Does anyone know if the 2013 wind ranges are the same as the 2015 kites? I'm looking at getting a 2013 12m Noise pro and am wondering if it's the same wind range as the 2015 current model (ie: 8-12 knots).
Would love to be sure before I pick it up if anyone can help out. :)
EDIT: And while I'm at it, is anyone able to comment on any of the changes in performance between the earlier and current models?
I have a 2013 10m noise pro and weigh 105kgs I get a useable wind range of about 15 to 28 knots when used with a twin tip and a surfboard but the comfortable or ideal range for me is more like 18 to 22
I can't comment on the 12m but 8 to 12 knots seems a bit unrealistic to me
Yeah, that's what I'm a little concerned about. They've got their 2015, 12m up on their website as 8-18 knots though. I'm 83 kgs. So keen to find out if:
a) People have found the 12s actually OK in that range. And,
b) whether the 2013 has the same low range (8 knots) as the 2015.
I got a Cabrinha 11m drifter in 2014, then they increased the bottom end of the same kite a knot and a half or so the following year. Doh!
I am around 85kgs and have the Noise Pro 12m and ride a surfboard. I would say the usable wind range for me is maybe 12-20kn. But around 12kn, there's some walking involved. I really don't see how 8-12kn fits into the "usable" part of the wind range, but maybe someone more skilled than I can eke a few extra knots of wind range out of it.
If the 2013 version is the Noise "classic", then that thing is a different kite. Its more like a 14m and will give you an extra knot or 2 on the low end. But from my experience, the 12m Noise classic is a "big guy's" kite. At your weight you may find that kind a real handful whenever the wind starts getting up to and over 15kn. I really struggled with that kite and was so much happier when I downsized to the 10m Noise classic at the time.
I think if you want to kite down near 8-12kn, you really need to find a dedicated low wind kite. I don't think any normal kite flies ok in that wind range.
Thanks guys, helpful stuff. I think it might be a Noise Classic on looking a bit more carefully. Looks to be a 5 strut, I gather they removed the wingtips and went with 3 struts in 2014??? I didn't actually realise there were two different kinds of Noise!
Not necessarily looking for something that actually works in wind as low as 8, was just going off what the BWC site says for the 2015 noise pros. My largest wave kite atm is an 11m Cabrinha drifter and that doesn't get going until 15 knots. Quite keen to get something I can use for waves in lower wind. Kinda wondering if I might be better off with another 14m drifter. But then the BWC stuff says you should go 2m smaller than you'd normally use in other kites which would seem to make it equivalent...
Where I live the swell is usually big, especially when it's really onshore and those light wind days are often smaller. I've missed a few good days on the surfboard when the waves were looking quite fun, we get quite a few days in summer where the sea breeze gets it to around 11-15 knots. Lower wind wave kite I'm hoping will = more days I can get out back rather than surfing munty reforms!
8 knots? AFAIK you could only do that on a foil kite or if you're like 50kgs.
I have the 2013 Noise Classic 12m and am your weight. I have not had any success in sub 15 knots with it, but I am just about to commit to a light wind board to open up the 12-15 knot range hopefully with it and add extension lines. I use the 12m all the way up to like 22knots (with a bit of depower) on a TT.
At about 25knots I am overpowered on it, but still in control. At that wind speed, I usually use my 9m.
Interesting. Sounds like a similar 15knots + I'm getting on my 11! Went ahead and grabbed the BWS anyways, hopefully will give me more bottom end than the 11m drifter. Can't go wrong getting a new kite (albeit a 2013 model) and bar for $550 imo!
Thanks again for the posts people. :)
with the right board you will get below 15knots and should get better low end than your 11 drifter, the 12m noise classic seemed like a 14m to me and had pretty good low end I would have had it out at about 12 knots on a decent light wind surfboard and I am 105kgs. It is a bit of a tractor but it works pretty well as a low wind surf kite
That's what I'm hoping. Not so much the tractor bit as much as getting it out in 11 or so knots at the bottom end. :) I'm presently using one of my old 6'2" surfboards for kiting, 29.5 litres of foam so should be relatively floaty given the small epoxies I see some people kiting on. Cheers!
Hopefully, this is relevant... I only have smaller BWS Noise kites, but have recently purchased a new BWS Æneema 13m and loving it. My previous similar sized kite was a 2014 Cabrinha Switchblade 12m and this was my go-to kite for the gentle summer breezes, 95% wave riding. The Æneema has better low end than the Cab, and is more stable in the light winds. I also tried it out at the top end (guessing ~20knots) when most riders were on 10m kites, and while not ideal for wave riding, the Æneema was quite happy in those conditions - was great for tricks.
