16m or 9m and bigger board

Enable JavaScript to get the best experience.

Create new topic

Search Subscribed Active Create new topic

> 10 years ago

General Gear Reviews Newbies The Hookup Foiling Lost & Found WA NSW QLD SA VIC TAS

Prepare

132 posts

Prepare

WA, 132 posts

19 May 2006 1:43pm

im 75kg riding a 128x37 tt board living south of sydney and i only ride in the sea.

i find in less than 15knots I really struggle on my 12m waroo. The waves/chop just make life difficult unless im a bit more powered. I read people saying they stay upwind in 10knots on their 9m but I just want something to get me out in 12kts+.

will I get more use out of a 16m and my current board or a bigger board and a 9m? both options will probably work out to cost about the same im guessing

i have noticed a lot more 10-13knot days then 25kt++ days in sydney since i started kiting in december

Kitepower Australia

NSW

4382 posts

Kitepower Australia

NSW, 4382 posts

19 May 2006 4:29pm

I would go the bigger board option first, something like an Airush Exile or an Underground FLX 1.52, although if you are in the surf a lot and can ride toeside allright, maybe think about a surfboard?

I know you will be able to get going and stay upwind in 10 knots with a 12M Waroo on a bigger board, once its 12 knots you will even be able to small jumps and transitions.

I got a couple of Waroos in today, looking forward to demoing the 12M myself.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

quote:
Originally posted by Prepare

im 75kg riding a 128x37 tt board living south of sydney and i only ride in the sea.

i find in less than 15knots I really struggle on my 12m waroo. The waves/chop just make life difficult unless im a bit more powered. I read people saying they stay upwind in 10knots on their 9m but I just want something to get me out in 12kts+.

will I get more use out of a 16m and my current board or a bigger board and a 9m? both options will probably work out to cost about the same im guessing

i have noticed a lot more 10-13knot days then 25kt++ days in sydney since i started kiting in december

Prepare

132 posts

Prepare

WA, 132 posts

19 May 2006 3:40pm

well ive tried my 6'3 surfboard. I find it difficult though. Maybe footstraps would make it easier.

I just want to ride those days that are currently boarderline for me. when its 12-13kts and messy waves im usually struggling to get out of the water or loosing all my speed everytime i have to go over a wave.

ive only ever used 2 small boards. so i guess I find it hard to believe that a bigger one will make a large difference?. id rather a bigger kite and be able to to have fun on a smaller board then to turn the lightwind days into hard work on my 12m

Kitepower Australia

NSW

4382 posts

Kitepower Australia

NSW, 4382 posts

20 May 2006 6:36am

Come and demo my FLX 1.52 x 44cm, you will be amazed at how little wind you can go on with that thing.
Footstraps can make it easier IF they are in the right place. It is very easy to ride a surfboard with your weight too far back, making it bog down.
Nothing beats being well powered in waves though, and I think bow kites excel in them because of how much power control you can have on tap.
Maybe a big kite?
I am going some great deals on closeout stock over winter, my ARM IS VERY EASY TO TWIST!

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

quote:
Originally posted by Prepare

well ive tried my 6'3 surfboard. I find it difficult though. Maybe footstraps would make it easier.

I just want to ride those days that are currently boarderline for me. when its 12-13kts and messy waves im usually struggling to get out of the water or loosing all my speed everytime i have to go over a wave.

ive only ever used 2 small boards. so i guess I find it hard to believe that a bigger one will make a large difference?. id rather a bigger kite and be able to to have fun on a smaller board then to turn the lightwind days into hard work on my 12m

dave......

2119 posts

dave......

WA, 2119 posts

20 May 2006 6:58am

When putting footstraps on a surfboard it is very easy to put the straps too far back and the the board will stall. When setting up straps either ride the board and work out foot position. On a 6' thruster you back foot actually sits where the front fins start. This looks too far foward.....its not

brooksy

498 posts

brooksy

WA, 498 posts

20 May 2006 8:13am

If the 12 is your only kite I'd definitely go bigger before a bigger board, unless you want to get a surfboard for bashing in the waves. The bigger kite will give you the best windrange, but personally I hate riding big kites, so slow. I prefer to ride my smaller kites for as much as possible plus I like the waves so that would lead me to a surfboard.

If you're going big there are heaps out there to choose from - I'd recommend a Vegas

Eye of the storm

QLD

131 posts

Eye of the storm

QLD, 131 posts

21 May 2006 9:08pm

I think you need a bigger kite. It already sounds like you have a surf board (ride it strapless) i live in sydney and probably ride my 17 more then my 12. 9 meter kites don't get used that much and from what i hear about waroo's depower you shouldn't really need one in sydney more then 3 times a year.

Prepare

132 posts

Prepare

WA, 132 posts

22 May 2006 5:09am

thanks guys.

well aftr i said i havnt seen many 25kt+ days on saturday it was 23-28 and I was struggling on my 12m. wasnt much fun. maybe when i get a bit better ill be able to handle it better. Would prefer to go with a 9m+bigger board but im thinking its a bit of a waste as the 9m is quite similar range to my 12m.

Steve when are you going to have any 16m waroos to demo anytime soon?
which board would you recommend for surf/chop. i read the excile isnt great in wave and chop. is the FLX 152 any better?

viffer

QLD

32 posts

viffer

QLD, 32 posts

22 May 2006 5:26pm

Prepare,

Go the big kite

was having similar issues, but don't ride the surf, still a newbie, have a 12m turbo diesel. bought a 16m switchblade, nothing but smiles here on in.

cheers
Viffer

Kitepower Australia

NSW

4382 posts

Kitepower Australia

NSW, 4382 posts

22 May 2006 7:16pm

G'day mate

The FLX is way different and better, the flex helps so much in chop and the double concave+ tail flex makes carving transitions so easy and tight. For absolute bottom end though the Exile works well though, but once the water gets 12/13 knots choppy it gets a bit hard to handle.

I don't plan to have a 16M demo, just a 12. I can do you the same price on other brands of 16M bows though, give me a call or drop in to see us, let us show you what we can do on price for a 16M bow!

Cya and

Goodwinds'

Steve McCormack

quote:
Originally posted by Prepare

thanks guys.

well aftr i said i havnt seen many 25kt+ days on saturday it was 23-28 and I was struggling on my 12m. wasnt much fun. maybe when i get a bit better ill be able to handle it better. Would prefer to go with a 9m+bigger board but im thinking its a bit of a waste as the 9m is quite similar range to my 12m.

Steve when are you going to have any 16m waroos to demo anytime soon?
which board would you recommend for surf/chop. i read the excile isnt great in wave and chop. is the FLX 152 any better?

Please Register, or first...

Topics Reply