Power Kite Forum

Low wind kite

Purely Luck - 18-8-2013 at 06:57 AM

Hey all,

Right now the closest thing I have to a low wind kite is a Kahoona 11.5m v3. (Not really suited for low wind.)

I would love to get a montana 7 14m, but those things are crazy expensive.

I have found a montana 6 12.5m for a decent price and am wondering how this will do for a low wind kite setup.

I know it wont have the same absolute low end as a 14m, but I want to make sure that I wont be buying a kite with too much wind range crossover with my kahoona.

Will the montana 6 14m do well in sub 10 mph winds?

Thanks!

Purely Luck - 18-8-2013 at 06:57 AM

Note: This will be used for snowboarding/buggy.

soliver - 18-8-2013 at 10:11 AM

It seems like you're intent on depower?

Most will tell you that FB usually will perform better in low wind. If your willing to go FB then I would recommend a 8.6m Reactor II or Reactor 2013, or an 8m HQ Toxic. I can ride my 8.6m RII in my bug in 4-5mph wind.

I suppose that leads to the question, how low is your low wind?

Perhaps someone can recommend something depower that will suit your needs as well.

Proletariat - 18-8-2013 at 01:57 PM

IMO, Snowkite == depower and buggy == either FB or depower. If you're stuck to the idea of depower (which I am) then your options are only limited by budget. By far the best low wind depower is a 21m Speed 3 deluxe by flysurfer. Its also REALLY expensive.

For used depower, I'd say any of the 13+ m foils (or 18+ m for arcs) would be fine. Its hard to find something that actually turns in that size, but I wouldn't waste too much time thinking about it since the big ones have such a tiny window anyway. Just buy a cheap big bit of used nylon and throw it in the air whenever nothing else will fly. For this, I use an 18 Guerilla or a 19 Venom. Neither turns great, but I can catch air with either and ride all day in 7mph winds (or 5mph in snow). Even my 13 waroo was good in almost no winds, but it was a pain to launch.

lives2fly - 19-8-2013 at 03:41 AM

If you are happy flying LEI over land then check out Naish Fly or Ocean Rodeo Flite. I tried a bunch of light wind kites earlier in the summer and these were best of the pack unless you want a pure lightwind race kite.

Foil wise in addition to the kites already mentioned you could look at a 13m Ozone Frenzy

bigkid - 19-8-2013 at 10:01 AM

Was is stated as to what low wind is?
At some point this has to be decided on. Am I the only one that doesnt agree with the 7-10 range as low wind?
2-5 is lite wind
6-12 is the lowest for most
13-18 is great wind
19 and up is to die for

The only time I have not been able to buggy is when the wind is calm, or I should say I have not tried. If it is only enough to feel, I can buggy.
FB is better in low winds, as depower is better in higher winds

Purely Luck - 19-8-2013 at 10:42 AM

Thanks for the info bigkid,

I am thinking of anything sub 10 mph as low/lite wind. I can use my kahoonas in 10+, but those large tubes don't fly too well in 10 and under.

I am thinking of getting a large depow foil for 6-12ish.

And possibly getting a large single skin NPW for 2-5 ish.


So, this is what I am wondering about. Is the montana 6 12m large enough to be useful in 6-12 mph or should I look at something else?

I would like to stay on depow as much as possible since that is what I use when snowboarding/kiteboarding.

Purely Luck - 19-8-2013 at 10:45 AM

Perhaps I should get a fb (8.6m Reactor II) to use in lite (2-5) winds instead of the NPW?

bigkid - 19-8-2013 at 10:51 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Purely Luck  
Perhaps I should get a fb (8.6m Reactor II) to use in lite (2-5) winds instead of the NPW?

Go with the NPW. 1/2 the material and 1/2 the weight. I buggied at NABX a few years ago with a 15m while everyone was waiting for wind.


Purely Luck - 19-8-2013 at 10:53 AM

Oh wow, that is a large NPW. haha

So, I am new to NPWs. Have seen them in videos, but that is about it.

Would you put your bet on a 10m for riding on grass? I weigh about 170 pounds and my buggy is a cheap light thing. Prob weighs 30-40 pounds.

bigkid - 19-8-2013 at 11:28 AM

I would go big or go home. Hahahaha

Cerebite - 19-8-2013 at 12:21 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Purely Luck  
Perhaps I should get a fb (8.6m Reactor II) to use in lite (2-5) winds instead of the NPW?


I have both and seldom have a good session on the Reactor. Your mileage may vary but my wind is gusty and shifty at those speeds which the Reactor does not like, It iwll regularly tip tuck and or collapse going across the window.
My 12m NPW9 has been my goto kite for the summer [doldrum season in CO] to the point that I am thinking about getting a 15m. 95+% of my riding is on grass which is currently rather long and wet [springlike] due to our monsoon season.

size counts!

skimtwashington - 19-8-2013 at 12:45 PM

Someone will have to make you a NPW that large(12-15m). Yourself or Susan(the Goddess).....'cause there's none commercially available(Seiger maybe?).

bigkid - 19-8-2013 at 01:05 PM

I would go big or go home. Hahahaha

B-Roc - 19-8-2013 at 02:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Purely Luck  



So, this is what I am wondering about. Is the montana 6 12m large enough to be useful in 6-12 mph or should I look at something else?



