? Light wind kite w/light bar pressure

[Bulldog]

I would also suggest that you might try a 9M kite that flies faster than the one you currently ride. Also, sometimes the advertised low end is accurate, and will tell you when one kite has more grunt than another. I have found that going with a bigger kite makes it harder to generate apparent wind, so I found a speedy, gruntiy 9M that gets me going quicker. Also, the bigger the kite you fly, the more work it takes to fly the kite, no matter how light the bar pressure is. And once you do get on plane, the kite is going to pull you downwind constantly.

I'm not trying to push any brand of kite, but I will say that I have flown an RRD 10.5 Obsession in the same wind as my own 9M kite and actually had more trouble planing and getting upwind. I am often out on my 9M when others my size are on their 10.5s or bigger. A bigger version of the same kite, even an Ozone, is guaranteed to be slower and thus more work to fly.

Just say no to double digit kite sizes! (heavy guys excluded :mrgreen: )

[OliverG]

I'm a big proponent of fast, grunty kites as well. I often, but not always fly a kite size smaller than the masses and like it quite a bit. Flying a kite quickly and efficiently can give you the same power as many on a kite size larger. The benefit is more fun! Faster, smaller kites are simply more fun. I often people providing minimal input and steering to their kite. Some people fly bigger kites than they need to, and I've noticed that sometimes they are thew folks who get in the water, put their board on, dive their kite down and that's it! If they go, they go, if not, they do the same thing again. Sink down in the water, dive the kite, once, and just figure it will be like an "On" switch and the kite will just pull on autopilot. If you fly it, send it, work and be efficient, your sessions can be much more fun than if you were on a bigger kite.

[adamrod]

you shouldn't need something bigger than a 9...invest in a directional or a skimboard...much cheaper than another kite. you honestly won't get much use out of a bigger kite than a 9...

why can't you just keep riding your boyfriends kite? the bar pressure will just make you stronger so you can start unhooking anyway :-)

[windhorny]

I have to agree. As a light wind expert, I can tell you that large is not the key. the truth behind the exaggerations is that it takes 10mph to fly a kite without having to worry about it falling. An advanced pilot can work every last drop out and make it work. A large board is a must for this. but the question often becomes, why? If you want to get wet, thats about all that will end up happening. I do it all the time but 10 mph is just not enough to keep your tach without losing ground. I have seen some guys on large flysurfers and glides do less than 10, but it is more of a watch me slowly slip downwind, than ride, in other words if you get a larger kite, it still takes 10knts + to fly it right. Large kites are only for larger people to fly when it is windy enough to actually kite. It just seems that to kite happily you need at least 14 mph. And thats coming from someone who kites alameda a lot! :)

[jbirdmarin]

My intent is not to disagree with the prev two posters, b/c they know what they are talking about, but just to put out my perspective with small (9) vs medium (12) kites; leaving large (16) out of the mix. I am 160 lbs, ride a 5'8" quad, decent skills (4.5 years, comfortable at all bay area sites, some coastal). At my local spot, I am usually the only guy out on the lightest days, and I don't end up downwind (impossible at my spot). Also true a handful of times at Alameda. I love my 9 but it really doesn't do as well as the 12 in 12-14 mph winds, which is what I need when DESPERATE. A few weeks ago I took the 9 out at Crissy, struggled, then switched up to 12 and was fine. Also I enjoy the 12 in decent winds because I can just park it go. I guess I'd rather be slightly over vs under powered. Why work it more if not needed?? Reminds me of my friend who said he could keep up with me on his 600cc while I was on my 1000cc bike because he could work it harder, I never really understood why one would want to work harder?

But this has nothing to do with bar pressure!

[K. Cliff]

Kite and board size aside, what brand of kite on the market has the lightest bar pressure for 2010? In the past imo slingshot had it hands down, but this year?

[adamrod]

I am 160 lbs

yeah...that's the issue tho. I don't think she's 160 lbs. like Yuri said, bigger kites are for bigger people. when you're on a 12, she's comfortable on a 9. her getting a 12 is like you getting 16.

AND you have your 5'8" quad! which is probably a pretty money light wind weapon.

i say, get a skimboard. it'll run you like 200 bucks, it'll fit in your car and cranks upwind. and is a great challenge on light days.

[thelaserman]

Going along with birdmans thoughts, I like to ride overpowered most of the time. Im a big boy at 240lbs. I ride primarily alameda as its my back yard, but hit the other spots as well. I ride large kites and boards, but it all depends on my mood. I have 3 boards a 6-0 fish, 160cm litewave wing, and a nobile t5 134. Kites Last year i went with a 9 helix and a 15 cult. Alameda is light... I rode many many many days last year on my 15-wing combo. I could park and ride and jump in 12-13. It was a great setup, that let me stay powered and upwind, when everyone was complaning.
This year i switched to a 9 and 12 helix and a 19m flysurfer SA 2.5. I can ride the flysurfer and my surfboard in 8kts, and i havent tried the wing yet. Being able to get out on the water in such light wind is amazing. the kite is huge and powerfull, and i fly it to 15kts. then i switch to my 12.
It is all about what you want. I like kiting in any wind that i can ride. So the big kites get me many more days. i rode for 3 hrs yesterday in alameda on my 19 powered with both my surfboard and my 134. i rode for 2 hrs before it was strong enough for the 12's to come out.


i think ozone has the lightest bar pressure.

[Stefaans]

Well the good news here is I will be able to tell you guys all the details on the new Ozone kites for 2010 I am getting a bunch of the Ozone Catalyst delivered and should be a GREAT lightwind/Wave kite. I know these kites have very light bar pressure and fantastic low end but in the winds requested by this forum this kite should take the cake since it will definately be the lightest of the bunch and the easiest to keep in the air with its 3 strut configuration and a nice drifter in the waves.
Let me know if anybody wants to try these I should have them next week.

Stefaans

[litewavedave]

Globe Kites have adjustable bar pressure. It's another GK invention. You just move the bridle around on the LE. There are 3 mounting positions: Forward = more pressure....back = less.

Check it out on http://www.globekites.com