I got my demo 13M Venom2 today, so I took it straight out for a spin. Hot damn....what an awesome bit of gear

I was out in winds that I would normally have been riding my 8M Best Nemesis in (gusting to 23kts according to the BOM readings), but was still able to hang onto the 13 no problems.

It's an absolute *machine* for boosting....I did some of the highest jumps I've ever done today, complete with nice floaty landings too. Lovely

It's a bit hard to get used to the fact that the kite wants to rise up the window all the time. I've got all the skin missing off the sides of my hands from pushing on the bar all the time to keep the kite down low, but I eventually got used to it. It's certainly nice to have the kite just sit at the zenith though while you mess around with your board/harness/whatever.

The only drawback......I couldn't relaunch it off the water. The one and only time I managed to get it in the drink (totally my fault....basically steered it into the water on a downloop by mistake), I just couldn't manage to get it into a position where it wanted to take off again. Eventually it 'bow-tied' (twisted in the middle), so I tossed it to the safety and swam it in. Obviously there's a technique to this that I need to master

I'm sold though. It felt much nicer and turned faster than my 2004 LEI kites (with the exception of my 8M, but it's on a bigger bar than recommended). It soaked up the gusts and felt much more stable in the air. If you've never had a ride on one, I highly recommend you give it a go!!

You were lucky to get that sort of wind today. Not much down here at Miami. Yeah I like my V2 16M . I hate bowties but I love the way the kite flies and in light winds too. The auto zenith is very helpful.

good kites if they dont fall apart ( v2 i3m )

I can vouch for Lachy's comments re the warranty. We only ever hear the word 'Yes' when we call PL with an issue. Usually its only a small issue but replacements/repairs are always dealt with inside a week.
I wish everyone was this cooperative.

Dave

I loved my PL's too. Excellent for learning, and hardly ever had to relaunch cause they just dont hit the water unless you fly them there.
The only thing I disliked about them was the launching.
I always felt nervous before walking back and getting the kite in the air, as you get dragged under it.
LEI's are so much easier.

Mr Float,

your suggested launch method is how I've been launching for a couple of years now, & have never had a problem launching. The thing I love about my PL V13 (mark 1 however) is the ease of launching & landing. Forget the pump thing. Zips are all the go...

They also make for great sleeping bags

mr float, do you mean keeping the bar sheeted in on launching?

I have a v1 10 and 25knt plus launches are indeed abit nerve racking..

caz

I followed Lachy's suggestions for launching it (only sand the one point, keep tension on the rear lines etc) and it was fine. The last couple of times I launched it was after the wind had picked right up, but it was still perfectly manageable. As soon as it took off and started flying properly, I just pushed the bar out and it went to the edge of the window with minimum force and sat there waiting.

I didn't get a chance to get to the beach again today, but I'm itching to get out on this thing again ASAP

I got out for another session on it today. Slightly less wind than the first session (averaging 15kts and topping out at 18 - 20kts), but I was still fine on the 13. I'm curious to find out just how much bottom end it's actually got.

I don't want to give it back now

my v1 19 metre was the best investment i ever made.
i ride in 11 - 30 knots on it. 30 knots is a bit of a buzz.i have a guerilla 1 10metre and peterlynn 1120arc 14metre for sale if anyones interested.