More kites is always better if you have to cash. You could probably get a good secondhand, 2yr old 12 or 13 for like $600.

How much do you weigh and what size board? The 9 will be your most used kite in WA unless you are a stickman.

It will definately get easier as you get better. I suspect a lot of it is technique, I also assume you are in waves (beach reference), and if so getting out through waves and holding ground is always more difficult than flat water, you do get better at it though.

I have flown the 9m 07 DNA and it is a grunty kite. AT 82kgs your window should start around 16kts, posibly less. There is no doubt that it should be your main kite in WA.

For those lighter wind days I would be more inclined to get a larger board rather than another kite. It gives you more options. A 12m Flow, Varial or similar would definately get you out earlier, but only if you can afford to spend the cash on a kite you will only use a small % of the time.

Thx for the advice guys, appreciated.

Word up greenfinger!!!
Do i need a bigger kite? Yes
Do ineed a smaller kite? Yes
Do I need more/better/newer/older/vintage/different colour/gruntier/with less bar pressure/ with more direct steering/faster/smoother/more forgiving/quicker looping...... The answer is always yes!!!
We should all have enough equipment to be able to open museum/shrines/schools.
And only when we have enough will we be happy!!!!

6, 9, 13 (even 14m) also a go-er for ultimate range.

You have to accept that you will only use the 6m in winter and the few really crankin days in summer.

Also that the 14/13m will not be anywhere near as fun to ride as your 9m but way more fun than chilling your date on the cold sand.

Having said that I ride 7, 9 and 12 but kinda wish I had a 13m or 14m for genuine low wind. My 7 really is more like a 6 and funnily my 9 more like a 10 tho. Have I confused you yet?

Look for bargains in the big n small kites but spend on your middle kite (if it needs replacing down the treack) as that is the one you will be on most of the time.