So after 20 years sailboarding it's time to take the plunge. Thinking of buying a 2014 Naish park 10m kite.
Any advice if this would be suitable as I'd expect to progress fairly quickly after sailing for all these years and wake boarding.

The kite is new is selling for $1200. Budget up to $1600 for the kite.

better add.... 90kg sailing at Broulee so mostly flat water with moderate swell and 1 - 1.5m waves.

Any advice most welcome.
Michael.

weebitbreezy said..

Kitesurf harnesses are different from windsurf harnesses. You need to get a kitesurf harness.

Sailezzy, you'll be fine as long as you get some experienced mates tell you about the little tricks you need to keep in mind. Sailboarding knowledge definitely helps.

Harnesses are the same apart from the hook. Hooks for kitesurfing are padded as kite tends to pull the hook up into your chest and pad saves you from some pain.
Been a sailboarder turned kitesurfer and used my sailboarding harness for two seasons without any problems.

surpher said..

weebitbreezy said..

Kitesurf harnesses are different from windsurf harnesses. You need to get a kitesurf harness.

Sailezzy, you'll be fine as long as you get some experienced mates tell you about the little tricks you need to keep in mind. Sailboarding knowledge definitely helps.

Harnesses are the same apart from the hook. Hooks for kitesurfing are padded as kite tends to pull the hook up into your chest and pad saves you from some pain.
Been a sailboarder turned kitesurfer and used my sailboarding harness for two seasons without any problems.

Possibly for the newer harnesses. When I started I used my windsurfing harness ... until the second time the spreader bar released (yeah I'm that bright).

You might be okay, but in my experience some of the releases aren't suitable for the higher loads kites bring. Forewarned is like having four arms - or whatever....

glasstraxx said..
What's the wind range. Fyi I have a 2014 10m park and I need a solid 20 knots to get going!

whats your weight? I have a 12m 2014 park and I can go around 13 knots and Im 80ish. but I have a Core Xr3 9m and I get going in 15 knots.. so there are a few occasions when I use the 12m. =(

Hi Sailezzy

The question I would be asking myself is where would I like my kite to top out.
A 10 park at your weight could when would top out at about 30 knots and start to get fun at about 18/20 in my opinion
A 12 would get you going in 15 and top out around 25
A 17 would get you going 12 and top out around 20 and be fun at 15
All on a medium sized twin tip

As a sail boarder / wake boarder all the board skills in the world will not compensate for poor kite skills
Learn to fly the kite it's 80% kite skills 20 board.
Get a lesson so you completely understand the safety system and self rescue and deep water pack down
Smash a school kite into the ground a few time before you buy your own