Kite wind range charts

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Dolph

41 posts

Dolph

WA, 41 posts

15 Sep 2012 9:49pm

Looking at buying some new kites
Can you tell me what weight of rider do the kite manufacturers use for there range of use in there charts

Ellobuddha

NSW

625 posts

Ellobuddha

NSW, 625 posts

16 Sep 2012 2:37am

Normally a footnote at bottom of page stating what weight rider they are based on. Most seem a little "optimistic" too.

dafrog

321 posts

dafrog

321 posts

16 Sep 2012 10:36am

usually 75kgs, bottom end with a surfboard/raceboard on flat water. take 2 knots out of range ends to get a more accurate picture. every 10kgs +/- add/remove 1 knot... Should give you a fair idea of what to expect... and not build hyped expectations.

Saffer

VIC

4501 posts

Saffer

VIC, 4501 posts

16 Sep 2012 2:14pm

dafrog said...

usually 75kgs, bottom end with a surfboard/raceboard on flat water. take 2 knots out of range ends to get a more accurate picture. every 10kgs +/- add/remove 1 knot... Should give you a fair idea of what to expect... and not build hyped expectations.

I'd say 2 knots/10 kg's. I also normally work on about 2m of sail cloth per 10kg's. I.e. a 70kg rider should get going on a 10m in the same conditions as a 80kg rider with a 12m

dafrog

321 posts

dafrog

321 posts

16 Sep 2012 12:28pm

Saffer said...

I'd say 2 knots/10 kg's. I also normally work on about 2m of sail cloth per 10kg's. I.e. a 70kg rider should get going on a 10m in the same conditions as a 80kg rider with a 12m

defo, depends on kiter skills and type of kite... but yeah conservative approach to read those charts works better...

juicerider

790 posts

juicerider

WA, 790 posts

16 Sep 2012 1:46pm

Hi Dolph.
Best policy is to only regard the manufacturers wind range charts as part of the manufacturers marketing.
Get out and demo as many kites as you can and ask people at your local beach what size kite they are using. Most good kite shops will have a range of demo kites.

Plummet

4862 posts

Plummet

4862 posts

16 Sep 2012 4:24pm

i just compared my actual experience against the ozone chart.

~~http://downloads.flyozone.com/kitesurf/downloads/2010/windchart_water.pdf~~

green = pointless,
blue = underpowered
yellow = getting interesting
orange/red = the fun zone.

i can go past the red zone one level on all my kites.

So. somewhat accurate if you disregard green.

ps i'm 82kg and i've just had pie for dinner

cauncy

8407 posts

cauncy

WA, 8407 posts

16 Sep 2012 4:45pm

Plummet said...

i just compared my actual experience against the ozone chart.

~~http://downloads.flyozone.com/kitesurf/downloads/2010/windchart_water.pdf~~

green = pointless,
blue = underpowered
yellow = getting interesting
orange/red = the fun zone.

i can go past the red zone one level on all my kites.

So. somewhat accurate if you disregard green.

ps i'm 82kg and i've just had pie for dinner

I reckon ozone are a bit off the Mark at both the lower and higher end of their kites I won't think about getting the catalyst 8 out of the bag until 30 knts and upwards

Plummet

4862 posts

Plummet

4862 posts

16 Sep 2012 7:04pm

my 8m cat is my 25-35 knot kite. but your right. 30 knots is the big grin zone for that kite

dafrog

321 posts

dafrog

321 posts

17 Sep 2012 1:16am

love my 6M cat 2010 from 25 knots... and i'm 95 kgs...

wishy

1501 posts

wishy

WA, 1501 posts

17 Sep 2012 1:58pm

I'm with you plummet, if the control bar isn't bending, you're bloody pretending!

wishy

1501 posts

wishy

WA, 1501 posts

17 Sep 2012 2:00pm

BOOOOOOOOOOOOST!

jev7337

QLD

460 posts

jev7337

QLD, 460 posts

17 Sep 2012 4:15pm

Plummet said...

i just compared my actual experience against the ozone chart.

~~http://downloads.flyozone.com/kitesurf/downloads/2010/windchart_water.pdf~~

Love those charts and the BS that goes with it.
So that means a beginner can buy a 11m C4 and expect to get going in 7-11knots, or if I'm an advanced rider I'll be lit on a 11m in 11-15knots. WTF??

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