Lightwind Kite

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brezzo
brezzo
NSW
10 posts
NSW, 10 posts
3 Oct 2012 1:38am
I am looking for a lightwind kite to use on my airush sector v2. I dont have a whole heap to spend with a budget of $500-$600.

I have found an 08 north rebel 16m I am interested in. My question is how does the performance of these older bigger kites compare to modern kites?

ie will an 08 16m get me out in less breeze than a 13m 2013 kite?

how much difference could I expect in bottom end between a 08 north rebel 14 and 16. I assume the 14 is quicker so it could generate more apparent than the 16 but then the 16 is bigger.

What do you think i should be looking for in a lightwind kite in that pricerange, as big as possible or as new as possible? dont worry i dont buy kites pre 2008.

Cheers Brezzo
dusta
dusta
WA
2940 posts
WA, 2940 posts
3 Oct 2012 12:22am
well brezzo you're pretty scarce on details . are you fat . how many years kiting. where do you kite . what is your favourite drink .


once we know these questions we can give you a better answer
brezzo
brezzo
NSW
10 posts
NSW, 10 posts
3 Oct 2012 2:26am
83kgs 178cm 2 years kiting, based in sydney
cauncy
cauncy
WA
8407 posts
WA, 8407 posts
3 Oct 2012 7:50am
Yo, do your research a big kite strange as it seems is not a lightwind kite they are just a bigger version , a true lightwind kite is completely different, ozone zephyr, blade fat lady, north dyno,etc, sure a bigger kite will give you more time on the water, but not as much as one of the above, it'll b difficult to find a light kite for your budget but shouldn't be a problem for a big kite, good luck
AirSic
AirSic
WA
40 posts
WA, 40 posts
3 Oct 2012 8:04am
Epic infinity
Puetz
Puetz
NT
2186 posts
NT, 2186 posts
3 Oct 2012 9:50am
cauncy said...
Yo, do your research a big kite strange as it seems is not a lightwind kite they are just a bigger version , a true lightwind kite is completely different, ozone zephyr, blade fat lady, north dyno,etc, sure a bigger kite will give you more time on the water, but not as much as one of the above, it'll b difficult to find a light kite for your budget but shouldn't be a problem for a big kite, good luck


... very true!

I've used and owned some of the older big kites in the list and they are indeed a bigger persons kite and not very efficient. They and not so good in light winds, not like the current kites but having said that, the Sector has a way of getting much more out of the older big kites.

What I found is, the Sector 'slips' through the water better than the boards being used back then when kites were being designed and makes the older kites very useable. Sort of makes up for some of the inefficiency.

A little while ago I had to bring out my old spare 16m Rebel while my current kite was being repaired. Jumped on the Sector and was suprized at the old girls performance. Then in my excitement, jumped on my TT and realized how much better my current kite was!! Back to the Sector and it was ok and had fun.

So, if your going to use the Sector, an older kite isn't such a compromise as you would think. The Sector is easy upwind, handles all sorts of water conditions, stable on all angles to the wind so therefore 'soaks' up the mis-givings of the older big kites.

Mind you, when you have the money, get something new and you'll be really happy.

Goodluck,

Robbie
Gorgo
Gorgo
VIC
5124 posts
VIC, 5124 posts
3 Oct 2012 11:57am
You don't say what your current biggest kite is. I have a 13m Crossbow and that is more than big enough for my 80kg and Sector 60.

Light wind riding is more about technique and the board than pure kite size and power. Bigger kites are more about more power for big riders in moderate winds than allowing lighter riders to ride in less wind.
JAKE123
JAKE123
QLD
314 posts
QLD, 314 posts
3 Oct 2012 5:18pm
Goodtime In Brisbane have a couple of 17 m 07 contra bows going cheap!

cauncy
cauncy
WA
8407 posts
WA, 8407 posts
3 Oct 2012 9:59pm
AirSic said...
Epic infinity


this months kiteworld trial of this kite sounded pretty impressive, look it up at kiteworld/ gear reviews
KiteBud
KiteBud
WA
1615 posts
WA, 1615 posts
3 Oct 2012 10:39pm
I wouldn't expect much more power from a 2008 North rebel 16m compared to a powerful 2013, 13m kite. The size to power ratio is not as linear as most people think once you get above about 12m kites. With a powerful 10m current year kite I'm able to kite (82kg) on my sector 60 v.2 in as little as 10-12 knots. Sure I'm moving the kite like a maniac and downlooping a lot, but it can be done. Whatever minimum wind your current kite is allowing you to kite in on your twin tip, you should be able to use your sector in as little as 4-5 knots below that. If not, then it's more about building up your skills than changing kite size. Make sure you can jibe the sector comfortably in lighter winds as well. With great skills on the sector at your body weight you should be able to kite in as little as 10 knots with a powerful 13m current year kite. A current year 17m light wind kite might get you out on your sector in as little as 7 knots with line extensions, but then you have to make sure your kite doesn't touch the water...
So the bottom line is I would recommend you focus on improving your light wind skills with your current gear with the goal of getting out in less and less wind, then maybe consider getting a larger kite.
SaveTheWhales
SaveTheWhales
WA
1913 posts
WA, 1913 posts
4 Oct 2012 12:09am
cauncy said...
AirSic said...
Epic infinity


this months kiteworld trial of this kite sounded pretty impressive, look it up at kiteworld/ gear reviews


I have the 2011 model which is actually a 15m and can vouch for its allrounder performance and ...... RELAUNCH.. dont forget
stjepan
stjepan
NSW
124 posts
NSW, 124 posts
4 Oct 2012 3:47am
brezzo said...
ie will an 08 16m get me out in less breeze than a 13m 2013 kite?
yes, i compared a 05 15m and 12 13m and the 15 wins..........



