So to break some boredom of my own, here's a fun question for you all... Favorite kite size to fly (assuming the wind for it)? We'll break it down into

• Arcs
  
• Depower Foil
  
• Fixed Bridle
  
• LEI/On Water
  

I know the favorite kite and size varies with conditions, but I also know for myself I have my own favorites. Snow I've been on longest, followed by landboard, and am just starting my journeys with buggy and water. I realize activity done will definitely effect this some (as will my being in New Mexico, so normally dryer snow/not as deep powder for my main spots).

For fixed bridle I seem to love the 3m to 5m range. That nice middle range on speed/twitchiness vs the slow of huge kites and the super speed of some small stuff. I know this is somewhat forced by my normal wind conditions, but it's the size I always seem to enjoy the most.

Depower Foils/LEI(s) on ground, around 8-10m is my ideal size. Big enough for some float if I get air, small enough for good turning still, and able to kite loop easier. I don't fly arcs at all, and am too new on the water to have any opinions on that.

So how about the rest of you?

Ooooo... Fun

Never flown an Arc... put that on the list of things to do

Depower, limited experience. Loving the 10m i have so far, much more fun that my 5.5m more to come on this. Very little data

FB 5m, love the speed the kite still has, hasn't become a slow lumbering thing quite yet but still pulls HARD. Depends on wind of course, but that was always my go to.

LEI 8-10m were my go to, i seemed to gravitate towards 8's due to their quicker speed and turning BUT i also fly in Hood River where the wind is often kicking.

Really though, my favorite kite size to fly is the one that appropriately matches wind speed. Flying overpowered is sketch.

Quote: Originally posted by MotoFoo86

Really though, my favorite kite size to fly is the one that appropriately matches wind speed. Flying overpowered is sketch.

Yeah I definitely meant without being over/under powered and matched to wind. More if you could choose the wind (and subsequently your favorite kite).

I like your choices. Be interesting to see what ends up outliers. I'm guessing people with the want for air/jump time and height, where bigger kites give a bit more (while safer)

arc: only flown 13m but could tell it was a nice size for average winds
depower foil: Complicated as I have flown depower but not foil. I would say 6m single skin depower which roughly equates to 9-10 dp foil so they say
fixed bridle: mid ar 2-4 meter static and 2-4 meter nasa style fb for traction
lei: No experience

Depends, Kite speed can be a big factor in jump height. For example anyone megalooping is almost always doing it on a 10m or smaller and there's not question those guys are getting some MAJOR height.

I guess my point more was that unfortunately i end up on certain kites more than others due to prevailing winds. Those kites tend to end up to be my favorites just because i have so much time on them.

Certainly interesting to see what people say!

With those criteria i'm def sticking with the M8 10m. 10m north rebel. 6.5m toxic

I know Beamerbob will probably have my back on the montanas

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

arc: only flown 13m but could tell it was a nice size for average winds depower foil: Complicated as I have flown depower but not foil. I would say 6m single skin depower which roughly equates to 9-10 dp foil so they say fixed bridle: mid ar 2-4 meter static and 2-4 meter nasa style fb for traction lei: No experience

I knew I was forgetting something when I posted this. NASA Stars! I always just group the Peak/Peak 2 in with depower foils, despite realizing it's its own breed/category. Now the debate of whether to go back and edit the top post to add those separate or leave them in FB/Depower foils (anti-respectively) as I did.

Arcs: Nope - I don't fly them; that much nylon kinda' scares me. I've been knocked over by one and it was like being pushed over by a big pillow. :roll:
Depower: My (new) favourite in the buggy. 7m is my favourite for handling and parS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-n'ride; I can throw around the 5m a little faster, but it just doesn't have the same "smile effect".
FB: Now almost only for static... I have an orange 2m pansh that I keep in my car for any chance I get. In the bug, the 4m Core hits the sweet spot for me (but I also love the 3m Core for static).
LEI: Nope. Too much work and I don't do the water (unless I'm stuck in a puddle .

