The time is nigh. I am after a new kite.
I am currently using a 12m 2008 Naish Cult as the kite I use 95% of the time. I have found this a very enjoyable kite to learn and progress on. I consider myself an all-round kiter who is happy boosting, hooked-in rotations (unhooked to come soon) and in the waves.

- At 105kg I don't have fun on the Cult unless it is over 20knots, I want to be powered in ~17knots
- Even when it is over 20knots I am looking for more bottom end power.
- I am beginning to find the turning a touch slow (I am on 25m lines, I prefer the longer power stroke).

I am open to all styles of kite, I guess basically I am looking the following:

- for a 13-14m kite with good bottom end, or a 12m with amazing bottom end. I don't want to go too big as I plan on keeping a 2 kite quiver with my 9m.
- one that is fast turning (for a 13m), i.e that turns faster than my cult on 25m lines.
- One that has decent depower, and will drift nicely when I am on my surfboard.

What I am after is a list of 2009/10 kites that fit the above description so I can begin to demo them.

Cheers

Try the 2010 Rebel 12m, as a slim 96kg and 195cm dude, this kite amazing up wind and all ya need in ****ty low wind dayz, I'm out with dudes on 14m & 16m kites and twin tips .... I use a 9m Rebel on 15k to 20 k days on a surfboard.

We've been putting anyone over the 100kg mark on the Ozone Zephyr 17m...

These turn super quick for a 17, will have you well powered up by 17 knots and keep you going untill 25-26 (QLD wind) when you could be jumping down to something smaller... Drifts well in the waves, and is super stable due to it's massive size...

Try any of the delta shaped kites - Core GT, Best Kahoona V2, F-one Bandit 3, etc as these offer much more power for their size when compared to a hybrid/bow...

The Cabrinha Xbow IDSX 13m is a weapon in light wind - but more of a cruiser/racer than a freestyle/wave kite...

I've also seen the North Rhino's working really well for heavier riders...

12m Jekyll

Here's my thoughts on what you have listed so far.

12m Gaastra Jekyll (year?) 2010 and will be similar to what you have,
12m Naish Helix 2010 only and will have a bit less bottom end
17m Ozone Zephyr - Ideal kite for the winds you have described you want this new kite for

Core GT (size?) 15M
F-One Bandit 3 (size?) 14M
Best Kahoona V2 (Size?) 13.5M
North Rhino (size?) 2009 14M

2010 Cabrinha Switchblade 14m or Crossbow 16M
2010 North Rebel 12m. also not big enough, you are just replacing the 12M Cult

vipar said...
I am leaning towards the Deltas, can someone describe their flight characteristics, i.e speed through the air, turning speed, bar pressure.

I also notice quite a few 12's being mentioned. Are the current breed of 12m that much more powerful than my cult? What about the bigger sizes being faster turning?

I should mention that I had a 14m Cabrinha Contra (2007) and while I loved the power it was a pig. So i sold it.

Delta's generally have medium bar pressure, good turn rate, but the larger ones are slow, like all larger kites. They still turn good though, and are excellent compared to kites only a few years old in the same sizes.
The 12M kites being mentioned will not get you going in the winds you have described and will just replace and completely overlap your current kite.
The Contra was a low wind kite, and worked well for that, but it was slow with high bar pressure and some people just hated it, it just killed your arms if you flew it for a while (it did mine).

There is going to be another kite to consider too, the new Ozone Catalyst 14M, which should become available from Ozone dealers within the the next 7-10 working days. Also a 15M C4 would be something to consider it has the same power as most 14M kites and turns better.
I think either the Zephyr or the Catalyst will be the best option for you, second would be the 14M Fone/SB or 16CB/Kahoona 13.5

Don't forget that the board is a key part of the equation . My lightwind board is basically a flat skimboard type surfboard with thruster fins .my biggest kite is a 13.5 and i also add extensions so my lines are 28 m .I weigh more than you and i am not ever sitting on the beach looking at the flyweights around here having fun in the light stuff .i am often the first and last out there in that stuff.

Mr float said...



.i am often the first and last out there in that stuff.

I have 15 rev and 140 x 42 board, about same weight as float, he can ride in lighter than most.
The locals round here know that if float is out there maybe just enough wind for the rest of us to head out.

I have tryed the Lue Wainman Rabit series kites and think they would fit the bill for what you are looking for. Not realy my cup of tea but for a good grunty delta kite that is designed for surf so it turns quick, has mutiple atachment points that afect where th kite sits in the window therefore afecting how much grunt it has which can be handy for a bigger rider. The kite has a real c kite feel anout it which i liked and it was very grunty for its size.

The 14 SB would allso be a good choice but like people have said probaly not the best choice for surf but can definatly handle it in the right hands and is more than capable of pulling your weight, only downside it the relaunch is not as fast as a delta espesialy in the lighter conditions.

The bandit Dos 14 or the bandit 3 13m are both good smooth allaround kites for larger riders and will both have you up riding in 15kts sooner if you are on your surfboard. Steer clear of the bandit dos 12m as they realy have a tendancy to stall easily with bigger riders and dont like being ridden towards the kite.

I am 110kgs and have had lots of good sessions on my airush lithium LW 13m. on a race board i get going around the 10 knot mark, 12 knots and i am blasting, 15 knots and i can to switch to a twin tip. I struggle to hold my edge down once the wind gets closer to 20 knots.

Of all the kites mentioned above, i have had a go on a 12m core GT, the lithium is considerably more powerful than that, has a touch more bar pressure and is slower to turn.

The lithiums are very powerful and worth a try. The smaller sizes have very quick pivotal turning. I also have the 8 and 6m kites. I use the 8m with a 144TT from 18 knots and the 6m in 25+