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?
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.
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.
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
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
Appex buggy, Libre hardcore buggies.
Flexboardz. Blokarts.
PKD Century Soulflys. NPW's. Nasa Stars.
A few other less flown oddballs,
Line sets from 10" to 328" or 2m to 100m.
worlds only AQR that works.
North American distributor for PKD.
"Kite Bugging is not an addiction until you try to quit".
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.
Appex buggy, Libre hardcore buggies.
Flexboardz. Blokarts.
PKD Century Soulflys. NPW's. Nasa Stars.
A few other less flown oddballs,
Line sets from 10" to 328" or 2m to 100m.
worlds only AQR that works.
North American distributor for PKD.
"Kite Bugging is not an addiction until you try to quit".
Appex buggy, Libre hardcore buggies.
Flexboardz. Blokarts.
PKD Century Soulflys. NPW's. Nasa Stars.
A few other less flown oddballs,
Line sets from 10" to 328" or 2m to 100m.
worlds only AQR that works.
North American distributor for PKD.
"Kite Bugging is not an addiction until you try to quit".
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.
NASA wings -1 to 12m [mostly KM4]
Foils -2 -12m [mostly PL & Pansh]
VTT Stinger on Midi's
Another day in Paradise...
Appex buggy, Libre hardcore buggies.
Flexboardz. Blokarts.
PKD Century Soulflys. NPW's. Nasa Stars.
A few other less flown oddballs,
Line sets from 10" to 328" or 2m to 100m.
worlds only AQR that works.
North American distributor for PKD.
"Kite Bugging is not an addiction until you try to quit".
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?
Depower Quiver: 14m Gin Eskimo, 10m Gin Eskimo III, 6m Gin Yeti, 4.5m Gin Yeti (custom bridle and mixer)
Fixed Bridle Quiver: MAC Bego 400, JOJO ET Instinct 2.5 & 5.5, Lil Devil 1.5, Sting 1.2
Rides: Ground Industries
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.
PKD Brooza\'s 2, 3, 4 and 5.5 meter
Libre Bora\'s 6 and 7 meter
Libre stainless full race with standard and big foot light wheels
Nasa wings: npw5 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.7, 2.4, 3.1, 3.9, 4.8, 5.8, 6.9 meters
npw9 3.4, 5.3, 6.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0, 11.0, 15.0 meters
Quadrifoil xm for sale
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:
Appex buggy, Libre hardcore buggies.
Flexboardz. Blokarts.
PKD Century Soulflys. NPW's. Nasa Stars.
A few other less flown oddballs,
Line sets from 10" to 328" or 2m to 100m.
worlds only AQR that works.
North American distributor for PKD.
"Kite Bugging is not an addiction until you try to quit".
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.
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!
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.
Appex buggy, Libre hardcore buggies.
Flexboardz. Blokarts.
PKD Century Soulflys. NPW's. Nasa Stars.
A few other less flown oddballs,
Line sets from 10" to 328" or 2m to 100m.
worlds only AQR that works.
North American distributor for PKD.
"Kite Bugging is not an addiction until you try to quit".
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