Kite Quiver
Tue, 04/05/2011 - 13:09
Hi Everyone,
I'm a rookie and I was wondering if you guys could help me build my kite quiver so I can kite year round. I currently have a 2010 13m Naish Charger and a Liquid Force 151cm Proof board. I weigh about 175 pounds. Any advice would help!! thanks in advance.
Tue, 04/05/2011 - 13:41
#1
6 meter LF havoc 2009
Hey,
I'm selling my 2009 Liquid Force Havoc 6 meter for $350 if you are interested. Comes complete with bar/bag/lines.
Get at me soon though cause if I don't sell it by the end of the week I'm going to trade it in at Real.
-Ilya
Tue, 04/05/2011 - 14:24
#2
Next kite
Your next best kite purchase would be a 8-9 meter kite. This will set you up for the days when the 13 is just too much. Adding a light wind board would also get you out on those days where you can't stay upwind with the proof. Despite being pretty long, its my impression that its not a great light wind board.
I weigh 175# and I am an admitted gear slut.
I have and use everything in the following set up:
3 Ozone Kites, 8, 12 and 17 meter. Boards, 144 Underground Stella, 150 cm Ocean Rodeo Mako Wide (great in chop not good in light wind), 130 cm Nobile 555 (if I happen to be in that rare spot with enough power and flat water its an awesome ride). I am good with a steady wind of 9-10 kts up to about 30 kts with that set up. The 12 and the 8 get the most use in the spring and fall. The 17 gets most of its use in the summer.
If I were to replace the Stella with a true light wind board like the Spleen door I could probably get a bit more out of the low end, say 6-8 kts with the 17 meter or possibly even the 12. This may not seem like much but there are plenty of days in the summer where you get 7-8 kts of wind and no more.
Wed, 04/06/2011 - 21:11
#4
I would say get a smaller
I would say get a smaller kite before a larger kite. There is nothing worse than having to much wind to kite. I only have a 12m and a 9m. I also have 2 boards. One is a 164 Spleen door. I love the door. I can get up wind easily and in light wind.
Wed, 04/06/2011 - 14:14
#5
Don't have a ton of kiting
Don't have a ton of kiting experience... but I am running a 7m, 11m kite quiver with a 135x40 TT and I just got a 5'8" surfboard and I dont think I will need anything bigger. I am only 165 plus gear and when I first went out on the surfboard I put my 11 up as I would have with the TT and ended up coming in and putting the 7 up. The surfboard requires alot less power. Havent had the chance to find out how low my range will be but from my experience I only need a steady 15 to really enjoy the 11 and the TT and I think with the surfboard I will only need enough wind to keep the kite in the air... say a steady 10-12mph. And with the TT my 7 is good to 30+.
I would say get the 8 or 9 and maybe another board for lightwind or more performance... Im sure with the surfboard I would have no need for anything bigger then a 13... and if I cant get out on that then it probably just isnt worth the effort. We'll see how the summer goes though... I have been blessed with the stronger fall and winter winds. This weekend is looking like it could go either way, powered or lightwind kiting idk well have to see but I will keep you updated. Would much prefer to put the 7 up and ride the surfboard as it is quite fun.
Wed, 04/06/2011 - 20:56
#6
I'd say skip the 17m kite.
I'd say skip the 17m kite. I'm about the same weight and have a 13m and a 16m and a 9. I have had the 16m for years and never use it. If there is enough wind to keep a kite in the air the 13m and a light wind board will get you out on the water.
Go for a 8 or 9 m instead, then when the wind is blowing strong into the 20's you'll have a kite to use.
Wed, 04/06/2011 - 22:30
#7
Hey, I'm riding a 12m and
Hey, I'm riding a 12m and have been kiting in Rhode Island all last summer. I've been thinking about getting a bigger kite too. The wind in the winter is great but the summer really lacks. There were plenty of days that I wanted to be out but there just wasnt enough wind. IMO a bigger kite will get you on the water when there's bikinis on the beach. I'm thinking of going bigger for the summer and then save up to get a smaller kite for the higher winds in the fall. Thats just my 2 cents.
Thu, 04/07/2011 - 07:29
#8
Defense of a Bigger Kite
If all you want to do is get out on the water and stay up wind a 12 -13 and a door style board will do that for you. That set up will get you up and going on light wind days and the door style boards are classic "session savers" in that regard. Also, more advanced kiters can use that same kite and a strapless surf board to work on other skills. For me, the big kite is useful in that it turns marginal days ( 10 -12 kts ) into fully powered days. More power means a smaller more fun board, jumping, carving turns and if you are up to it ( not me yet ) tricks. Also, because everything happens just a bit more slowly with a big kite it can offer a great learning environment.
That said, if all you have is a 12 -13 and you only plan on having two kites, the 8-9 should be your next purchase. If you asked me at the start of July and you were going to have a 3 kite quiver anyway, your next kite should be the big kite. You will get a lot of use out of it in the summer doldrums.
Thu, 04/07/2011 - 21:22
#9
Hey Peter it's pretty cool
Hey Peter it's pretty cool seeing what you have for kites and boards. I think we should all have a list like that so anyone can see our quivers. That way you 'd know who to ask if you want info on a particular kite or board your thinking of buying. No wait. I'd be embarrassed to list all the crap I have.
Fri, 04/08/2011 - 07:20
#10
I am a bit embarrased
I am a bit embarrased to list out all the kite gear I have bought. I am fortunate in that I can afford to buy the gear and it is nice to head to the beach and be well set up for just about any conditions my abilities can handle.
Fri, 04/08/2011 - 09:24
#11
Is it summer yet?
I'm actually looking forward to get on the water at the beginning of june due to two broken wrists (yes! I look like a retard with both of my arms casted). That happened a week before my vacation... I was going to Brazil for 2 weeks! I was very excited to get on the water down there since I found out that the town (Paracuru/CE) I have a beach house in is known as the Kitesurfing paradise! Anyways, by the time I get both of my casts taken off summer will be right around the corner. So, if you guys know anyone whos selling a 17m, let me know cuz I don't wana miss a single day of this summer!! Thanks for the inputs everyone!!! Looking forward to see you guys on the water...
Fri, 04/08/2011 - 11:12
#12
Looks like I am a little late
Looks like I am a little late to the party. However one thing that I think is really important to consider when looking at BIGGER kites is the year and model . The newer years 09/10/11 have a lot more grunt then previous years. Also some of the new kite designs are increasing wind range and low end ability. For instance I replaced my 17m and 15m waroos 07 and 08 with an 09 13.5m kahoona and get more low end then before. It is really amazing what a slightly different aspect ratio and tuning will do. I suggest trying out different bigger kites and see what fits your style. However I would stay away from anything older than 09. Not to say kites older than 09 are bad just that if you are going to spend the money why not spend a little extra and benefit from the newer designs and performance.
Just my two cents, hope to see you on the water this summer!
Fri, 04/08/2011 - 21:09
#13
I gotta echo what Eric said
I gotta echo what Eric said about big old kites. Best to try before you buy if possible. Some of the older oversized kites are so slow to turn that they aren't much fun.
Sat, 04/16/2011 - 19:52
#14
The 17 waroo is still for
The 17 waroo is still for sale but only for a few weeks.
I might be getting a 2007 Best Waroo 17m tomorrow...so I'll have a 13 and a 17... I still have to decide wether I get the 8m or the 9m... what do you guys think? thank you for the help!!! i really appreciate it...