Hi all,
I'm a 170lbs kiter looking for a lightwind depowerable to use on both water and land. While on water I plan to use a skimboard to make the most of the
light wind days and I'm definitely looking for a kite which will work well with that.
Here are the options I see:
1) Big FS Speed: If I had an unlimited budget I think I'd probably go with a 15m Speed 4 to get a reasonable turning speed while also getting a great
low end. However, the best price I can find on one of these is $1700. For around $900-1000 I can get a 15-21m Speed 2/3 DLX which should have similar
low end, but slower turning.
2) Big race kite: Every now and then I see kites like the Ozone Chrono or Edge come up for sale. From what I hear they may have an even better low
end, but if I understand correctly race kites turn very slowly and probably wouldn't be suitable for my riding. They're also not cheap.
3) Big lightwind LEI: I've heard good things about some of these and they're probably the cheapest option, but they're going to have worse low end
than the previous options.
4) FS Peak 2: If I was only interested in kiting on the land this would be the obvious choice. I hear it's not impossible to launch one off of the
water, but I suspect that's not something I can rely on. Everything is fine if I can launch from the land (which isn't the case everywhere I want to
fly) and if I can keep from crashing it (which will probably happen when I'm desperately trying to fly in low to no winds). Still, this would be great
on land and possibly good enough on water.
5) A 12m LEI with good low end: I'm very interested in the 12m FS Cronix which I hear has pretty good low end for a kite that size. Obviously this
would compromise my low end more than any other option, but maybe there's a time when it's not worth going out.
So, anyone have any thoughts? Alternatively, anyone selling one of these kites want to convince me I should buy it?
3. Switch Helium 18M - This thing I swear, flies on "bug farts"......I cut my teeth on 18M North Rhino and have a 24M PL Phantom2 that "used" to be my
light wind machine....but the Helium makes me giggle like a little girl with I ride it... thing is magic. https://vimeo.com/127434784
$850 + bar puts me in the same range as buying a used Speed 3 complete and more than buying a lightwind LEI I can find used like a 15m BRM Cloud.
I'll definitely keep my eyes open for any used ones though. I assume the Helium is noticeably better than your big Rhino and Phanton2. Can you compare
it against any of the things I was looking at?
I would go for the 15m if turning speed is a concern.
Can those be boat launched? One of the many places I would like to fly these would be Candlewood lake where there is little wind and are no real
beaches. If it works though I might send him a U2U.
Also, I worry a little about the usability of foils with a skimboard. I was under the impression that skimboard riding might not lend itself well to
kites which require apparent wind to shine, but I can't say I've actually ever used a skimboard.
"Can those be boat launched?"
I never launched my X19 from a boat, but did launch it many times out of the bag in shallow water.
As long as the waves do not roll over into the intakes it works. Of course by the waves roll you need a smaller kite...
I do not have a skimboard but ride a race board with it most of the time.
"Many would argue they put the Speed to shame. Every bit as good quality as Flysurfer."
The other day the X19+RB combo beat the low end light wind performance of two 19m Silver arrow, and an 17m Edge -sitting on the sandbars while I was
having fun!
I would go for the 15m if turning speed is a concern.
Can those be boat launched? One of the many places I would like to fly these would be Candlewood lake where there is little wind and are no real
beaches. If it works though I might send him a U2U.
Also, I worry a little about the usability of foils with a skimboard. I was under the impression that skimboard riding might not lend itself well to
kites which require apparent wind to shine, but I can't say I've actually ever used a skimboard.
skims boards work well and any kite actually , small and quick, too big is not so good. chop or rough water is not so good either , u need
smooth flat water , inside under the break is fun 8-9m lei 12-15mph , <200#
a race board/foil with smaller kite <12m has tremendous range.
these are great combos...that require considerable skill level . adding a big finicky foil kite requires even more . not the starter package.
the 12m lei would be your best all around ...esp to start with.
PHREERIDER might have me convinced on a 12m. It's a shame the 12m Cronix I saw that was complete for $750 has vanished. I'll keep my eyes out for
another as everything I've read about them sounds excellent.
for your weight, a 12m lei is plenty. you can do all you want on land, snow or water into the 20's .
there has to be balance of power and weight for good result and compared to a big foil this will make it easier.
when a 12 is powered it is much better learning scenario than, a BIG anything, certainly not a foil.... choices like that are very specific for
weight, application and skill.
though a peak2 12m may be an excellent choice(prolly should be a 9m), a modern 12m tube is generally the center of most applications in kiting, and
you can grow from it in multiple directions. smaller units, foils, board choices.
I vote 15m S3 deluxe. There are a few for sale right now. You can drift launch it from a boat (never tried from a boat) but you should get to know the
kite inside out first in nice launch areas and also learn to drift launch it in shallow water. Sometimes after landing assisted I have tangles in the
bridle from improper handling of the kite by the person landing it. Make sure there are no tangles before trying a boat launch, that would suck out in
deep water.
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