Hi guys

I am planning to buy a bigger kite for low wind days as it is now. I weigh around 65kg and have a 140x42cm board. I would be happy for any recommendations. My summer kite is a 8m Catalyst. Would be good to stick with Ozone so that I may use the same bar and save some coins on the bigger kite. I considered to buy a 12 to 14m ish kite. I also don't mind if it not 100% perfect since I am bit frustrated that I miss all these low wind opportunities.

Cheers

Tobias

Hi Tobias,
The kite size really depends on the average wind speed you intend to ride in.
Check on the BOM website (Bureau of meteorology) to find the average wind where you ride over the past few seasons.

Most of the big name kite manfactures have good guides on what size kite suits what wind conditions.

Alternatively go check with your local kiting shop - they should be able to give you average windspeeds, and help you choose a kite design to suit your ability.

in my opinion, you wont be able to use your existing bar (for 8m kite) on a 12 or 14meter...it will be too small.

Regards, Steve

keep you eye on the buy and sell , ill have my 2013 zephyr up for sale, maybe, if I can drag myself away from it, at 65 kgs youll have a ball around 11 or 12 knts

IanCathy said..

NitrousOxide said..

Buy a 12m catalyst...easy. :Unless you want to go true light wind and get a Zephyr which at only 65kg you'll be up and racing from 8 knots on.

The bigger the kite the bigger the bar you need otherwise the will turn so slooooooooooooooooow you won't be able to control them. No way you could use your 8m bar on a Zephyr, not sure what you've got and whether it will work with the 12m catalyst but maybe....

Would there be much benefit in a 14m compared with a 12m catalyst for 65kg?
Can the 2014 Catalyst be used with 2013 bar?
Thinking resale value lkand occasional use investment in light winds... 12m would be better but only if it works for me!
Now discounted a switchblade 12m as too heavy and Vector for poorer upwind performance in low wind...
Decisions, decisions... Some seductive deals out there...

Personally if I were you at 65kg I can only see advantage of going a 14m cat as opposed to the 12m if you plan to put on a lot of weight as you will gain little in wind range between the two of them. I suspect kite power will be able to do a deal on the 2013 catalyst and then you don't have to worry about the bar being forward compatible (which I'm not sure if they are.

I personally have a cabrihna contra 17m which I love. Turns faster than the 12m switchblade, I'm 95kg so for you at your weight you would get a lot of joy from the 15m contra! Just to throw another kite in the mix

Hi guys

Many thanks for your answers! Honestly, I did not except any reply!

Btw I did measure the Cat 8 bar which is from one end to the other exactly 50cm. The biggest bar from Ozone would be a 55cm right? So 2.5cm less on each side wouldn't be too bad. Sure the performance might be slightly different but the difference in leverage would be neglectable ... especially with 25m lines.

The current wind conditions are mostly around 12-15 knots or less on Dolls Point and I can only see 14m and Zephyrs in that wind range. So I am really keen on getting a Zephyr or at least a 14m. However there are not many 14m second hand available. Also, I only weigh about 65kg. I have no idea how much power a 17m would generate. So what should I do?

The best thing is to test a Zephyr. But where and who is willing to borrow me one. Not easy.

Cheers
Tobias

sandyscott said..

My '13 bar works on my '14 Cat, no problems.

Thanks!!!

Unfortunately the '14 12m was sold and I bought a new 12m SB from Canada with bar for AU$1100... But if I can find a good Cat 12m would prefer ;) and sell on the other bargain...

NitrousOxide said..

IanCathy said..

sandyscott said..

My '13 bar works on my '14 Cat, no problems.

Thanks!!!

Unfortunately the '14 12m was sold and I bought a new 12m SB from Canada with bar for AU$1100... But if I can find a good Cat 12m would prefer ;) and sell on the other bargain...

Hey that's a steal! And the 12m switchblade is a solid kite. I demoed the 2014 when I was looking for a new kite and I have never flown such a forgiving and easy to fly kite. Bomb proof construction and loads of grunt. I mainly ride strapless waves but if I was mainly into freestyle I wouldn't have hesitated to go with one! It was just too heavy and slow turning for what I wanted but if you're a relative newbie wanting to progress in some freestyle moves you've got yourself one hell of a good deal and kite!

Thanks matey... Good to be reassured that made a sensible purchase... Could you pls call my wife and say that it was a good buy!! Guess I don't need the Cat 12 now... I do love my catalysts... Nearly as much as the wife!

Kamikuza said..

Why nobody say Chrono?

Did u ever watched a vid where they launched a Chrono .... seems to me a bit complicated. And yes we have to do this in the water. I doubt this will be the perfect beginner low wind option.

IanCathy said...

NitrousOxide said..

IanCathy said..

sandyscott said..

My '13 bar works on my '14 Cat, no problems.

Thanks!!!

Unfortunately the '14 12m was sold and I bought a new 12m SB from Canada with bar for AU$1100... But if I can find a good Cat 12m would prefer ;) and sell on the other bargain...

Hey that's a steal! And the 12m switchblade is a solid kite. I demoed the 2014 when I was looking for a new kite and I have never flown such a forgiving and easy to fly kite. Bomb proof construction and loads of grunt. I mainly ride strapless waves but if I was mainly into freestyle I wouldn't have hesitated to go with one! It was just too heavy and slow turning for what I wanted but if you're a relative newbie wanting to progress in some freestyle moves you've got yourself one hell of a good deal and kite!

Thanks matey... Good to be reassured that made a sensible purchase... Could you pls call my wife and say that it was a good buy!! Guess I don't need the Cat 12 now... I do love my catalysts... Nearly as much as the wife!

Must be a bloody good wife. maybe she bought the cat for you