NSW
45 posts
OK, so before you all roll your eyes and think here we go again, I've attempted to do a fair bit of asking around and research before throwing my question out to all you lovely boys and girls. So my situation is as follows...
Been kiting for about 5 years now predominately on a 12m Naish Boxer. Not the most fantastic kite I know, but, it has taken me through from absolute beginner stage to the point where I'm just getting comfortable and confident to get some decent air time. I'm lucky to get out once or twice every couple of weeks, so my goal is to keep on enjoying what I'm doing without getting too advanced where I'll need to go unhooked or get too crazy. Although I am sentimentally attached to the Boxer, it's starting to show signs of its age with the valves beginning to leak, and rather than continue to get them repaired I figured its time to move on. Therefore, the 3 options that I am considering are:
1) Naish Park
2) Ozone Catalyst
3) Cabrinha Switchblade
(all 12m kites)
I'm hopefully going to get a chance to demo the Park and the Catalyst over the next week, but at this stage, after many a conversation, I'm leaning towards the Park. I'm after the tried and tested advice from those greater than I to make a decision. Other potentially relevant information includes:
Weight: 85kg
Board: Naish Haze 138 TT
Kiting preference: Flat water, but I've just starting to grow a pair big enough to get in some small surf
$$$$: Prepared to pay what a kite is worth, but given my experience and frequency, will probably lean towards a second hand or ex demo that will last a good couple of years.
Thanks in advance for any feedback...
DC
635 posts
Depends if you are happy with your Naish bar and under the bar trim strap. Both the Cab and Ozone bars are above the bar. Personal preference thing but its worth bearing in mind.
Also it might be worth looking at the Naish Pivot. It seems to be a really popular kite and is more focused towards freeride and hooked in riding than the Park.
Personally I'd be looking at the Pivot over the Park as I'm too feeble to be able to do anything more than basic unhooked so the extra pop is less useful compared to the extra wind range (Pivot flys well with max trim strap - Park less so). I'd also go Naish over the Catalyst as I think the Pivot turns a bit quicker which is more my think and I'd go Pivot over Switchblade because I don't really like the bar (too heavy, too many metal hurty bits) and I prefer single line release to dual front line safety so although I could buy a new Cab kite which meets this I couldn't then buy a second hand one and use the same bar.
All are good kites though.
Just my 2 cents.
WA
396 posts
Have tried Catalyst and own Swichblade. Prefer Cabrinha bar over many myself - there is a small metal buckle on the depower strap and couple lightweight springs, cant see these being 'hurty' bits. There is no exposed safety line below the bar (you will not rub your skin off even if you kite 3 hrs at a time), depower strap works well, imo Cabrinha is one of the best bars.
Swichblade however is not the fastest turning kite , catalyst would turn faster. As people skill level goes up, fast turning is generally desired (unless you plan to get into high speed wakeboarding type tricks eventually).
NSW
45 posts
Thanks for the tips guys
I managed to get out on a 12m Park last week and found it to be a bit "grunty" when attempting to get some air. Obviously there was a big difference in handling, safety release, ease of set up etc. from my current dinosaur, so now I'm trying to figure out if the "gruntyness" that I experienced was more to do with my technique, rather than comparing to the verbal reviews of other kites which suggest more "lofty" hang time - a characteristic that I am looking for in my next kite.
Had the option of trying out a 10m catalyst but figured that this would defeat the purpose, given it probably won't give a true comparison to what a bigger 12m will do in the wind range that I tend to go out in.
So failing being able to try a 12m catalyst somehow, I'm open to any other suggestions that will give me a "user friendly / lofty hang time" style kite.
Any suggestions would help.
DC
WA
175 posts
I love the Park.
Love it!!!
VIC
228 posts
Pretty hard to get a more user friendly lofty floaty jumping kite then the Naish Pivot. Test ride one.
WA
231 posts
Good work planning the upgrade Deecee! I totally understand what you're saying about being sentimental about your boxer. I was the same with my crappy first kite and after moving on I realised that it happens with every kite. For a relatively small amount of money and maintenance they give us so many good times and only talk back and hurt you when you deserve it!
I've tried the three kites you've mentioned and since 2012 they have all been terrific beginner/intermediate options. Personally I'd prefer the Catalyst, as it's just a great all rounder. Perfectly fine for boosting in the flats and also surfing waves on a downwinder. It's nice and light, stable and has a well proven, simple bar. There are lots of 2014 demo's available at the moment which would definitely give you value for money. Unless buying 2015 models, I dislike the park and switchblade bars as they're very primative and frustrating compared to the cat.
VIC
710 posts
I recommend you also test ride an Airush Lithium 12m.
NSW
45 posts
Thanks again for the tips guys. The more I look and read around, the more inclined I am to be leaning towards the Ozone. Just have to find myself a job that I can leave when those pretty little green arrows turn up, so I can get out and demo some of these options.
Airush Lithium.... Haven't looked into it as an option, but will do now. Stay tuned for more.
NSW
865 posts
come on man. buy one.
soon winter will be here and you will need a 9m and 17m to accompany the 12m
:)
kitch
NSW
865 posts
Better yet get her to make some boxers...haha.
I had an old Boxer. It was a c kite with no bridals.
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