WA
43 posts
So I've taken the plunge and dug my old (very old) gear out of the box after 8 years in storage! Decided to give it another go. I started back in 99 in the UK on 2 line wippika classics and moved to freeairs, black tips etc. riding a 6'6" directional.(still in the garage)
So I bought be self my first twin tip an Airush switch 2011 144x44. I'm a big lad around 115kg.
Flying my airush flow 12m and my airush lift 15m both 2006 models ( I know with limited to no safety features ) but I can't afford new kites at the moment.
My question is this.
I have put on weight in the past 8 years, previously under 100, but are my C kites really seem underpowered compared to modern bow kites. My 12m in 22knotts was not enough for me yet others (yes lighter than me by about 15kg were cruising around in 10m bow kites.
Is this correct or are my kites in desperate need of tuning and/or replacement. It's hard to part with them as they only have had 20-30 sessions each back in the UK and are in really good condition.
SA
725 posts
If you are up around that weight you'll want a 17m+ at the very least and a bigger
directional style board to get up and going. That's for a 15-24knot range.
VIC
164 posts
g'day Andyroo
Im exactly the same weight
your board should be fine I ride a 142 x 42
I am riding a 14 meter switchblade which is great
I do end up underpowered sometimes while other are still going though
then it's time for the 17 which I can hold down in upto 20 knots if I need to
be prepared for the funny looks ,comments and questions
when launching bigger kite than everyone else
I had a guy at least a foot shorter than me have a crack at me for launching a 14 today
he was on a 12 and would have been 30 - 40 kgs lighter than me
insisting that I would be way over powered
turns out I was slightly underpowered
WA
43 posts
Hi iggypop.
Thanks for your reply.
So so what are the wind ranges of each kite for our body weight.
my old 12 and 15 are C kites but looking to buy a new bow kite sometime before next spring.
what beach do you ride? I'm using Quinns and Mullaloo.
WA
1019 posts
2 of the guys who kite Quinn's regularly are about 110/115kg and and are fine on 11's in normal conditions. I know one of them is on a 132 or 134 so a pretty small board.
I'd buy a grunty second hand 11m. A decent kite and bar 2 or 3 years old is worth $500 tops. There's heaps of 11's for $500-$800 for sale. The used kite market is ****. I sold my 12 kite only for $100 and a 17m for $500. Find someone motivated for a sale cause there isn't too many buyers.
