codebreaker said..
Hello everyone!!I am a beginner (65kg 1.72) and after using few times a FONE Bandit 3 11 (with a Nobile 132 board) I'm deciding to switch to a new Best kite, specially for a range from 8-9 knots.I was comparing the Kahoona 13.5 (11.5 as well) and the TS 12 but I got so many doubts.I was reading about the Kahoonas (old ones) having problems with going upwind and that's actually what I'm practicing.TS instead has a wind range 9-21 with a good top end (as Best reports). Also, TS new school characteristics are better than the Kahoona's, and this is tempting me to choose the TS (due to lots of wakeboard sessions).Anyone has both or tried'em? Any problems or tips?I would appreciate any kind of suggestion!Cheers

Hey mate, yeah when i first learnt to kite board i started with the Best Kahoona and that worked perfect for me. I now ride the TS and the GP for freestyle and a bit of free ride. You will learn quicker with the kahoona because it is a more all round kite and easier handling and the TS gets a little more advanced. I say they are both amazing kites like any of the Best gear. At the end of the day you get used to your gear that you ride and get comfortable and adjust things to your way of kiting. I wouldn't go passed the TS even though it is that little bit harder to ride than the kahoona for the basics because you will get used to it and save your money at the end of the day :)

Cheers

Hi Codebreaker,

Both the Kahoona and TS are wonderful kites, however at those sizes you will not be able to go in 9 knots. You would need either the 15 or 17m lightwind specific TS kites. If relaunch is something you value then the Kahoona will be your friend. Your wind range on the 13.5 Kahoona will be around 12/13 knots up to 18 knots. The 15 TS is one of the best lower wind range kites on the market. Super versatile and very fun!


Cheers

codebreaker said..

KPSS Used said..
Hi Codebreaker,

Both the Kahoona and TS are wonderful kites, however at those sizes you will not be able to go in 9 knots. You would need either the 15 or 17m lightwind specific TS kites. If relaunch is something you value then the Kahoona will be your friend. Your wind range on the 13.5 Kahoona will be around 12/13 knots up to 18 knots. The 15 TS is one of the best lower wind range kites on the market. Super versatile and very fun!


Cheers

Hello KPSS!! Thanks for your suggestions! Wind ranges ,for Best kites, are not really clear in my opinion. With my FOne Bandit 3 11m I am able to go with 12-13 knots and its wind range is 11-24, so I was supposing with a 13.5m kite and my body weight I would be able to go in a range from 9 to 12 kts (and up) with ease.Thanks to your delightful suggestions Im quite convinced going towards the Kahoonas. TS' big sizes are not exciting me but Im considering them as well!Cheers!

Hi Codebreacker,

KPSS is 100% right. I have both Kahoona+ 13.5m and TS 17m. It is not about your weight, it is just about Kahoona's ability to stay up in the sky. It took me hours of trying to fly it and calibrating/re-calibrating my bar to realize that there is nothing wrong with the kite/bar. Kahoona is a perfect kite, but it will just not fly in anything lower 11-13 knots. It will just stall and fall from the sky no matter what you do with it. Having said that, when the wind is right, this kite is amazing to fly and I really enjoy it.

Also, do not be afraid of the TS's big sizes. I have a 17m TS and can say, it is very fast turning and agile kite, which easily flies in as little as 8-9 knots. The only downside of TS is that it is tricky to relaunch in less than 9-10 knots. However, with a little practice this problem has gone away for me.

Hope this helps,

Cheers

codebreaker said..

FlyingHippo said..

Hi Codebreacker,

KPSS is 100% right. I have both Kahoona+ 13.5m and TS 17m. It is not about your weight, it is just about Kahoona's ability to stay up in the sky. It took me hours of trying to fly it and calibrating/re-calibrating my bar to realize that there is nothing wrong with the kite/bar. Kahoona is a perfect kite, but it will just not fly in anything lower 11-13 knots. It will just stall and fall from the sky no matter what you do with it. Having said that, when the wind is right, this kite is amazing to fly and I really enjoy it.

Also, do not be afraid of the TS's big sizes. I have a 17m TS and can say, it is very fast turning and agile kite, which easily flies in as little as 8-9 knots. The only downside of TS is that it is tricky to relaunch in less than 9-10 knots. However, with a little practice this problem has gone away for me.

Hope this helps,

Cheers

Hi FlyingHippo!!! Thank you for sharing your experience!!Everything is pretty clear now!! I thought 13.5 would fly in 9-11 knots according to what they say.
However, I think I am going to consider more the TS big sizes, 15-17 because I need something in the above range.

I got a stupid question: 15 and 17 are ok with a 132 twin tip board? Cheers!! :)

Hi Codebreaker,

I am happy it helped. I do not have any experience with 15m TS, but with my 17m, in the winds above 10 knots, I use my Shinn Turbo 134x42. Anything lighter-Best Breeze 145x44. I am 85 kg. and am still a beginner.

Cheers.

hey codebreaker,
general rule of thumb is, big kite, big board, small kite, small board.
you can totally change this with the small kite big board thing but some LW tt's won't go unless you have a massive kite, ie north spike.
Big kites will go with small boards but they won't keep you upwind easily. for some reason the longer rails or greater planing\surface area of the big tt's get you upwind heaps easier under big kites.

codebreaker said..
Hey BraydenBunter! Thank you indeed for your suggestions!I am considering to try the Kahoona 11.5m, because its wind-range is the same as the TS 12m, and it should be fine with 9-10-11 knots according to my weight as well :D.By the way,.do you have any word for their upwind and depower characteristics?Thanks! :)

sorry i didn't get back to you earlier! Upwind is fantastic, and the depower is super easy and plenty there. Kahoona would be great.

I purchased a Best TS and to be honest, I'm stoked with it. My only mention is that the TS LIKES STRONG WIND! Even though the envelope says 14 knots to 25 knots (10m) I find that the low-mid 20's are perfect for it. It does tend to struggle in the lower range but what an awesome kite.

What year model you looking at?