I'd like to know the answer to that question too. Is the 12m Montana a light wind kite or a heavy guy's kite in moderate conditions.

I have been thinking about redoing my quiver to a 12/8/5m combo to replace the 4 kites I have now.

Today, I ride my 10 in 10+ winds and find its sweet spot in the teens. My 14m gets me going around 6 and can be overpowering by 12 and is awesome to jump with in the 7-10mph range.

Would a 12m eliminate the need for a 10/14 combo for a 145# landboarder riding at the beach or leave me underpowered in the sub 10 winds and overpowered in the low teens?

kitemaker4 - 20-8-2013 at 07:41 AM

For real low wind around 5 mph you would need a 15 meter npw9.

Susan (npw goddess)

Quote: Originally posted by Purely Luck  
Thanks for the info bigkid,

I am thinking of anything sub 10 mph as low/lite wind. I can use my kahoonas in 10+, but those large tubes don't fly too well in 10 and under.

I am thinking of getting a large depow foil for 6-12ish.

And possibly getting a large single skin NPW for 2-5 ish.


So, this is what I am wondering about. Is the montana 6 12m large enough to be useful in 6-12 mph or should I look at something else?

I would like to stay on depow as much as possible since that is what I use when snowboarding/kiteboarding.

bigkid - 21-8-2013 at 12:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by kitemaker4  
For real low wind around 5 mph you would need a 15 meter npw9.

Susan (npw goddess)

If you increase the length of the lines you can fly in lower wind.
The longest I had on my 15m was 160 feet. A bit of WOW when it powers up in 1-2mph wind. Nothing a clean pair of shorts wont take care of.:o did I say that out loud?

If you have the line sets, and you have the room, adding more length will make the kite fly in less wind. Go easy as you TRY it out for the first time. As the lines increase the kite will continue to operate at its regular speed and ability, as the window increases the time will increase to make the kite do it's thing. The kite isnt slower, the window is larger and takes longer for it to travel from side to side and or turn. Much like turning a boat, a ski boat turns on a dime as a cruise ship will take a few minutes before you even notice the start of the turn.
With that your power spot will last for 2 to 8 times as long depending on line length.

Any kite will fly on longer lines, some better than others but it works. An 8m reactor will work fine as a zero to low wind kite, but you need to Try it out to see how it works. One 6thing to be aware of is as the power lines increase the brake lines will also increase an additional 6-10 inches per 100 feet depending on the kite.
I have buggied with a 2.2 Century on 200 foot lines in 5-6mph wind. Kind of cool to have to squint to see the kite that far away. I wasnt traveling at great speeds, as this was one of my "lets see how this will work" moments. My next "lets see how this will work" moment will be with the same kite and lines in 20mph wind.:duh:

soliver - 21-8-2013 at 06:12 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Cerebite  
Quote: Originally posted by Purely Luck  
Perhaps I should get a fb (8.6m Reactor II) to use in lite (2-5) winds instead of the NPW?


I have both and seldom have a good session on the Reactor. Your mileage may vary but my wind is gusty and shifty at those speeds which the Reactor does not like, It iwll regularly tip tuck and or collapse going across the window.
My 12m NPW9 has been my goto kite for the summer [doldrum season in CO] to the point that I am thinking about getting a 15m. 95+% of my riding is on grass which is currently rather long and wet [springlike] due to our monsoon season.


I'll agree with that

While I LOVE my RII, an inconsistent wind under 5mph can be frustrating. It can be done when static flying, but in the bug, not so much. It will do pretty well in the 5-7mph range, but below (esp if it's shifty directionally) it can be difficult.

Sounds like a big NPW is the way to go.

crabnebula - 21-8-2013 at 07:14 PM

12m depower foil? Not really a true light wind kite if you're looking for powered riding
15 m lei would be better
But ultimately?
15 m or larger foil and over a 17m lightweight inflatable would be best

If you wait a year or two.... You're going to see unbelievable changes in kite tech making race kites for light wind and boards (water and snow)/skis specifically for light wind
Stuff like this tech will be awesome and very expensive!

Feyd - 24-8-2013 at 05:11 AM

Elf's already there. You want light wind, those things are unnatural. Really amazing kites. Flysurfer killers in light wind. =)

mougl - 24-8-2013 at 12:20 PM

Mmmmm.....elf......./drool

bigkid - 24-8-2013 at 09:15 PM

I was out this afternoon in 1-2mph wind and the 12m wouldnt fly on 90 foot lines. So out comes the 10m and I added another 90 feet to the 90 that was on it. Not enought to buggy with so out comes another 90 feet and Me and Levi were off and buggying down the beach. The wind changed direction and let up a bit and the beach got a bit smaller but had a great time.
A few others had a go at static flying the kite and Pete flew the kite till the fog rolled in and we couldnt see the kite anymore.
A great NO wind kite day at the beach from heck. Hope crazy herb got some of it on video.

BigMikesKites - 25-8-2013 at 10:24 AM


Reactor 6.9 with very light wind. Static