Big Kites and Noobs

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Parafin
Parafin
QLD
60 posts
QLD, 60 posts
12 Feb 2007 8:59pm
As a relative Noob - I'm thinking about getting a larger kite 16-17M for the recent ****ty perth wind (I know its unusual)

Anything to bear in mind before I buy.
I weigh 90Kg

Any tips or differences to now about apart from slower turning speeds?

What are they like to relaunch...same deal as a 12M??
user
user
WA
1140 posts
WA, 1140 posts
12 Feb 2007 8:13pm
Just the same to launch. Once its in the air the size does not matter. As long as a gust doesnt come thru that it can't handle!

The biggest difference from a 12 is the turning speed.It will
be S-L-O-O-W !
cwamit
cwamit
WA
1194 posts
WA, 1194 posts
12 Feb 2007 8:18pm
If you’re interested in second hand I will sell you my 16 meter lforce assault bow kite, used stuff all times down in Esperance, will be in Perth this weekend coming, message me if you’re keen. Its two pump as well. Why am I selling... prefer a 14 meter kite instead (some reasons stated below as to why) as I am only 73 kilos.


Regarding larger kites I guess it’s the amount of extra drag in the air a larger kite has... makes it more difficult to go upwind at a decent angle of course depending on board size as a factor, re-launch sucks in low winds - full stop, though as you might know true bows seem to have a good rap for relaunchability. If you want to ride powered then go the larger kite size as someone will no doubt mention get a bigger board but that won’t really help you go powered. from my personal view I have found small board big kite is more fun in light winds as can learn/perform more pop tricks - the slower turning kite means learning backrolls and forward rolls your rotations will be quicker than the kite being misplaced in the wrong spot upon landing - least thats what i found at first.

Hope was some help


jan
jan
WA
1119 posts
jan jan
WA, 1119 posts
12 Feb 2007 10:02pm
whilst i can't speak much for bows... older 16m+ kites generally turn like pigs. i really wouldn't bother with 18m+, play golf or something

any decent c kite with a 5 line setup will relaunch no probs if there is at least enough wind to fly.

at 90kgs i reckon ur in a tough spot, try a wider board before u go longer and a good 05+ 16-17m kite and you will have some fun. if you just want to cruise look into larger flysurfers and even peter lynns, you'll get more low end range out of them.

personally, id rather a 14m, 13-14 knots and just not bother with the really marginal conditions.
gruezi
gruezi
WA
3464 posts
WA, 3464 posts
12 Feb 2007 10:29pm
Ask Puppet about his Zepplin.
poor relative
poor relative
WA
9106 posts
WA, 9106 posts
12 Feb 2007 10:29pm
big kites suck.
ianyoung
ianyoung
WA
649 posts
WA, 649 posts
13 Feb 2007 11:00am
Big kites are great! I love getting out when everyone else is on the beach praying for more wind

On Sunday 11 Feb 9-13 knots directly onshore, 1.5m swel: I had fun picking off a few waves between Scarbs and Triggs when I found the odd spot where there weren't hundreds of swimmers or surfers.

Me: 90kg dry. Gear: 17m FlySurfer Speed, 160cm custom RF directional.

Although big kites do turn slower I can still do a kite loop back loop with the 17m Speed albeit the kite finishes the loop after I land. Water relaunches easy in anything > 6 knots too.

Best part about light windsis the waves are SOOOOOOOOOOO glassy
bigmark100
bigmark100
NSW
584 posts
NSW, 584 posts
13 Feb 2007 1:20pm
agreed. big kites are especially good when you weight 90kg.
Jumping is good as you get more float, on a small kite its all quick and you drop out of the sky pretty quick too.
relaunch is a little harder, as the kite is heavier and the wind is less. but its less likely to get messy. little kites can do all sorts of funny things if you dont relaunch them quickly.

Bowski
Bowski
VIC
204 posts
VIC, 204 posts
13 Feb 2007 1:33pm
I use my ol trusty 04 19m slingy when the winds are light i.e 15 knots, and have an absolute ball. It is perfect for tryin new tricks and the kite is super stable, couldn't imagine loopin it though, it could send you through to the next millenium!! I'd rather be out on that than watchin from the beach, or alternatively walking up the beach. Its a bit taxing on the arms though. Easy to relaunch with the 5th line.
getfunky
getfunky
WA
4485 posts
WA, 4485 posts
13 Feb 2007 12:16pm
quote:
big kites suck.


Sorry PR I disagree.

I have an old 2003 15.5m and there is no denying it is a case of put the indicators on, look over your shoulder... and now it's starting to turn... but when the wind hasn't come to the party it is way more fun than parking ya butt on the beach and watching the few smarty pants with a spare biggy out on the water grinning from ear to ear. Yep it is a mongrel to relaunch but so were most kites a few years ago and that didn't stop anyone.

I love the nice big floaty airs too. The whole vibe is just more relaxed and cruisy. Tres cool I am 80+kgs on a 136 board but am looking for a cheapy 145-150 to make things a bit easier. Wider is probably better than super long though.

A couple of weeks ago I had the 15.5 out while I watched 12m after 12m get launched, stalled, crashed and ultimately packed away. There was only me and possibly 2-3 other kites in the air from Flozzer to Scarbs - bliss

Conclusion: If you can find a nice cheap 16m your mad not to have it tucked away for crud days and also around March etc as the season drops off. See ya out there on the crud days bud
cwamit
cwamit
WA
1194 posts
WA, 1194 posts
13 Feb 2007 2:45pm
quote:
Originally posted by getfunky


Conclusion: If you can find a nice cheap 16m your mad not to have it tucked away for crud days and also around March etc as the season drops off. See ya out there on the crud days bud



like the man says... so call me
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