Power Kite Forum

daily grind ... CH15 at the limit! [CH12 ride today]

PHREERIDER - 25-4-2010 at 05:02 PM

http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.as...

couple runs out , very rough . field full of white horses! head high tight together and steep. complete with rolling houses

3-5pm

a few times, kite became very unstable clamming shut up high, running depowered about 50%. back line tension brought it back instantly. def gave the session a creep factor . not the first for me but first on this rig. very challenging, i could walk backwards but even the smallest toe jump resulted in idle hovering and the bar very sensitive. the combination just too much



But upon checking the wind station when i got back home helped sort out the difficulties. a heavy wind session beyond the limits of the CH15. on the ground the wind felt 25mph or so, but at the tree top level was raging and gust swings nearly 15-20mph in difference. a smaller kite would've helped but still rough . the surface wind gradient above the water was all over the place big hollow spots and wind tunnels everywhere.

not sure what the suggested range is for the CH15, but over 35mph it won't do. definitely more fun in 20mph

acampbell - 26-4-2010 at 08:40 AM

LOL, they top out the wind range of the 15 at 20 mph. 35, sheesh. Careful, man.

Actually I do not see a water wind range posting on the PL site but I can extrapolate from the Synergy.

[Edit] Found the water wind ranges for Charger on the PeterLynnKiteBoarding.com site. They top out the 15m at about 19 mph

PHREERIDER - 26-4-2010 at 10:22 AM

totally over clocking this thing. 12 if not the 10 would have been more the ticket . but it took me 2 hours to confidently, without a doubt , rule out usefulness in conditions like that.

the wind gradient at the break level was very hard to read.

BeamerBob - 26-4-2010 at 10:33 AM

Have you checked your seams? I remember you busting some threads on (seems like) your 16 m venom in similar winds a year or so ago. The charger is supposed to be strong in all the right spots.

PHREERIDER - 26-4-2010 at 12:30 PM

kite is solid...just out range on this size, this is where the venoms separate from the pack and old school PL high wind gear rides on. the reasoning behind the sessions' madness was i kept thinking the CH 15 replaces my V13 and it doesn't. the extreme top end stability has been lost to sweet range quickness. i 'm good with it, just looking for one kite nirvana. def more MY problem than gear limitations.

borntofli - 26-4-2010 at 12:54 PM

Maybe you should sell it to me, it would be a 1 kite quiver for me........

awindofchange - 26-4-2010 at 01:13 PM

Pree,

You got your models & numbers backwards. The Ch15 would be a close replacement for a V16. The Chargers have more bottom end power then the Venom's therefore you can usually use one size smaller Charger than you normally would with the Venom's. This is only a generalization as there are obviously so many other factors such as board size, body weight, skill levels etc...

Going from a V13 to a Ch15 is a huge increase in power output. :)

arkay - 26-4-2010 at 01:37 PM

After flying the v213 and ch12 in comparable wind (12/15) this weekend, I can say they generated _roughly_ same amount of power but the ch was _significantly_ faster. And of course I tuned them both way down to wuss-mode ;)

PHREERIDER - 26-4-2010 at 01:44 PM

my hope was the CH12 would replace my 13 but it's not even close.


i'm still stuck on the PROJECTED AREA thing. because thats what it feels like in power and wind range. the V I/II 13m kite feels the same as the CH15. the ch12 feels like a V10.

low end quickness there is no doubt CHARGERS are choice.

and for me ... what one kite (V13) covered now takes two (ch12/15).

it was the issue to begin with

arkay - 26-4-2010 at 02:12 PM

Good news for me, but so far I've only been able to fly my v213 in 7/10 and 12/15, waiting for a 20+ day. I'd like to get this guy out on the water too after I get it tuned a bit better. Right now there's a bit too much back stall on my turns unless I just let the kite rip thru the window. Could be the kite tuning, probably a me tuning ;) lovin the grind.

PHREERIDER - 26-4-2010 at 05:48 PM

ok ...today. out in these conditions 4:30-6pm

http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.as...


on this kite

CH 12

conclusion ...it's too small! yeah it's quick, but it don't have the power . very meek up wind lines . guy on the 12m CAB just left me behind. which really sucks. and not one air even worth talking about. total struggle.

that totals about 6+ hours on the 12 and i've had enough of that folks.

BeamerBob - 26-4-2010 at 09:13 PM

Wow, and you had 30 mph at times. I guess it is just for that<140 lb crowd.

PHREERIDER - 27-4-2010 at 04:46 AM

exactly

Bladerunner - 27-4-2010 at 06:43 AM

I am finding my 10 so fast + fast to react with snatchy power that it is slowing my desire to jump with it . YES, I know these are great qualites for many peoples style. I like the soft forgiving nature of my 15m Syn for jumping " my " style.

I'm trading down to a 15m Charger from the 19 to see if it will serves me better so can compare soon.

BeamerBob - 27-4-2010 at 06:52 AM

Blade, what are your issues with the 19 Charger?

PHREERIDER - 27-4-2010 at 07:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bladerunner
I am finding my 10 so fast + fast to react with snatchy power that it is slowing my desire to jump with it . YES, I know these are great qualites for many peoples style. I like the soft forgiving nature of my 15m Syn for jumping " my " style.

I'm trading down to a 15m Charger from the 19 to see if it will serves me better so can compare soon.



the smaller 12/ 10 for me just sit far back in the window producing power(the snatchy parts) , which is cool for loopy down winders.

the v13 goes into an even lighter air session today ! back to the old grind!

markite - 28-4-2010 at 03:24 PM

Just got back from a week kiteboarding in Cuba and took 4 kites but ended up just riding the Charger 12 all the time and rode a Mako 140 and Mako King boards. The 12 worked great and had one of my best days of riding riding the Mako King and the 12 when winds were less than 25mph - probably around 22mph - kite partially depowered and doing nice high and long jumps all day because the waves were so nice. On days when wind was under 16mph on the big board I might have had to sine the kite a couple of times to get the board speed up but was great riding when you can throw the kite around a lot. Only pulled a 15 Charger out once and it was gusty and overpowered so the board was skipping too much and went back to the 12 for a cleaner ride. I was the only one riding Varadero and had so many people asking where to rent the kites. Poor drunken bastards.

PHREERIDER - 28-4-2010 at 05:47 PM

thats great MK. Nice CUBAN holiday! i like the quick loops and nimble speed for turning as well.

this 200lbs. loves the CH 15 for al the same reason

we've had a great run of incredible wind , but the last few days have been roughest, most inconsistent in awhile.