Can anyone recommend a 12m (based on a 85kg rider in the 15 knot wind range using a TT) that:
Goes upwind;
Boosts well;
Doesn't turn like a B-double.
I've ridden the Takoon Chrono, 2011 LF Envy, Havoc and Wainman Boss, all of which have certain attributes I'm looking for, but not all of the above.
Thanks.
Give a 11.5 Griffin Argo a go ,pulls like a truck but still turns real nice,great for loops and boosting, cranks in 15-25.
13m 2011 Ozone Edge would exceed all of your criteria, and with a lot more panache than some of the lower aspect "trucks."
I don't want a large kite to pull like a truck; I want it to soar like an eagle. I want efficient power and range, not brute power that just pulls me downwind and gets overpowered easily.
When I was riding Switchblades I would often be out riding when guys on other kites could not get off the beach.
On one occasion I went out when a fairly experienced guy on another name brand said I would be swimming. I went out, rode upwind, did a few jumps. Had fun.
He and his mates could not even get planing or ride out of the shallows.
Another experienced rider turned up, put up her SB 12m and joined me riding and jumping and having fun.
To an extent the board makes more difference than the kite, and rider skill makes even more difference.
I know how to ride in light winds, have the right kind of board, and have the experience to see that there was a heap of wind out of the wind shadow on the beach.
Give a 12m Rally a try. I cant fault them and i am about your weight. As a matter of fact give as many different brands a go while your at it. I think we are all a little biast on here when it comes to that question so you will never know if you dont try before you buy. Good luck.
Pulls like a truck is a figure of speech,basically you want to go and try a delta bow ,Argo,Core,Rally and compare to a widespan bow,your widespan is gonna give you just as good upwind and lift but its not gonna be as nimble in the turns as a delta and isn't gonna relaunch as quick, try both and compare.
Hey IRW,
Just received the first 17m Light Wind Core XR2's and the new bars!
Very Excited. Review will be forth coming when winds are appropriate.
DM
X19 breaks all light light wind performance in 5-10knts no doubt.Foils cant be beaten in under 10knts with super light cloth.
the 16-18m sizes very nice are the Edge and Zephyr 17m, North Dyno and the XR 2 17m LW is you want something with more grunt for freestyle and boosting.
^^^
Will do, though it may be a month or so. The 15m will be for me in 10-16knots and is bigger than you're after but may give you a sense of the feel that the 13m will have.
If your looking to target 15-20 knots specifically and you want a kite thats quick,boosty and trucks upwind i'd also demo a 14 Park,its far from a widespan 14 and it rocks in anything from 12-20+,well worth the demo,most people that demo my one are blown away with how quick it is for a 14m.
Have you compared the Park to the RPM? They both kind of fit into that 'open C' category which some day isn't as grunty as a pure delta or bow, or some combination thereof... anyway will check it out, cheers 
True its no Delta but for your target windrange it will definately make you grin,well worth a demo.