But overall, the best kite is the one that I happen to be flying at the time :wee:

Quote: Originally posted by volock

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre   arc: only flown 13m but could tell it was a nice size for average winds depower foil: Complicated as I have flown depower but not foil. I would say 6m single skin depower which roughly equates to 9-10 dp foil so they say fixed bridle: mid ar 2-4 meter static and 2-4 meter nasa style fb for traction lei: No experience I knew I was forgetting something when I posted this. NASA Stars! I always just group the Peak/Peak 2 in with depower foils, despite realizing it's its own breed/category. Now the debate of whether to go back and edit the top post to add those separate or leave them in FB/Depower foils (anti-respectively) as I did.

nah I like your categories. after all nasa is fixed bridle although rarely referred to in same category.

Quote: Originally posted by hiaguy

Arcs: Nope - I don't fly them; that much nylon kinda' scares me. I've been knocked over by one and it was like being pushed over by a big pillow. :roll: Depower: My (new) favourite in the buggy. 7m is my favourite for handling and parS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-n'ride; I can throw around the 5m a little faster, but it just doesn't have the same "smile effect". FB: Now almost only for static... I have an orange 2m pansh that I keep in my car for any chance I get. In the bug, the 4m Core hits the sweet spot for me (but I also love the 3m Core for static). LEI: Nope. Too much work and I don't do the water (unless I'm stuck in a puddle . But overall, the best kite is the one that I happen to be flying at the time :wee:

Howard, sounds like we have similar winds. my 4 meter twister hit the sweet spot for me in the buggy and 3 meter and below were almost exclusively static because I rarely had the wind for traction.

do you have a 5m and 7m lynx? what winds are your target for 7m? always curious of open cell ranges since I haven't flown one.

still curious about lei and buggy but too lazy to pump

Great topic!

Warning to newcomers! The best all round kite ISN'T the best 1st kite!

My favorite all round kite hands down in my 15m Synergy! 1st and foremost because I have so many hours on it that it feels like an extension of myself. A great kite is only a great kite if you have enough time together that you are one. I struggled with my timing learning to jump. Small foils, too small and fast. Large foils too slow, too little range. The Synergy seemed perfectly matched to my reflex speed. Soft skin kites seem to allow me 1/2 second to make corrections and cancel a bad move. The 15's sweet spot is exactly my favorite wind speeds. 10 - 20 kts.

10m seems a sweet size for depower foils.

Generally I have found that 5m is the most versatile size of FB foil. Small enough to spank around and create apparent wind and just big enough to get some air. If you are out for fun flying and not the power component then a 3m allows you a wider wind range.

All that said, I am getting to stage that my perfect day is a steady onshore ( or winter wind ) at about 10kts and my 18m Phanny or SA. I LOVE a big kite day when it doesn't include chasing sucker winds.

I agree this is a great subject as well.

When I flew FB, it was a 5m that usually had the largest smile factor, of course that could be different now as it has probably been 4 years since I flew FB while in a buggy.

Arcs, well my go to is usually my 18m Phantom, as it usually gets more fly time than any other kite based on winds alone, BUT, it's not until I bring out the 9m Phantom that I really start enjoying "Flying" my arcs. I can whip around the 18 pretty good, but the 9m really can dance when the winds are right and develop a huge amount of power.
I've never owned any LEI kites, but have had a few depower foils, including the 12m Ranger, that was a fun kite to fly for sure!

3m foil or 3.2m Nasa Star 3 in 15 - 18 knots. Perfect for me.

And my 4m Access XT is my fav depower - it's fast and zippy and responds instantly.

Arcs: 15-16m to keep it still playfull and being a one quiver kite. Good high ends and rock solid.

Depower Foil: 15m being a Flysurfer Speed3. Park n ride and again basically a o ne quiver kite. Not as playfull but gets me hight in lower wind.

Fixed bridle: Blade 6.5 on handles. Fast enough and heeps of fun. Getting height easy and when figuring 8 anyone can scud for miles.
Or a Sleddy. Just for the pure fun of it and being able to stand on a longboard and get that one dragging me and my son around on windy days. Also a good marker to findy spot on the beach when I drift away to far surfing.