I went out yesterday in conditions that I would not usually consider (just as a trial) and was surprised that I could stay upwind - local wind readings were averaging 10 knots but gusting to 15 knots (see attached image: between 14:00 and 15:00). I am 85kg riding a 5'8" surfboard. No other kites out - so it had to have been light!
I did kind of always think the 12m noise classic was a bit heavy to be a real light wind kite I imagine the new aeneema would be pretty epic.
One issue I had with the 12m noise Classic was that sometimes when It crashed in low wind, especially out on the edge of the window, one of the wing tips would fold down on top of the rest of the kite and make it very difficult to relaunch, it wasn't a tangle issue but you would need to start bringing it around to the other side of the window til it caught enough air for the wingtip to lift off. if this happens just keep pulling on the opposite side as the folded wingtip until it comes around. other than that relaunch was excellent
Agree with Tarakiter. In lighter winds am enjoying the 11m BWS Aeneema much more than my 12m or 10m Noise Pros, which I felt were best at their mid to upper range and when conditions were on for some surf. Not tested back to back, but this is my impression after a bunch of lighterwind strapless sessions (<18 kts), having sailed NPs for a few years :
- a touch extra upwind performance (it sits further forward) - in fact, shooting upwind is a joy
- better turning (Ive got caught out a few times in adjusting from the NP, the Aeneema seems to be ready for you at the end of turns a few seconds earlier, for the same effort)
- a bit more power - I dont seem to dive it so much to get going when light
- still great drfit and steady, I havnt tested it much on big waves, but seems good on the smaller stuff and on the beach I can walk downwind towards it more or less as well as my NP and Cloud.
Also my kids are loving learning to kite on the Aeneema - the 'sheet and go' style is good for them, and it seems to relaunch a touch quicker than the NP as the edges are slightly more drawn back. With the simple BWS bar and its finger friendly thick lines, its an allround class set up for having fun on the beach I recon.
This all makes my 11m Aeneema a really nice and versatile lighter wind option. Looks smart in the sky too. Havnt had the smaller sizes out yet - love the 8 or 6m NP when its on, so cant wait to compare. If the light wind around me continues and the kids keep pinching the 11m, I could imagine getting the 13m and not fear it being a 'slow truck' at all.
Bit late to the party, but will throw in my 2 cents anyway. I just turned over my quiver of Noise Classics to Noise Pro.
The BWS designer described the 12m Noise as a "big guy kite" and told me it had too much power for me at 75kg. It is big heavy beast with lots of power, more like a 13m or 14m. I used it as my light wind kite ... could get it flying at 8 kts, could plane at 10kts with a surfboard, though probably not getting upwind. But at 12kts you're surfing. One thing to be careful of though...for me 15kts was strict maximum, beyond that I am getting to the beach quick. At 18-20kt, I could barely hold it down to land safely. So be aware and be careful!
Now, a question for the others...I have moved on to 2015 Noise Pros. First session with my 10m, in variable 16-22kt wind or thereabouts...a gusty ugly day. A squall came through with 30kts and I had to punch out ... weird thing is, the kite kept flying on the one front line. Not a lot of power, but enough to be a bit of a tug of war to reel it in. Is that because of being massively over powered? Or is the single line flagging behave differently with these noise pros? (and sorry for thread hijack ;-)
Cheers for the more info. And on the aneema as well. Might keep an eye out for some late season ones if they pop up on trademe. Assuming the wife doesn't divorce me on the fourth kite I just got. Lol, she couldn't understand the explanation for why I needed two 12s. One is for waves the other one is for freestyle. What's more simple than that???
All good on the thread hijack juan. Really helpful post for my original question too. :)
A couple of updates - The 12m BWS (2013) Noise gets pretty mental at wind topping at 22 knots. At 83 kgs I could still land it on the beach on my own OK but forget about laying in any kind of bottom turn, the kite just wants to drag you to the beach, lol good times.
Also, it's OK-ish for me in 11 knots+ (a couple of days later). Swell was overhead on the sets so probably wouldn't have been enough power if it was big and surging up the beach. Did end up crashing it out back when the wind dropped though and swimming in attached by a single bridle line after tripping my quick release.
So within two days I got to test it right at the top end and the bottom end. There was also a dude out yesterday on the low wind day on a 13 Aneema who was getting along similarly to myself although he ended up further down the beach than me, and more quickly. He looked to have a few more pies on him though...
