For you guys that have gotten quite a bit of experience on the water, can you post the wind ranges you use for your typical water kites? I'm interested in how you typically use your inflatables, arcs, flysurfers, all of them. This water stuff is new to me and I as well as others could learn about what kind of winds work for what size kites. Also add in the factors of body weight and board size so the numbers mean something for someone with a different size board or vastly different body weight. Thanks guys.

I weigh 150lbs.

9m Waroo: 25-40mph on a small board (132x39)

11m Waroo: 20-30mph on a small board (132x39) (used it in up low 40s by accident :o but held it down, not recommended)

13m Waroo: I've seen my buddy (150lbs) use it in 12mph on a wide board (135x46), and I've recently used it in winds up to about 26-28mph on a small board (132x39)

15m Waroo: I use this when winds are 12-20 on a big board (151x42). My buddy and I once used it in winds that felt like 10mph on his wide board (135x46). If winds are holding steady in the high teens, then I'll use my small board.

The wind ranges I've posted are winds I've personally used the kites in. Basically if the winds are over 20mph, I'm riding my smaller board. As far as my big board, if I could do it over again, I'd choose getting a wider flatter board with less rocker over a longer, narrow board with rocker.

200 lbs.

13m PL venom and 140X43 flat bottom for anything and everything

can get going around 13/14 mph

my best all around

will only go smaller 10m and 133 for 30mph + on setup

10- 13 m gives me plenty of range either tube or closed cell

when i started i wanted more power so a 16m for everything but balance and skill become refined and less is more which is the general direction you will want o go

seems bigger guys kinda go for over powered feel at first but changes when it all comes together ...board control, kite control and power management

Its really presonal preference. Each kite can have a different range for each rider. There are really to many variables. Board length, board width,surfboard,skimboard, kiter weight, kiting skill, kiter style.
Example would be my bottom end on my 14 rhino would probably be 12,13 somewhere right in there. Thats on a 140x43, I can go a touch lighter on a 161 pickle. Now if i had a surfboard i could probably go lighter, BUT i might then want to pull out my 9m Caution because its a faster kite, its a bit lighter, and would be more fun.
When i was learning, i was out and felt totally underpowered, board was sinking, going down wind alot, ect. And a buddy lent me his board which was longer and wider and i felt like i was well lit.
Looking at the kites recomended wind range will get you in the ballpark but its really up to you.

I hover around 170lb.
Ride a 5'8" surf directional in all conditions.
I ride on fresh water.
PL 15m Synergy 10-25 knots.
PL 10m Synergy 20-30plus knots. I haven't found the top end on this one yet.
Factory bar and lines. All settings at kite set to the middle so far.
Wind ranges overlap nicely and it's all pretty much sweet spot for me.

Thanks guys. Phree, you are right about feeling underpowered, but I also realize that I won't need so much power after I develop some skills on the water. I'm thinking my water quiver will be ready for about anything I'd try to go out in if I add a 19m Charger this winter sometime. Then I can probably have some overlap between the 12m Syn and the 19. I also have the Phantom which can take the middle range as an option. Tridude has never used his phanny on land but had it out with great success on water many times now, so I wouldn't hesitate to take it out on the water if the winds are in the mid to high teens. I'll get a feel for it. I just need some opportunity on the water.