Go a 7m kite.
You will have awesome wind range.

if you ride in only above 13-14 knots sell the big board and buy a smaller one (132-140cm) and also get a smaller kite 7-8m

Go the smaller board mate, long term its a better investment.

Keep you big board for light wind days.

Cheers

J

My slender 95 kgs can use a NEW OS 14m to 25 knots and NEW OS 7m down to 20knots on a 143x40 Cardboard.

Just depends what style of riding you want to do.

Get yourself a smaller kite first. Big kites suck.
Something around 8m ish.
I wish it was always 7m weather.

Another option is shorter lines with your current kite and board .try doubling your current lines and see what you think

Hello dogbones,
In Tassie you will want a smaller kite. No question about it really. If you're going to keep kiting for the next 3 months you'll spew if you don't have one. Given the inconsistency of the wind being that it can average 18-20 then gusts will be 34 or so, a smaller board wont help you as much as a stable smaller kite will, like a 9 or 8m.

The 9m and below are just so much more fun anyway. With a smaller kite you'll be on top of it and in control, with a smaller board and bigger kite you'll be survival kiting too often. My 2 cents, but aim to get both if you can.

Hi Dogbones,

No doubt about it mate, in Tassie you are going to need a smaller kite. A smaller board is nice and will give you more control over speed, but when you are overpowered, you are overpowered and thats all there is to it.

The only time a smaller board will help significantly when majorly overpowered is if you ride in buttery smooth water and can hold a good edge at speed. This also only works if your kite behaves itself when overpowered. Some kites behave very badly when overpowered.

A more experienced rider can get control over an overpowered big kite in stronger winds more easily than a beginner. It's not just riding with an overpowered kite, it's dealing with it on launch and land and in crashes etc.

Find yourself a nice 7m to complement your 12. We have a bunch of smaller winter type kites at clearance prices, have a look see if there is something you might like. A smaller kite is more fun, quicker, lighter, and will boost you much higher than a big kite.

A smaller board will help too, and can be an addition when you are more financial. Also, what Lach says is quite true, a shorter line set of say around 20m, will have the same effect as dropping the power of your kite to that of around a 10m.

Go the smaller kite and have fun.

Good winds,

YoMoFo said...

ewan kite said...

if you ride in only above 13-14 knots sell the big board and buy a smaller one (132-140cm) and also get a smaller kite 7-8m

I think its funny that some1 who has kited for a bit over 6months, is as heavy as a wet monkey and prob gets his gear bought 4 him has an opinion, but hey thats why I like free speech. IMO go the smaller kite if u ride freestyle. I think its easier to get used to 2 different kites rather than 2 different boards.

actually i save up to buy my own gear, i am sponsored and have kited more than 6 months almost a year now. and i can unhook and do kiteloops so dont just judge me as 'wet monkey' who cant have an opinion that might be even be OK

YoMoFo said...

ewan kite said...

if you ride in only above 13-14 knots sell the big board and buy a smaller one (132-140cm) and also get a smaller kite 7-8m

I think its funny that some1 who has kited for a bit over 6months, is as heavy as a wet monkey and prob gets his gear bought 4 him has an opinion, but hey thats why I like free speech. IMO go the smaller kite if u ride freestyle. I think its easier to get used to 2 different kites rather than 2 different boards.

Why do you think it is funny that he has an opinion?
Is he not allowed to have an opinion because of his weight, age, or how he get his gear ?

Ewan has no idea who I am and I dont know him at all but I have seen him ride and he knows what he is doing. He is entitled to his opinion !

fair enough, that makes it clearer

I'm surprised you are riding a 12 in Perth. Most people seemed to have a 10 - 10.5 when I was there over Xmas. At Woodies later in the arvo people would start to bring out 7m as the Seabreeze cranked up.