No, you can't get a fast turning big kite there are all slow. But some are faster than others.

Also turning speed is relative to what you call fast. In my book an 11m is slow as hell compared to my 8m and my 8m turns like a freaken bus compared to my 4m!

Plummet said..
No, you can't get a fast turning big kite there are all slow. But some are faster than others.

Also turning speed is relative to what you call fast. In my book an 11m is slow as hell compared to my 8m and my 8m turns like a freaken bus compared to my 4m!

Yes, I can understand that. I have a 9m as well and its much faster, but not that different to the 11m. The 14m is really slow in comparison though. I also have a 17m at home, so it sounds like I need to fly that and compare. Its 10 years younger than the 14m, so I would expect it might be better for turning despite the increased size.

difference between a 9 and an 11 is normally very noticeable as at the 10m mark they move into the big kite category design needs.


9m is that changeover size between small and large...normally.

as far as a 14m goes...well that also depends on the type of kite. For instance the airush Union in a 14m size is relatively quick. A 14m rebel is a truck.

I love my v4 or V5 12 m Reo it turns like 10 m and have used it One Eye and INDO I have 17 Zephyr V5 and it definitely turns better than older models And yes I also send fax Trying to get 14 m Enduro v2 to try against Zephyr and 12 m Reo

wishy said..
Really short lines will make it turn faster but then you have a shorter power stroke and less good wind hitting it at a lower altitude.

Sorry, Wishy that's just not true. A slow turning kite will not turn quicker on short lines, it may seem like it does but that's because its wind window is smaller, so it travels from one side of the window to the other faster because the distance is shorter. The downside of short lines is decreased power stroke and the ability to work the kite.
The design of the kite is what makes it slow, as well as the physical size. You cannot make a prime mover truck turn and handle like a go-kart.
The early Contra kites were very slow, the later models are on par with similar sized kites.
14M and above normally require a longer bar too, make sure you have a bar that's at least 55cm long on your 14M old Contra, even a 60cm could make a difference, but if its a 10yo Contra, then its just plain slow and there is nothing you can do except retire it and get a modern 14M or larger kite for low winds.

Ozone Kites Aus said..

wishy said..
Really short lines will make it turn faster but then you have a shorter power stroke and less good wind hitting it at a lower altitude.

Sorry, Wishy that's just not true. A slow turning kite will not turn quicker on short lines, it may seem like it does but that's because its wind window is smaller, so it travels from one side of the window to the other faster because the distance is shorter. The downside of short lines is decreased power stroke and the ability to work the kite.
The design of the kite is what makes it slow, as well as the physical size. You cannot make a prime mover truck turn and handle like a go-kart.
The early Contra kites were very slow, the later models are on par with similar sized kites.
14M and above normally require a longer bar too, make sure you have a bar that's at least 55cm long on your 14M old Contra, even a 60cm could make a difference, but if its a 10yo Contra, then its just plain slow and there is nothing you can do except retire it and get a modern 14M or larger kite for low winds.

That makes sense , I guess it seems more responsive but thats only cos its not moving very far.

Ocean Rodeo Flite 14.5 and 17 turn quickly for bigger kites, but big kites are big kites.

The Contra I tried a while back was def on the slowish side, I don't think there is too much you can do about it.

A 60cm bar, do people use such a beast? You'd need to keep it a seat in the car.

The 2016 Zephyr moves reasonably quickly for a big kite with the 55cm bar & 27m lines, when I want it to change direction quicker I'll pull one of the steering lines to get it to pivot and I've been impressed with it in 12-15kt winds when guys on 12 & 14's are struggling.

Where did you find it