Recommendations on a good light wind kite for foiling?something to get going in 10 knots,not interested in a foil kite just yet..thinking like a 15m contra or zephyr.....any other taughts??
Hi
Just got myself Ocean Rodeo 10m and 14.5 Flites for foiling.. from Nigel @ eastcoastkitesurfing.com.au
I am very pleased with the kites and Nigel's service...
I am 95 Kg,, the 14.5 on long lines goes pretty low, and turns well for a kite of that size.
The 10 is my preferred foiling kite, fast turning, light good drift and relaunch.
I would think for less corpulent riders (say more like 75kg) the 10 would be all you need unless you want to press the ultra low end.
(PS. I got the run-out 2015 10m with a bar for ~$1100 all new - I think he still has another)...
Check them out, but they are what I went to after searching with the same requirements as you.
Cheers
Paul
BRM Cloud... will fly in almost nothing, drifts well (something very handy in light wind foiling) and they turn fast (compared to an equivalent LEI or foil).
Problem with the edge is that it's damn hard if not impossible to relaunch in 10 knots.
Select to expand quotePlummet said...
Problem with the edge is that it's damn hard if not impossible to relaunch in 10 knots.
As people get too hasty in light winds
The kite has to be teased, no kites that great at 10 or sub 10 knts imho
Plenty of times I've seen a kite prematurely relaunched prior to fully making its way fully to the edge of the window , then being too aggressive instead of being patient,
Never had a drama with launching my edges but agree they certainly ain't automatic
Drop a line to the Perth race crew
They'd be the guys to give advice especially when it comes to race/ foil specific advice
Select to expand quotespeedy87 said..
Recommendations on a good light wind kite for foiling?something to get going in 10 knots,not interested in a foil kite just yet..thinking like a 15m contra or zephyr.....any other taughts??
Unless you're looking at being super powered and racing, you don't need a 15m kite to foil in 10 knots. A 10 to 12m kite will do the trick provided you have very good light wind flying skills. Long lines really do help, thin lines help too. Remember that bigger kites are heavier and slower, which can make it more difficult to get going.
in around 10 knots and deep water/open ocean, you'd be lucky to relaunch any kite, so the main focus is to avoid dropping the kite and again rely on your light wind skills + board skills to avoid stalling it or dropping it. In 10 knots a wet kite will fly like crap anyhow, so keeping it dry is another priority.
Kites will less struts are a good light wind option, but not necessary. I use a 5 strut 12m kite +35 m lines in 7 to 10 knots for foiling and it does the trick really well. Around 12knots I start be overpowered on this setup and have to change for normal lines and at more than 12 knots, the 9m works better.
When you're foiling, if you have enough power to water start, your kite is big enough.
Christian
