Kite advice
Tue, 03/29/2011 - 14:00
Yesterday I sold my 12 meter 2009 Ozone Instinct Light. This is the kite I had put the overwelming majority of my lifetime sessions on with. I knew and liked the kite but sold it because it was getting long in the tooth and figured its cost of ownership could go rapidly as its need for repairs would grow. Both the lines and Canopy where showing age with many parts of the canopy feeling quite thin.
As it turns out, I also own a relatively new 2010 12 meter C4 which I purchased from a friend who was upgrading her kites. I have taken this kite out a couple of times and it is quite different. In particular here are some of differences that I noticed sorted by my preferences. Things I don't like; (1) m0re bar pressure (2) less depower from sheeting (3) and flies noticably slower (4) less power for the same size while parked. Things I do like (1) turns faster (2) pulls better while turning and (3) seems to have just a bit more power at the edges of the window.
In terms of my ability as a rider I am still a bit of a beginner and am wondering if perhaps I am going to be riding with the wrong kite and that will hold back my progress. In particular, would I be better off with the updated version of the Light, the Catalyst or is ther just not that much difference between kites and their performance profile given my ability and interests. I am currently working on the following; consistently initiating and landing jumps in either direction to either direction, comfortable toe side riding and consistent toe side turns. If as my comfort with toe side riding and grows sufficiently I expect that getting involved in some wave riding is next.
Your advice and comments would be greatly appreciated.
Tue, 03/29/2011 - 17:25
#1
I could go on and give you a
I could go on and give you a long answer, but it pretty much comes down to this:
If you try a Cat and like them better, go with it!
Otherwise, man you will learn to love that C4... just give it time. It will improve your riding far quicker than the Light.
If you do get rid of the 12m, let me know... I know a friend that wants one!
Tue, 03/29/2011 - 19:19
#2
I have a catalyst 12m which I
I have a catalyst 12m which I like and have been riding since august. I've been wanting to try the C4. We should try and kite together soon and switch back and forth.
Tue, 04/12/2011 - 11:06
#4
Another session on the C4
On Sunday I had a really nice session with the C4 which helped me turn the corner on the kite. I moved the steering lines all the way back and I was really surprised by the difference it made. The kite really turned much more quickly and there was much less bar pressure.
I am also just starting to jump and it seems like it offers a more gradual and consistent pull when sent up than the Light. Really very nice and easy to jump with. It really surprised me once as I saw the water falling away from me as it pulled and then I very gently glided back onto the water ( man this is a cool sport! ). Of course, it could just be that on that particular occasion I just happened to steer the kite in just the right spot for a nice long floaty jump. It happened relatively near the end of my session and I figured I would not attempt another jump as it was unlikely to get any better that day.
In any case, I think I will be sticking with the kite.
Tue, 04/12/2011 - 11:29
#5
yeayyyyy happy to hear!
yeayyyyy happy to hear!
I'm a big fan of kites that you fly how they come out of the box... when Ozone started giving "options" on how to set up the kite, I wasn't really into it. But maybe now I'll bring those lines back and give it a whirl. faster turning is always fun!! btw, do you keep your lines "tuned" with the white line consistently? I'm curious how you rode those with the light, and if you are doing the same thing now.
Tue, 04/12/2011 - 12:57
#6
Trim on the side lines
When the Light was new, I used it as set up with the white lines showing ( the default ). About a year into owning the kite, I checked my lines and noticed that the front lines had gotten a bit longer so I let the adjusters out to make the back lines a bit longer. Keep in mind that I don't do any material amount of riding unhooked so everything is a lot less sensitive to this adjustment as I am constantly moving the bar a small amount. The new kite, the C4, I am using with the default setting. Moving the back attachment point was really helpful, particularly when it comes to dropping the amount of bar pressure. Turning speed increased a bit but it was really the bar pressure change that I found most noticable.
Wed, 04/13/2011 - 12:46
#7
interesting... I can't wait
interesting... I can't wait to try it!!
As it turns out I did the back to back compare and my impressions are from that experience, the multiple sessions on the Light and one session where I just used the C4. I think I am going to give the C4 more of a chance and then decide. If we find ourselves at the same beach, I am up our each doing a comparison.
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