Best big kite size for East Bay for max water time?

[CdoG]

ask yourself what size kite you want to swim in with, you can take a big kite out in the East Bay but if that when drops you'll be swimming that sucker home...
12m and surfboard for me
@200lbs

[androka]

Agree with CDog, have not seen advantages in East Bay beyond 12/13 M. Rarely does wind stay light enough for larger than 13M and remain consistent. So sizes above 13M would be wasted.

Alameda is a different animal entirely. You want a large size to feed the Kite Tree over there....

[knyfe]

Wrong question. Change in board is way more important than the kite. Get a Door / glide if you want to stick to a TT. If you want even less get a foil. Only after that think about another kite. G

[dwaynej]

Not all 14's are equal - A 14M Switchblade is a fat mans 12M (I have one) - Its big and heavy. There are lighter 14M's to choose from.

[tocayo]

You guys are right. Screw the 14M, I'm getting some Boardriding Clouds and a foil...

JK. That's for when I have more time and $.

So to be clear, no one thinks a light wind kite is a better solution here than just a big 14M+ "normal" kite? (would likely be a slingshot, Switch, or RRD)

Thanks, DW

If you aren't going to change boards, this is incredibly important. All 14M kites are nowhere near created equal. My 11M Ozone edge is much better in light wind than my 14M Naish Park was and I even believe it has more low end than my buddy's 15M Naish Fly. Many of the 14M versions of freestyle kites such as a 14m Naish Park seem to be geared more towards heavier riders (210lbs+) who will ride in "good wind." When you try to use the large freestyle kites in very light winds, they have a tendency to hindenburg because they don't have the wing like designs that an Ozone Edge or other high aspect kite would have. The large freestyle kites also seem to have much more trouble flying at the front of the window in light wind when you really need to pinch upwind. In my opinion, if your goal is to get more days on water with your existing twin tip in light winds, you should go for a 13M-14M high aspect kite (Ozone Edge, Cabrinha Velocity, ASV, Naish Draft). Many people respond to this with "I don't want a slow turning or racing kite." In light winds, the 14M freestyle kite won't be turning very fast either and you may just be swimming in with it like the above poster said. There isn't much freestyle to be had in 10-15mph anyway! If you are hitting megaloops with a 14M kite in 10-15mph then more power to you! Go with a high aspect kite and you will be fine!

[amir]

I kite East bay regularly and recommend getting a variety of boards. It will give you more flexibility than kites as the wind window is usually shorter (3-5 PM).

Also the wind can vary quite a bit from TP to the pier to the bulb. Light on the beach and more elsewhere.

[amir]

I kite East bay regularly and recommend getting a variety of boards. It will give you more flexibility than kites as the wind window is usually shorter (3-5 PM).

Also the wind can vary quite a bit from TP to the pier to the bulb. Light on the beach and more elsewhere.

[WindMuch]

Cabrinha 14m SB, 13/15 Contra, or 14m Velocity are ALL good options
steve

Full disclosure: I think it is important to note here - I *believe* Steve is a paid rep for Cabrinha.

Correct me if I'm wrong and there's nothing wrong with pimping your affiliation - just that said affiliation should be transparent. Right?

Kirk out

[mjwarne]

I bought a 14.5m Maui Cloud at the end of last year to get more out of these sort of light wind days and would recommend it.

I've already had a bunch of good sessions on it with 12-14mph type winds where there are either no white caps or barely any white caps. It's got plenty of power but doesn't feel like a big, heavy, slow turning kite, so it makes those light wind days a lot more fun.

[steve]

Kirk:
you are absolutely correct. I am the Cabrinha Mfg Rep for CA and have been with Cabrinha since the beginning.

If you re-read my post, you'll note I sd the Cabrinha 13/15 Contra and the 14 Velocity are ALL good OPTIONS...I didn't say they were the best or only OPTIONS.

steve