I buggy on the beach around clusters of big nasty jagged volcanic rocks. I love my 7m frenzy 06, but it is all stretched out. So...I am looking for a new 7m frenzy, 10 manta, or even a new access 6m(?) to replace it. More margin for error while sliding towards the rocks of doom fully depowered would be nice. I am not into getting air (I can do that on the water). Any advice would be helpful thanks. Skill level is very high with 3 solid years of experience.

If you're not looking for air and are after something a bit more forgiving, I'd go for the Access, maybe an 8m instead of a 6m though. Another option would be to get an arc. The auto-zenith could be useful to avoid putting your kite into the rocks...

Thanks Maven,

I am more concerned about putting me in the rocks than my kite.

Would a manta not be more forgiving than a frenzy? I read in a review that it pulls you more forward than a frenzy so would cause less sliding sideways. I understand that the new manta 3 has really good depower.

Doesn't an access have more pull per size than a frenzy?

Hmmm... If it's side pull specifically that worries you, you might well be right. I wouldn't describe a Manta as more forgiving (not after what mine has done to me once or twice :D), but because it should sit a bit further forward in the window you should end up with less side pull. On the other hand, it's a higher lift profile and that should increase side pull... At least you've got enough experience that I'm not too worried about you killing yourself with a Manta :P.

Which one do you think would have a quicker reaction time...10m manta or 8m access?

Unfortunately, I'm still waiting on my Access XT's So I simply don't have a comparison. I do think that the 7m Frenzy turns faster than the 8m Manta. I'd have to imagine that the 8m Access should turn faster. The XT changed to double pulleys from the single pulley system that would be on your Access2, that should help. I might be tempted to wait for the 2011 Access XT though, they're putting the trim strap back.

Thanks, ya I think I will wait if I get the access.

Another factor I didn't mention before is that the prevailing wind at my beach here is angled at about 45 degrees side-onshore so I have to tack alot on the upwind run. The manta would allow me to edge upwind much more steeply and tack less. Not to mention the much larger wind range of the manta. Hmmm.

I just talked to a guy at tahoe mountain sports about this and we came to the same conclusion that an 8m access would likely be best for me now. They have advanced so much in the last few years that it sounds like it would probably be similar to my 7m frenzy, but even better in a lot of ways. The '11s come out in september though so now the question is can I wait that long.