Which 9m kite should I buy?

Fassn8 · Post by **Fassn8** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:59 pm

Here are the candidates:
'07 North Rhino
'07 Best Waroo
'07 Cabrinha Switchblade (10m)

I'm looking for the best 9m kite out there right now. I weigh 165lbs and would consider myself to be an Intermediate kiter. I want a kite that jumps big, has a good wind range, and is safe (plenty of depower).

I'm by no means rich, but let's take money out of the equation. What would you get if someone said you could have any 9m kite you want?

Any and all feedback welcome.

michael · Post by **michael** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:38 pm

You can save A LOT of money and buy a used 9m Waroo of 2006.

mfremont · Post by **mfremont** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:14 pm

All three of kites are reviewed in the SBC Kiteboarding 2007 Buyer's Guide. (Although Waroo was 11m). If you read between the lines, you can get an idea of how they differ.

Of course, mag reviews are no substitute for trying them in person. I see that both Best and Cabrina are on the list for the Kite XPO at Pismo in late May.

UltraNectar · Post by **UltraNectar** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 8:54 pm

Hi there Fassn8,
If nothing else matters and you simply want the best kite in all of the areas of performance that you are talking about my choice would be the Ozone Instinct Sport 9m. Ozone is the sleeper company of this year and their new inflateable kites are unparalled........

janders · Post by **janders** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:04 pm

I would also try the new crossbow, especially if unhooked riding is not important. It definately has more range than the switchblade.

OliverG · Post by **OliverG** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:13 pm

Last year I remember a day at Sherman where Mark was demo'ing some of the Ozone kites and a few riders were out there having a great time on 11's or 13's, I'm not sure which, while others were having a hard time making their bigger kites keep them upwind at all.

I would like to try the kites, specifically the Ozone Sport and Ozone Edge.

Fassn8 · Post by **Fassn8** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:15 pm

Not riding unhooked yet :-)

I have a 12m '06 Switchblade and want a smaller kite for those windy days. The '07 SB only comes in even sizes. I think an 8 will be too small for most of my riding in Bay Area and a 10m will overlap with my 12m. I was/am looking at the '07 SB because it doesn't have pulleys. Maybe I should throw the Crossbow in the mix.

Maybe I need to consider the Ozones.

Man this is tough!!!! Trying to make a decision for an upcoming trip on the 18th to La Ventana

Bulldog · Post by **Bulldog** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:25 pm

DO NOT buy a new kite that you haven't demoed. Especially not with a deadline like that.

Buy a used kite. Even if you have more money than you need, you will be really, really bummed if you buy a new kite based on reviews and hearsay and then end up hating it.

I don't ride Best, but it's true you can get a used 9M Waroo for like $400 bucks. If you like it, ride it until you get a chance to demo the new Waroo and then buy it. If you hate it, demo a bunch of other stuff.

Note that I am not recommending you buy the brand I ride; which I'm not even going to tell you but it's not Best. No pimping here.

OliverG · Post by **OliverG** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:33 pm

I agree that no 07 new kite purchases should be without a demo first. If you have the time, make it known that you'd like to try X Brand or Y Brand kite soon and demos may be possible. Chances are good that you can demo whatever kite you're interested in here in the Bay Area soon and most kites may also be in stock locally. Alternately, if you just need a small kite for high wind days while traveling, hit the local ads to find something used.

windhorny · Post by **windhorny** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:51 pm

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