Help building my kite quiver
Mon, 06/21/2010 - 17:32
I just started this season. Currently on a borrowed Cabrinha Omega 12m. Seems to be a good size right now.
I am 160 lbs and 5' 11". I am thinking a bit ahead and wonder what sizes kites I should be looking for. I will mainly ride in Nahant and Revere. Occasionally maybe a trip to the cape but not often.
So what do you folks think would be needed?
Two kites enough? What sizes? What kites? I would say I am a fast learner and need equipment that grows with me a bit. Not looking for just beginner kites.
Already have two boards. An RRD X5 132x38 and a plywood baby 142x43. You can see my plywood board here if you are interested. Turned out to be great for me learning in light wind.
http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=107&t=2364963
Looking forward to your input.
Mon, 06/21/2010 - 17:38
#1
next kite
Daspi,
At 160 the 12m and that lightwind might do very well for you through summer. If you weighed 190-200 then I would suggest a choice of big kite or small kite next. Summer winds are light. Also smaller kite is always the fun option for those that start to throw down. 12m and a 7/8/9m would be the next step I think.
Tue, 06/22/2010 - 07:29
#2
Daspi- I'm similar size and
Daspi- I'm similar size and weight, started last Summer with a 12 M. That's my main kite so it's my most important one. It's a 2009 kite, has good low end and fast turning.
Then I bought a 15M for the real light days but I've found that it only increases my range by a few MPH and it turns very slow, so I don't use it very often.
After that I got a cheap 10M (most guys go to 9/ 12 combo) and a cheap 7M for Winter winds.
Out of the 4 kites I use my 12M about 80 or 90% of the time.
I also make my own ply boards. My 152 works great for light winds/ flat water. The jury is still out on my 132. It doesn't seem to plane thru lulls very well, even though it has almost no rocker, although it could just be me. I wanted to see your board but the link didn't work for me.
Tue, 06/22/2010 - 07:56
#3
I find that two kites will
I find that two kites will cover a huge range of winds.
a 12 8 or 12-9 would give a lighter guy like you plenty of range.
I go with fewer kites and more board options.
I would recommend getting a small kite for the Big days that we live for and then eventually Change out the Omega for a powerful 10 or 12 like the Switchblade. At your weight anything more powerful than that isn't helping and I belive you will actully start seeing diminished returns in power due to drag and other ineficiancies.
Tue, 06/22/2010 - 08:30
#4
if your going to kite the
if your going to kite the summer winds, get a 16 meter or so. It's great to get out and ride while everybody is sitting on the beach staring at their 12's and 9's. Better to ride a slow kite than sit on the beach all day. Your full quiver should end up being 8 12 16 or 9 12 16. Buy the 16 before the 9 as you'll need it more in july and aug.
Tue, 06/22/2010 - 09:01
#5
I agree with pretty much
I agree with pretty much everyone ;P
to each their own.
but I would buy a newer 12m. or an 11m, depending on what it is. at 160lbs you are pretty light, and if you can get away with a faster kite you'd like it more. especially if yer ply is good in light winds.
Buy a 7m/8m/9m later in the fall. it all depends on how much wind you really wanna be out in during your first year 
Tue, 06/22/2010 - 14:09
#6
You shouldn't need anything
You shouldn't need anything bigger than a 12m with that ply. I'm with Phil, it's all about the boards.
Tue, 06/22/2010 - 18:03
#8
I noticed that a lot of
I noticed that a lot of people use Best kites around here, does this have more to do with local shops and instructors or are they really that good? Seems everybody praises the Waroo. What good 12m kites can you guys recommend for me that are not just pure learning kites. If I switch by the end of this season I want something I can stay with for a bit.
Tue, 06/22/2010 - 21:34
#9
Hey, your board looks great!
Hey, your board looks great! Good job with that router.
I found that it was easier to learn with fins on my ply boards, because they don't get overpowered and slide out as easily with the fins. I really had a hard time with slide out in the beginning. Now I occasionaly take the fins off, like if I'm kiting in puddle depth, but it does seem to reduce the high end of the board. You may not have that problem though.
I have 2 Best kites, Bularoos (like Waroos) because they're cheap and easy to use. My favorite kite though is my 12M Royal Era. It has a little more power for size than the Best.
Wed, 06/23/2010 - 14:41
#10
Asking about kite brands on a
Asking about kite brands on a forum will no doubt get some interesting responses Pretty much any new 09/10 is going to work well. There are no more bad kites out there.
Some kites excel in some areas more than others. You can buy a good all-around kite but it won't be the best at jumping, going upwind, relaunching, unhooking, wave-riding etc...
The most important thing is to buy from a reputable dealer. Should something go wrong you will be taken care of ASAP.
Most likely you won't get a pure learning kite. School kites are mostly only available to dealers and schools.
Good luck!
Tue, 06/22/2010 - 22:11
#11
You're a light guy
At 160, the 12M could be your big kite. I'm 190 and can ride my 12M switchblade in about 12 knots with my surfboard. You're 30 pounds less, so you could probaby ride in 10-12 knots with the right board & technique. I had a 15M which got me going in like 10-11 knots, but it was such a dog of a kite and turned SO slow. Plus when it picked up, I was way overpowerd and had to pump up my 12M. For decent winds of 15 - 20, the 12 might actually be too much for your weight. I would think a 10M would be your sweet spot kite, and 7-8M your high wind kite. But if you're looking for a 2 kite quiver, I'd go with a 12 / 9. Like others said, you might want to upgrade to a newer faster turning 12M...if you like Cabrinha, the Switchblade rocks.
Tue, 06/29/2010 - 13:16
#12
15 - 20, the 12 might actually be too much
I've noticed that already the last session. Gusts were around the 20 knots and I couldn't do much anymore and had to wait for the lulls. I bet it has to do with me still learning to ride and control the kite. I am sure with better skills one can hold the kite longer...but I see what you are saying. I bet I would have been happier with a 9m that day.
Sooo I guess I am going to look for a 9m sometime soon and later replace the 12m.
Thank you all for the help.
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 13:00
#13
Taking my smaller board did
Taking my smaller board did the trick in stronger winds.
I am now staying upwind, do some slide turns and can hold the 12m much better in gusts. I can confirm that my RRD with fins slides out much less than the ply without the fins. Maybe I will add fins to my ply after all.
Bought a used older 9m Waroo locally. Should serve me well enough for the first season or two. Now I'm still looking around for an used ~12m kite to replace the Omega eventually. Not in a rush. If anybody is thinking of replacing a newer 12m, shoot me a message.
Thank you so far. Great insight. I see most suggest to extend my range by buying a smaller kite and upgrade the 12m. Sounds like a plan. At one point I do want to try a larger one as well, just to see what it is like, but that can wait. As to the link. You can copy past into your browser address bar. Or I just switched to the rich text editor, now the link should work via a click.
www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php
http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=107&t=2364963
Let me know what you think of the board. Was real cheap to build and works great.
__________________
Dani