Lei.....I would go for an Arc.

Note..i like to roll on my mountainboard. Kiteloops are not my thing.

Happens to be my FB 4m Jojo RM+...older racing kite.

It fits in a good wide wind range(~8 to 18+ mph) of the more steady winds I get to enjoy on the East coast of New England.

I also do a lot of jumping with it- even though it's only 4m. This adds to my liking it a lot.



If talking winter...? It might be different choice on snow and ice....

I get a lot of fun out of my PL Twister 5.6m. It may even have just a slightly bigger wind range -using on smooth very low friction ice...... to deep heavy snow.

Hard to commit. It's like picking a favorite child -That's not right!

Quote: Originally posted by skimtwashington

Happens to be my FB 4m Jojo RM+...older racing kite. It fits in a good wide wind range(~8 to 18+ mph) of the more steady winds I get to enjoy on the East coast of New England. I also do a lot of jumping with it- even though it's only 4m. This adds to my liking it a lot. If talking winter...? It might be different choice on snow and ice.... I get a lot of fun out of my PL Twister 5.6m. It may even have just a slightly bigger wind range -using on smooth very low friction ice...... to deep heavy snow. Hard to commit. It's like picking a favorite child -That's not right!

If you need to expand that JoJo Quiver to include a RM+ 5m in brand new condition, let me know!

This is a tough one.

Arc: 15m Phantom 2. The kite that literally saved my life and the one I will never sell. Followed very closely by the 12m F-arc.

Depowoed: 9m ozone Chrono. Followed closely by Flysurfer Peak 6m

FB: 3m Ozone Samurai. Followed by. 7m version.

LEI: Never flew one on water but the Peter Lynn Fury

Not to say that these are by any means the best of anything. But they are my favs.

Loving the variety so far, thanks everyone so far for sharing and keep it up! And the best kite is so much easier to answer than favorite, the best is whatever kite you have in the air to play with currently.

Quote: Originally posted by Feyd

This is a tough one. Arc: 15m Phantom 2. The kite that literally saved my life and the one I will never sell.

As I've never heard this story, care to share with us Feyd? I'm guessing breaking through ice, and it pulling you to safety.

by size i use formula to fit to mass.

1meter PA /10kg of body mass. at 92kg i need a projected area of 9.2m this would be a "12m " kite (+/- .5) and this works for one kite with a range of 10-25+mph so a 12/13m depends whatever design FS/PL/ tube c-, hybrid, delta, bow etc..

and this can be advanced as much .8m PA /10kg as skill shaves inefficiency away. style / current /choice of application / coniditions

i use a vareity of units i think 9 x 12m's in varying ages from new to heavily seasoned and in varying states of repair (including 11.5m ,11m,"13m").


..so, 12m is my favorite size to sail. fits me , fits conidition presentation

Quote: Originally posted by Feyd

Arc: 15m Phantom 2. The kite that literally saved my life

That is funny! When I read this, all I could think about was how my kites are mean and always try to kill me.
I want a kite that Is nice and looks after me!

Amazing the power you can get when you work an arc.
https://youtu.be/_yCfVu5jXEw

good one Feyd!

yep, watched that one before in horror and amazement.

I was thinking the situation of that video (I'd seen the video but not associated it with you). Amazing recovery, I'm not sure I'd ever have been cool headed enough to think of trying that. I freaked myself out plenty just punching through ice on a cow pond accidentally (and I skied the top of it without sinking as I had a lot of speed built up and it was small).

Nice!

Chris - glad you are still amongst us! Good cool headed reaction to what I'm sure were some harrowing moments. Ice has always been creepy exactly because of these sorts of situations. I grew up not to far from you in the Putney area of Southern Vermont and we did a lot of iceskating on Beaver Ponds as kids. Had to be darn careful about where their holes were and any other upwellings due to currents, springs, etc.

Now... on to kites! :D As a single-skinned devotee I have a more limited experience set, but have to say I have greatly enjoyed flying my Big Lady, the 12m Peak-2. It was the kite I really cut my teeth on in the buggy and I still get a big grin on my face when I get to ride under it.

