Hi

I am around 76-78Kg.
Currently have 10.5 and 8m kites.

The charts I read suggest that a 10m kite should get a person of my weight up and running in 15-16 knots (jimbodouglass.blogspot.com/2011/01/interactive-kiteboarding-calculator.html). My experience has been different.

Obviously all kites are going to differ, but what low-end range should a modern (2014-2016) 10m kite have?

I'd like to get a greater wind range so that I can stop watching from the beach on lighter wind days. Ideally i'd be out kiting on 15 knots.

Any advice on kites with good low-end would be very appreciated.

I think both the Slingshot Rally and North Rebel may work? Or rather than replacing my 10.5, should I just get a 12 m kite?

Cheers
J

Thanks Christian, I was using a 140x45 light wind board, on flat Melville water, in wind that was averaging 15 knots.

Pretty sure my 10.5 is just a heavy old kite, wasn't going anywhere fast. I'd say my kite and board skills are somewhere between beginner and intermediate. I am happily keeping upwind on the 8m on a twin tip in 25+ knots, on choppy Pinaroo water. Unfortunately that wind doesn't happen every Saturday/Sunday.

Torn between replacing the 10.5 or getting a bigger kite. Maybe get a directional board instead?

Guess you probably think the gap between the 8m and a new 11m is too much?

Great answer from cbulota/Christian. Spot on.

As for what you can do to get off the beach and enjoy those light-wind days a bit more, simply either you'd have to get a bigger board or a bigger kite.
Given that you have two kites already and that a board is (often) considerably cheaper than a kite, I would go for a different board.
A bigger TT would give you a bit more float, but if you really wanna get out there and go upwind with ease you're looking at getting a surf style board. There are of course heaps of different models out there, everything from a regular surfboard (they break quite easily though) or a kite surfboard, to a specific light-wind board. The Shinnster stands out a bit from the rest I'd say and will get you going quite early. It doesnt look like much to be honest but it performs really well in light-wind and gives a really unique feel (it can be ridden backwards, you can do all kinds of skate-style tricks like shuvits and things, its pretty crazy). Another way is to go for air style (freestyle with a surfboard), there are a few cross-over boards which also works for light wind, like the Axis NewWave, which can be used just to go back n forth on a light day and be thrown up in the air and spun around like in the movies when the wind picks up =)

All above assumes that you want leave the TT world behind on a light-wind day. If you however want to keep going for TT then I'd say keep your quiver and get a 15-17m. You wouldn't feel much difference between your 10.5 and an 11m or even 12m (which would also increase the gap to your 8m in your quiver). Those light-wind kites are not only bigger but also specifically designed to be lighter (smaller LE, lighter materials, fewer struts etc) and to give more power with less wind. So there's more to it than just size and shape.