Hi

I was just wondering whether certain kite makes had more power than others.

I just emailed a shop to ask about gear and they told me to get a 10m (I'm 90kg and live in Perth - normally around 15-25 knots). Somewhere else is trying to sell me a 9m which they say will be fine.

Any advice on trying to choose?

I'm 86kg and use an 11m for a one kite quiver, I'm still learning and I find I feel well overpowered in anything above 25 knots. Been able to get going in about 18 knots give or take. I think a 14 would be way too big but a 10 would be a good size I think.

There can be quite a difference between kites regarding power. For instance, my 10m naish park has less grunt than my 10m Bandit 3. That said, at 90kg a 9m would be a struggle in anything less than 20 knts.

I'm also based in Perth. I weigh 92KG and my 9m rebel gets me going in pretty much 18kn up to 26kn
I take my 12m out at 14 to 19kn and my 7m for anything above 25kn.

My 9m is deff my most used kite. A 10m would probably also be fine but I like the speed of the 9m.

Rebel is a very powerful kite though!

However if you are planning on mainly going out at for instance Melville, the wind wont be as strong so I'd go a 10m. But if you are planning on going to places like safety bay or woodmans point I'd go a 9m but keep in mind that some kites will have more power than others regardless of size.

I'm a kook with an awesome mate who gave me a 12m Switchblade, and 'cause I'm a surfer to kitesurfer immigrant I understand the need for a quiver and immediately went out and bought an 8m .. Switchblade.

The 12 goes great in 10-20 .. anything above I put up the 8.

However, as I'm progressing in skill I'm finding the Cabrinha to be quite passive, almost sedate, slow to respond and temperamental about where it wants to be relative to the power window ............ is this a characteristic of the switchblade? Cabrinha kites? am I a kook who needs to relax a bit?

The better you get the more wind range you will get from your kite. At 90kg and good edging skills you will be still riding a 12m at 28kn. I had my 17m out in 22kn last week without too much trouble.
Same goes for the bottom end too. Better technique and you will be riding in lighter wind.
I would say if on a tt, go for a 12m in 18-25kn
Kitch

This will confuse you even more, I'm 105kg, mostly rode a 15m rev, winds have been really good here this season so I have been on my 11.5m 2012 Argo 95% of the time, I was amazed when I was out in light winds last Friday, 15 to 17 knots for the first 40 minutes or so then picked up. I have been out in 35 knots on the 11.5 Argo. (Yes in depower settings)

Now as to different brands/makes/modles. I back to back rode my argo and my mates brand new 12m 2013 Argo and he took the 11.5 out, we both said the 11.5 had more power but the 12 was smoother and lighter bar pressure.

Go figure

IMO, the argo is a great kite, the 2013 is better build/finish than 2012