How accurate are the recommended wind strength for kites given by the manufacturers?
For example for my kite the recommended wind strengths is 14 knots to about 23, but from experience its not worth riding until its about 17 knots and I am same weight that the recommendations are based on.
It makes it hard to choose a new kite purely based on the brochure.
My experience is that they underestimate. So 14-23 usually means 17 -28.
Off course they are nut publishing the sweet zones. That is different again.
Gfly, think of this as a guideline...
The manufacturer's wind range for my 9m is 13-30 knots. I've used the 9m many times in 35 knots and in 10 knots as well (on a hydrofoil board, landboard and snow kiting). So in my case my wind range is wider than what they recommend. Of course there is no way I can enjoy a 13 knots session on a regular twin tip with my 9m and for some people 30 knots on a 9m is just crazy overpowered...
Of course it's part of marketing, many manufacturers will give a wide wind range. Skill level, wind quality/consistency, wind density (temperature), board type, board size, deep water/flat water, water current, etc. are some of the many factors that will have some influence on the wind range of your kite.
Skill level is probably the most relevant factor, I'll often be kiting upwind and doing tricks in 15 knots on a 12m where other kiters with same sizes, same weight, etc. are just loosing ground. If you spend lots of time kiting in low winds, over the years you will see you can enjoy kiting in a few knots below what you initially thought was your ''minimum wind''.
A lot of kiters have a very ''mathematical'' perception of kiting, i.e. the wind is blowing exactly that much so I have to have exactly that size, etc. Even wind readings can be somewhat inaccurate and typically represent the average wind over a 15 minutes time frame.
Chrisitan
As above ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Their testing is not done by Noob kiters - who just grab a handfull, backstall and sledge the board...
An Experienced Kiter - is not instantly a capable of producing amazing bottom end results - You need Light wind big kite experience... its different.
Obviously you cant demo - so next best bet is to look up the previous years reviews 'around the world' and aim your kiteable range in the middle ground.
Understandably - nothing worse than buying a Lemon kite all talked up 
The problem is not the quoted wind range of the kite it is the inability of determining the actual wind strength. I constantly hear or read of people kiting 35 knots when the actual local wind strengths are probably closer to 25 knots. Seems to make some folk feel more macho I suppose...
there re is also a very distinct difference of being able to use a kite in certain wind ranges and actually really enjoyed it, how often have you heard "I kite with my 12m in 30 knots all the time" Ok but that would have been crap to someone using their 7m...
^ as above, but there are also other factors, humidity, temp, tide, board size, chop etc.
Select to expand quotePlummet said...
My experience is that they underestimate. So 14-23 usually means 17 -28.
It doesn't make sense for them NOT to underestimate. You have to remember they are designing and manufacturing a product that has, and will, continue to cause serious injuries and death.
My 12m Core is powered nicely in 25-30 knots but there is no way that's safe for the average kiter. Hence why they can only recommend 10-24.
