The Thruster will fly as early as any other kite in the market, but gosh, quality has improved so much in the 08 range. It is a kite that you only need to try once and will go 'wow', with top quality and reinforcement.

G'day Skiddz, no this was a few days ago I think, just looking at at instant on the Darwin Airport wind speeds. Monday morning was 21knts with gusts up to 27knts for one reading.

The last couple of days have been less according to the airport.

I saw a couple of kites out 2-3 evenings ago, must have launched from Nightcliff, i guess it is better for the current wind direction which is onsure at Cas.

One of the days I saw a guy out on a foil, not sure what it was though.

padi said...

The Thruster will fly as early as any other kite in the market, but gosh, quality has improved so much in the 08 range. It is a kite that you only need to try once and will go 'wow', with top quality and reinforcement.

True and yesterday i got wet with the 16m Thruster, if this had been at the Brisbane demo everyone would have been ripping and have it depowered.

And yes it's top level in build, yes it is fast definately as fast as 14's.
yes the Graphics are standout. and the bar is so user friendly it makes you wonder where other brands brains were when thinking simplicity.

when giving another guy a go, and running over the bar set up, it's feels wierd to be simply pointing out the labeling. Like "this is the depower strap pull the red one labeled less for less power and the one with More on it for more power". or "when you have bar upside down it says 'wrong way'.

There is also and extra ridge of padding on the bar along top edge that helps grip and comfort, and this may also contribute to the feeling the bar is slimmer in the centre area.

And maybe now my lazy side will like the one pump system, if it doesn't and I ever get my own personal one i can convert it back. The neoprene cover over the one pump clips will save a few canopy repairs.

Looking at Sburlo's description of his size and boards.
the 8m may well work from just above 20kts to at least 40kts, skill Dependant.

the 16m from 10kts to about 20kts.

pretty much not much room for overlap. but a 12m may fit the bill in between.

Just talking to some of the guys down here, they highly recommend not getting anything over a 14m kite, because its just too slow. Much better off with a light wind board vs a massive kite.

Sburlo,

Had my first fly on the Thruster 08 16m yesterday and it is the BOMB (fantastic) for it's size, I was thinking that it would be slow. It though has quick turns and is very manageable power.

The 08 Thruster 16 is almost as fast as my 07 12 Thruster. Winds at the end were dying and at times was only about 10kts. I was predominantly the only one out.

What a fantastic kite! Can't wait to get the 12 Thruster 08 when it gets here.

A few others had a go on the 16 also and commented on how fast the kite was with manageable power. Great build and attention to detail.
The bar is really neat with a new Quick release that is very easy to use. I would have preferred the chicken bone (which is removable) to be a little longer. Everything else is fantastic