Hello All,
I am 72 kg and been kiting since 1997 (had experience with a lot of foil kites etc...).
I travel around 15/20 times a year by plane to kitesurf. Many times i had issue with going on a kite trip and had 8 to 12 kts for couple of day.
So i am looking now for a kite that could allow me to ride in those condition and save a kite trip.
My board is 136 x 42, and getting a bigger board is not an option due to weight restriction in the region i am travelling in.
I'd like to ask you do you think the 18 or 15m would be the best ?
I am hearing mix feeling about it, some are saying the 18m is the best and that they never use their 15m but instead switch to 11m as the 18m is so great for floaty jump with big wind range.
Some other say the most optimal kite in the sonic range is the 15m as it's faster and lighter and that i would only gain 1 kts if i take the 18m.
What would be your opinion on that ?
thx a lot
Select to expand quoteKamikuza said..
For you I vote 15.
Good choice, avoiding the Ozone offerings...
Thx you for your comment ;) What motivate it though ? 18 Being to slow or ?
Select to expand quoteflirferler said..
Hello All,
I am 72 kg and been kiting since 1997 (had experience with a lot of foil kites etc...).
I travel around 15/20 times a year by plane to kitesurf. Many times i had issue with going on a kite trip and had 8 to 12 kts for couple of day.
So i am looking now for a kite that could allow me to ride in those condition and save a kite trip.
My board is 136 x 42, and getting a bigger board is not an option due to weight restriction in the region i am travelling in.
I'd like to ask you do you think the 18 or 15m would be the best ?
I am hearing mix feeling about it, some are saying the 18m is the best and that they never use their 15m but instead switch to 11m as the 18m is so great for floaty jump with big wind range.
Some other say the most optimal kite in the sonic range is the 15m as it's faster and lighter and that i would only gain 1 kts if i take the 18m.
What would be your opinion on that ?
thx a lot
Hi,
what wind range do you want to cover.The 18m is seriously powerful but manageable with the 21m lines.
Select to expand quoteKamikuza said...
For you I vote 15.
Good choice, avoiding the Ozone offerings...
nasty.....
I want to cover the 9 to 15 kts range...
Then i take my 12m tube kite which is usually very good for that wind.
thx for your opinion !
Select to expand quoteKamikuza said..
Good choice, avoiding the Ozone offerings...
Why? Have you ever flown one? Or does your dislike for the Aus Ozone distributor cloud your vision?
Select to expand quotePlummet said..Kamikuza said..
Good choice, avoiding the Ozone offerings...
Why? Have you ever flown one? Or does your dislike for the Aus Ozone distributor cloud your vision?
Can we focus on my question please and not about Ozone pls ;) thx
I fly a no name 18m foil and I am 100kg and need a big surfboard to get near 8 knots.
I think an 18m with your TT will do the job.
It's pretty hard to tell the exact wind speed but I do weigh about 65kg and my 15m chrono + 140x42 cm TT gets me going in winds around 10 knots (maybe bit higher). A larger TT or surfboard would push that limit further down. To be fair, I had nil experience flying foils before I got the chrono. These large kites are pretty slow and their wind range is quite limited, even more with the 18m. Is there any chance to test fly one of these kited to get a feeling for the turning speed?
Btw. have you ever thought about getting a large split TT, means something like this:
www.kitelementshop.com/
Select to expand quoteflirferler said..Plummet said..Kamikuza said..
Good choice, avoiding the Ozone offerings...
Why? Have you ever flown one? Or does your dislike for the Aus Ozone distributor cloud your vision?
Can we focus on my question please and not about Ozone pls ;) thx
15m
I wish I was 20 kg lighter !! 72 kg ?? a 42cm board has a bit of width - how flat is it?? - given you are aiming at 8 to 12 knots on that width of board and your weight I would be thinking of a 15m - but then Ive never flown a flysurfer foil .
At my weight with an apparently redundant Spleene X19 Im feeling super powered at 12 knots - if the Flysurfers are so much better then an 18 for your weight would be OTT ??
Just my 2CW ......
Do yourself a favour... Look past any brand distractions you might have for just a moment & try a chrono v2.
We had the first of the chrono v2 arrive in Perth this weekend, a few lads got to fly the 11m. Very suprising how different it is to chrono v1 or any of the others around atm. Firstly the bridles, you'll likley snap your spine before your bridle, its been built bullet proof!!
Some comments from non sponsored local lads, "felt like and handled like a inflatable", " was like a well trained puppy, it just sat their ready when you are and very eager to please"
The shape is unlike the r1, and very different to the f-one or sonic. Also it fly alot more off the rear bridle sets, even when depowered making it alot more stable and providing alot more feed-back to the rider. It just parks and doesnt need constant attention.
Get hold of a 15m for the wind range you looking at, i'll bet you a carton of your favourite flavour you'll come off the water stoked.
Unless you a hardcore racer, and spending your own money, best stick with the 15m in any of the brands and get a touch longer lines. The larger sizes are alot more technical and yes much slower.
For TT, you'll be along way off from having a playful kite you can throw around if you opt for a 18m
Select to expand quoteflirferler said..
I want to cover the 9 to 15 kts range...
Then i take my 12m tube kite which is usually very good for that wind.
thx for your opinion !
