Well fellas I had the Montana out yesterday because I had a half day of work and the winds were up. Heres what was happening, the wind was gusting from probally 10-25mph easy and the Montana was just kicking my a$$. It was all over the place and dragging me all around, didnt even try to get on the board While at zenith a few times she lifted me right up probally 4-5 and set me down nice and soft so that was fun but the rest of the time it was like I was really fighting with it. Is it the bad winds I was in? Im really far inland like south central PA so I know the winds here are seldom good. So after fighting with that for an hour I got the Beamer out and did a few atb runs and of course the wind calmed down alitte bit after I packed the Montana up. Its the bad winds that had me fighting this thing isnt it? Im only 160lbs geared up so the kites just laughing at my lil a$$.

Those 25mph gusts would be fairly powerful on a 12.5m Montana. That likely didn't help.

thats what I was thinking, Ive been eyeballing the Neo 8m but wonder if it would be enought to get me in the water at the OBX...

Whoah! Hooj Ballz for sure. 27 is the top of the wind range for that kite and those published wind ranges are usually pretty aggressive. I put my 11m Neo away around 18 before I start feeling air under my butt in the bug.
And that's smooth coastal wind. I won't bother flying at all when the gusts are twice the lulls.

I'm not sure what the bottom end for the Neo 8 would be on the water but I would guess around 15 and I'm sure someone else can say firsthand

ok sounds like I need another kite to fill the void :smug:

Quote:

Originally posted by pigryder thats what I was thinking, Ive been eyeballing the Neo 8m but wonder if it would be enought to get me in the water at the OBX...

I watched a friend try to ride his 8M Neo in about 13mph wind on a 127 board. It wasn't quite enough with that board. He probably weighs less than 170lbs. Maybe with a little more experience or with a bigger board he could have ridden. He has had his kite up though when it was too windy for my neo. 25mph is too much for my 11m Neo. I think my next kite will be 8m or smaller for the higher wind range.

Cool thanks for the replies guys, I knew I was gonna have to add another kite in there for the higher winds and like I said I get down to the OBX atleast once a year and would like to try water also.

If you think you are wanting water cross-over, I was very pleased with my 11m Neo. On land, the low end was 6-7 mph if you worked it then would be a gentle champ once in motion. For a 200 lb friend of mine, low end on the water was about 11 with a skim board and 12 and 12 and higher would just be easier. As stated I put mine away at about 18 for land use but I'm sure mid 20-s would be good on water with the right rider.

My 15 m Synergy has about the same range but trickier on that low end. 8+ is easier. But it would eat up those gust ranges you spoke of a lot better. Chargers are out now.

campbell thanks man I was thinking 11m or 8m Neo and would like to go to the 8m to help fill the void for winds too high for the Montana, Like I said I had fun but you could tell the higher gusts had me barely on the ground and lifting without warning A cross-over kite would be great that way it could make the family vacation to the obx that much more fun.....

I'd definitely get a smaller kite for higher wind conditions. Flying a 12.5 in 25+ winds is gonna be sketchy to say the least. At your weight, you need a smaller kite. I would think the 8m would be a good size to go with. Only issue I see is that you will need a different kite for low winds on the water. The montana just isnt going to cut it. If it were a 12.5 closed cell foil, I would say you would be fine with that on the water as your low end kite, but its not.

Essentially, you will need a different kite for low end on the water. Something in the size range as your montana, but definitely more angled for water usage. Some of the larger LEIs would work fine (and are normally priced cheap if you go back a couple years), or you could go with a bigger foil. Twinskins do not have the best low-end, unless the Charger has changed that. And you will pay the price for that new large Charger. The Neos have decent low end, but you will need a 11m or larger for the low end (plus big board). Or you could go with a Flysurfer. They are exceptional, but expensive.

Hate to say it bud, but I think you will need two more kites...

two more kites is ok with me but dont know if the wallet wants to agree

If I had it to do overagain and had the money I would probably go with a 6 or 8m NEO and a 14m NEO for the low end. I tried to go with the 11m but I could go out more days if I had a 8m and 14m. I have also thought about an arc maybe 8m for the gusty winds

sorry guys I need to post a pic, I love pics