NSW, 4382 posts
4 Oct 2012 9:01am
If it helps I've got a fairly crisp 17M Slingshot Turbo diesel2 for $300 complete. Might be able to get my hands on a series 1 Ozone Zephyr for $800
Gorgo
Gorgo
VIC
5124 posts
VIC, 5124 posts
4 Oct 2012 11:42am
SaveTheWhales said...
...

I have the 2011 model which is actually a 15m and can vouch for its allrounder performance and ...... RELAUNCH.. dont forget


Relaunch is sort of a non-issue. If you are truly riding in light winds then the absolute number one requirement is to never crash your kite. Nothing will relaunch when the wind as at the lower limit of riding.

If you do crash your kite the best you can hope for is to have a nice relaxing float and wait until a gust comes along. It's actually quite pleasant, especially if you have a buoyancy vest.

Alternatively, self rescue with a raceboard is loads of fun. You lie in your kite and use the board and fins as dagger board. You can sail quite close to the the wind at about the same speed and angle as one of those tiny sailing dinghies.

BTW In my experience the bottom end of the North Rebel is not so good. That is supported by reviews I have read. On numerous occasions I have been out riding and going upwind when guys with Rebels of similar size could not get off the beach.
KiteBilly
KiteBilly
VIC
90 posts
VIC, 90 posts
4 Oct 2012 6:05pm
Try Kiteline.com they are in the U.S. and can have some good deals on superseaded kite gear. You dont pay the sales tax on the products but you do pay the freight.

SaveTheWhales
SaveTheWhales
WA
1913 posts
WA, 1913 posts
4 Oct 2012 4:18pm
Gorgo said...
SaveTheWhales said...
...

I have the 2011 model which is actually a 15m and can vouch for its allrounder performance and ...... RELAUNCH.. dont forget


Relaunch is sort of a non-issue. If you are truly riding in light winds then the absolute number one requirement is to never crash your kite. Nothing will relaunch when the wind as at the lower limit of riding.



Fair enough Coment - but Please - dont believe me at all even though my one relaunches in 6 knots according to the hand held windmeter :)

Just look up the video launching at 4.5 knots and read the reviews Kiteworld/SBC

That gives me the confidence to trick & crash and make mistakes on my twin tip then relaunch again.
Before I bought it, Id say Fk off to light wind relaunches

Why would you want to Self Rescue if you could relaunch that low ??
Unless you dont know any better

Kites are Evolving but perhaps not the Kiters
pro merc
pro merc
NSW
300 posts
NSW, 300 posts
5 Oct 2012 10:44am
KiteBilly said...
Try Kiteline.com they are in the U.S. and can have some good deals on superseaded kite gear. You dont pay the sales tax on the products but you do pay the freight.




support the local stores, oversea's suppliers wont give you the service or the backup if your equipment fails or you need a warranty claim. most people who sell kites will bend over backwards to help a customer.
you can get good deals on previous seasons models right here in Australia.
EnglishCraig
EnglishCraig
NSW
406 posts
NSW, 406 posts
5 Oct 2012 5:02pm
Just bought a 2012 Zephyr - will post a propper review when I get a chance to use it!
cauncy
cauncy
WA
8407 posts
WA, 8407 posts
5 Oct 2012 10:45pm
pro merc said...
KiteBilly said...
Try Kiteline.com they are in the U.S. and can have some good deals on superseaded kite gear. You dont pay the sales tax on the products but you do pay the freight.




support the local stores, oversea's suppliers wont give you the service or the backup if your equipment fails or you need a warranty claim. most people who sell kites will bend over backwards to help a customer.
you can get good deals on previous seasons models right here in Australia.


ive had some pretty shocking customer care from shops here and only had possitive response from os, me and a mate were talking about a shop in perth today ,his dealing not mine, all good when you wanna spend big money which he has but trying to get small things a f*****g joke they didnt give a s**t, this wasnt a warranty claim he wanted to buy something but the problem seems to be it wasnt a purchase in the thousands , heres customer care for you ive txt and emailed 2 shops one here and one interstate for a board which apparently they promote and stock ive not had a reply after 3 weeks,doesnt fill me with confidence if i had any issues with purchased equip, moral is if youve got a good shop with helpfull staff support them if y dont , then dont bother
theganjie
theganjie
9 posts
9 posts
5 Oct 2012 11:11pm
dusta said...
are you fat .


hahahahaha
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