For that range, for your weight, 15. I was impressed at 16 knots on the 18 and I weigh a lot more than you.
too late flysurfing, changing your name now to flirferler, we still know its you
seems you have been busy... and going at it multilingual, impressive
www.tubelesskite.net/t7758-flysurfer-sonic-15-ou-18m-pour-le-kitesurf-en-tt
Select to expand quotePlummet said..Kamikuza said..
Good choice, avoiding the Ozone offerings...
Why? Have you ever flown one? Or does your dislike for the Aus Ozone distributor cloud your vision?
Got up close and personal this week.
WTF =
Covered vents... Tough to prefill on the beach, makes for hairy launches. Seriously, waht, why?
No adjustable mixer.
No LCLs.
Terrible tip tucks and tangles if you're not right on it when over-flying or gusts... so like my Speed2. And compared with the ease and polish of the Sonic, I'd pay little more than Pansh prices for it; they've got some catching up to do IMO.
Oh, Chrono v1 BTW. Or at least, I assume v1 and not v2. Maybe the R1 or the v2 is better...
Select to expand quoteINTHELOOP said..
Hi,
what wind range do you want to cover.The 18m is seriously powerful but manageable with the 21m lines.
I thought they were too short at first, and wanted 6m extensions but apart from needing to be careful looping it, I came to decide they're ok.
Select to expand quoteMaxVMGRacing said..
Final suggestion would be to stick to trolling one site at a time...
It's called "casting a wide net and getting as much input as you can to make the best decision". I'll take your demo and your bet, and that crate of my favorite... 
PS. charge your phone, eh.
Select to expand quoteKamikuza said..
MaxVMGRacing said..
Final suggestion would be to stick to trolling one site at a time...
I'll take your demo and your bet, and that crate of my favorite...
PS. charge your phone, eh.
Game on, no mixer or LCL (tbh not sure what that is ) but i feel confident my best is safe 
On a seperate note, 18m on 21m lines... WOW! the buggy lads been saying the same to go much shorter, but hadnt considered 21m.... bit anxious to try but very interest to see how it goes.
Select to expand quoteMaxVMGRacing said..Kamikuza said..
MaxVMGRacing said..
Final suggestion would be to stick to trolling one site at a time...
I'll take your demo and your bet, and that crate of my favorite...
PS. charge your phone, eh.
Game on, no mixer or LCL but i feel confident my best is safe
On a seperate note, 18m on 21m lines... WOW! the buggy lads been saying the same to go much shorter, but hadnt considered 21m.... bit anxious to try but very interest to see how it goes.
It is -- unless I get over to WA. Sydney is likely, Perth not so much. As I said, overall polish isn't up to FS standard, but I haven't looked at prices -- that may be the reasoneople are impressed I vaguely recall the difference to Edge 19 was not a lot.
Stock FS lines are 21m but the S3 21 came with 6m extensions... and all the bridles, which is another 3m IIRC. The issue with the 21 on short lines is that you almost have to loop from the top of the window or it'll touch down, despite being faster to react. The Sonic 18 is a little faster in the turn and very fast across the window, so I didn't think the extra length was needed after all.
Select to expand quoteKamikuza said..MaxVMGRacing said..
Final suggestion would be to stick to trolling one site at a time...
It's called "casting a wide net and getting as much input as you can to make the best decision". I'll take your demo and your bet, and that crate of my favorite...
PS. charge your phone, eh.
Exactly :) Kiteforum is one place here seems to get a lot of people with advice about Foils :)
Why not take a look at a hydrafoil? Instead of a super large kite, get a lightwind board.
Select to expand quotehornedsquirrel said..
Why not take a look at a hydrafoil? Instead of a super large kite, get a lightwind board.
hello,
the issue is i travel a lot and can't afford to take 2 boards on the plane ;(
Select to expand quoteflirferler said..hornedsquirrel said..
Why not take a look at a hydrafoil? Instead of a super large kite, get a lightwind board.
hello,
the issue is i travel a lot and can't afford to take 2 boards on the plane ;(
Ah im sorry, Read to quick through your opening post
Select to expand quoteflirferler said..
I want to cover the 9 to 15 kts range...
Then i take my 12m tube kite which is usually very good for that wind.
thx for your opinion !
I would try to increase the size Gap to your 12m as much as possible and around 10knots you can never have enough power.
I suggest to go with the 18m Sonic and get the Racebar which will increase your top end handling/ range. They all come with 21m lines. I would add 4m line extensions for your sub 10knots days to get a lot of power. The Sonic 18m is incredibly powerful but still the quickest 18m parafoil i have flown.
Select to expand quoteKamikuza said..INTHELOOP said..
Hi,
what wind range do you want to cover.The 18m is seriously powerful but manageable with the 21m lines.
I thought they were too short at first, and wanted 6m extensions but apart from needing to be careful looping it, I came to decide they're ok.
Yes it really depends what you want to do with the kite. The 21m lines make the kite feel more like a 15 or even a 12m. I could not believe how snappy the 18m Sonic turned when i 1st tried it on the 21m lines.
Select to expand quoteflirferler said..
I can't find much feedback about the Chrono V2 then is there big changes with it ?
Cheers
Chrono V2 was only launched 2 weeks ago, the first orders only starting to arrive to customers now.
Very big changes. New shape, new cell count, new design features, new bridle.
Select to expand quoteINTHELOOP said..
The 21m lines make the kite feel more like a 15 or even a 12m.
I wouldnot go that far but certainly, nothing like the "truck in the right hand lane on the highway" of the Speed3 21.
