May 2005 4:21pm
Should I a 90kg guy with 6 months experience be able to handle a 04 11m mid aspect kite in up to 26 knots ?

The specs for the kite says 75kg rider in 15 up to 25 knots.

I was on the beach and it was strong and gusty and I could not walk upwind to get my board after I launched. I didn't feel confident. So I went windsurfing instead

Was I a wimp ? lacking experience ? or sensible ?

Thanks
Nigel
sinbad
sinbad
SA
213 posts
sinbad sinbad
SA, 213 posts
2 May 2005 6:19pm
Sensible your still here to tell the tale.
Victor
Victor
NSW
117 posts
Victor Victor
NSW, 117 posts
2 May 2005 7:30pm
Wise decision.

I think gusty wind can make you feel more overpowered, even if the "average" speed is within the kite specs.
bondo
bondo
QLD
699 posts
bondo bondo
QLD, 699 posts
2 May 2005 10:22pm

Hey addicted - the sweet spot is 20-25 for my 12m kite with me at 87kg (kite is Caution spitfire 04) I can ride it comfortably up to about 27 (although im guessing a bit here), and have had it out in 30, but i really need a smaller kite for 25+ conditions as its not as much fun.

good move not going out though - being too overpowered means a sh1tty, nerve wracking session. best to avoid.
stoff
stoff
WA
248 posts
stoff stoff
WA, 248 posts
3 May 2005 1:49pm
Sensible decision.

If im not sure i'll normally put my kite up and see if i can hold my ground. If i cant move backwards i'll use the safety release and put the kite down.
Even though you can hold more power on the water than on the shore, if you lose your board there is a good chance you wont be able to bodydrag back to it.
not on board
not on board
210 posts
not on board not on board
210 posts
3 May 2005 2:33pm
Not sure I agree with Stoff in not being able to drag back to your board.
When wind is strong and you put it to edge of window, then you can really get upwind dragging. Easy as, unlike when is low wind and you have to move the kite farther back in wind to gain power.
But I do agree best to be sensible.
I am 83k and my old 11m was good to about 28k but my new 10m is better by 3 or 4 knots as long as it is consistant. Not sure what is the range when the kite is getting hit in sudden gusts that are unpredictable.
PsYLoR
PsYLoR
QLD
927 posts
PsYLoR PsYLoR
QLD, 927 posts
4 May 2005 6:39pm
It all depends on your own ability and confidence.
You made the right choice to not go out though if you weren't confident.
The answer is yes though, you should be able to hold that kite in those conditions, but not until your confident in your own ability.
I weight less than 70kg and ride a Slingshot 11m Fuel and can just hold it to 25knots, but thats my limit, it becomes too much of a struggle fighting the power all the time. Usually i'll ride my 11m in up to around 22kn then ride a 9m in any thing stronger.
carbine
carbine
WA
1450 posts
carbine carbine
WA, 1450 posts
4 May 2005 6:00pm
i'll let you know tommorow.
daggy
daggy
WA
528 posts
daggy daggy
WA, 528 posts
4 May 2005 8:52pm
That's good wind... wish we had that!
puppetonastring
puppetonastring
WA
3619 posts
puppetonastring puppetonastring
WA, 3619 posts
5 May 2005 7:28am
quote:
Originally posted by PsYLoR
less than 70kg and ride a Slingshot 11m Fuel and can just hold it to 25knots, but thats my limit, it becomes too much of a struggle fighting the power all the time. Usually i'll ride my 11m in up to around 22kn then ride a 9m in any thing stronger.

Good call addicted. & good call too to psylor
Im the same weight as & I agree with psylor exactly. An experienced rider your weight would probably have been OK but there is a difference bw being able to 'hold it down' to enjoying the ride - esp when you are still on your way up the curve. Just a tad beyond beginner status myself & Id switch from my 11M fuel to my 7M at about 21/22 kts & probably be giving up at 23/24 even if I didnt have a smaller kite.
KiteAgain
KiteAgain
NSW
99 posts
KiteAgain KiteAgain
NSW, 99 posts
5 May 2005 10:15am
quote:
Originally posted by not on board

Not sure I agree with Stoff in not being able to drag back to your board.
When wind is strong and you put it to edge of window, then you can really get upwind dragging. Easy as, unlike when is low wind and you have to move the kite farther back in wind to gain power.
But I do agree best to be sensible.
I am 83k and my old 11m was good to about 28k but my new 10m is better by 3 or 4 knots as long as it is consistant. Not sure what is the range when the kite is getting hit in sudden gusts that are unpredictable.


You can be overpowered to a point where your body resistence in the water isnt enough to get the kite to the edge to really drag upwind, instead you just get pulled down wind, Had this happen to me once when I was on a 16m and the wind was building... building... building... I stayed out till it was over 20 knots, lost my board and had no show of getting near it... Fortunatly I was in a bay and the board just washed up on shore...
PsYLoR
PsYLoR
QLD
927 posts
PsYLoR PsYLoR
QLD, 927 posts
5 May 2005 12:37pm
Yeah true but you shoulda seen the signs and gone in sooner shouldn't you KiteAgain
KiteAgain
KiteAgain
NSW
99 posts
KiteAgain KiteAgain
NSW, 99 posts
5 May 2005 12:43pm
quote:
Originally posted by PsYLoR

Yeah true but you shoulda seen the signs and gone in sooner shouldn't you KiteAgain


Nope, it was fun... even teabagging back into the beach on my nutts was fun...

If I had of been in a location with dangerous things around I would have gone in earlier. But there wasnt much need to in this situation, and besides sometimes you gotta find your limits and limits of your gear... Can't kite in cotton wool all of the time!
stoff
stoff
WA
248 posts
stoff stoff
WA, 248 posts
5 May 2005 2:51pm
Not on Board.

While i agree that it is easier to body drag back to your board in stronger conditions, the problem comes when you try to change direction while body dragging.

If you cant hold your ground on the beach, chances are that when you bring your kite across to change direction while body dragging, you will get dragged or lofted downwind and lose all the ground you just made.

I've had it happen a few times, but mainly with older kites that dont depower as well as most of the current models.
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