My favorite size NASA STAR is probably my 8.5m. Lots of grunt, steady as a rock in a Park n' Ride mode, but still small enough to turn in a reasonable amount of time.

If I lived in a place with smooth wind like steady on-shore breezes I'm sure I'd have a completely different list of favorites!

19m Venom II - jank wind eater that can get my fat @ss in the air without critical redirect timing - the perfect "lazy man" kite.

I have no depow (Arc, Foil, or LEI) experience (except 1 or 2 sessions on a 12.5m Montana V), so I can't say much to that.

My 2 favorites have always been a 2.6m Viper S and a 4m Core (both PL of course). The 2.6m is just too fun, but the 4m Core has just always held a special place in my heart. It has always shined on Jekyll Island, but I crashed it and blew out some cells at JIBE 2013 and Markite took it home with him and repaired it for me. It came back to me as good as ever and won me my PB at JIBE 2014. Cores are really just splendid kites and there is that part of me that occasionally wishes that I still flew foils for that reason.

I have really enjoyed my Nasa Stars 3's, and so far I have had my BEST session with them on my 5.5m. Flown my 7m most and had a lot of fun recently with the 4m flying static.

I'd have to say the most buggy hours are on my 4 & 5m fixed bridle foils.

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

Quote: Originally posted by hiaguy   Arcs: Nope - I don't fly them; that much nylon kinda' scares me. I've been knocked over by one and it was like being pushed over by a big pillow. :roll: Depower: My (new) favourite in the buggy. 7m is my favourite for handling and parS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-n'ride; I can throw around the 5m a little faster, but it just doesn't have the same "smile effect". FB: Now almost only for static... I have an orange 2m pansh that I keep in my car for any chance I get. In the bug, the 4m Core hits the sweet spot for me (but I also love the 3m Core for static). LEI: Nope. Too much work and I don't do the water (unless I'm stuck in a puddle . But overall, the best kite is the one that I happen to be flying at the time :wee: Howard, sounds like we have similar winds. my 4 meter twister hit the sweet spot for me in the buggy and 3 meter and below were almost exclusively static because I rarely had the wind for traction. do you have a 5m and 7m lynx? what winds are your target for 7m? always curious of open cell ranges since I haven't flown one. still curious about lei and buggy but too lazy to pump

Hey Sean (sorry about the delay),

I'm always impressed by you guys that can say that "X" kite is prefect in "Y" wind - I can't do it. I look outside to see if the trees are moving. If they are, I know there's a chance that there's enough wind at my local park.

How much wind? I don't know... I feel the wind, and decide what size to put up - generally the smallest that I thinS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-ll stay up with enough power to move me. "janky" generally describes a normal day; from there it goes downhill. There are very few days at home that have light enough gusts to let me feel comfortable with my FBs now (maybe it's old age?), hence the move to the DP Lynx'. Typically, gusts are 2.5 to 3 times base wind speed.

I have the 5,7,9 & 11. For sure, there's a lot of overlap, but I'm not a fan of flying overpowered and since trimming in the kite also increases its speed - I wind up worrying about setting up for the next turn. The 7m gets the most air time locally. It's got to be pretty windy for me to pull out the 5m, but when I do, I still feel safer than when I pull out a small foil.

I don't have a wind meter, and the readings that I get from sites and apps really don't seem to be accurate around here (when Windfinder says 8mph gusting to 15mph, and my 11m won't stay in the air, I'm pretty sure it's wrong) so I just pay attention to gust sizes.

When I'm at WBB I ask Rich, Rian, or any of the "more talented than me" pilots (basically - everyone else) what he/they suggest, then I step down a size :o

Sorry I can't directly answer your question, but come on over and try 'em out!

Thanks Howard, that sounds exactly like my conditions and power threshold. I'm only guessing when I talk wind speeds because just like you described, windfinder is almost never accurate. Usually it seems like it's higher than actual wind like your example. I just use instinct to decide which kite to fly as well. sounds like the 7 keeps you moving in a nice breeze but still handles the higher gusts well.