Hi All,
I'm thinking about replacing my 07 15m ozone instinct sport for a big light wind kite. Am thinking of something about 17 meters. The other kites i fly are 9 and 12 helixes and there isn't much difference in power between the helix 12 and ozone 15. The Ozone has a little bit more bottom end but not much.
I want the gruntiest kite for light wind so I can be as powered up as possible in 10 knots. We get lots of 10 knots in Hervey Bay.
Cheers
A 15m slingshot Link filled with helium and rigged with 40 metre line extensions using a 2.4mtr bar so you can still turn it
then ride a sup board with outriggers attached
(or move from pensioner town hervey bay)
Try the 17m Best Tabou. You wont be disappointed. I can send a demo up if required. PM me for details.
The gruntiest light wind kite we've flown are the 19m Flysurfers... But in the 17m Inflatables we've flown all the big ones, and heres what I think.
The one with MOST low end is the Core XR 17m Light wind. It turns slower than the others but is easy to fly as well. It has the worst top end though, 17 knots and you'll be hanging on for dear life due to the short (SUPER short) bar throw.
I Don't know your weight, but say you're 80kgs, This will get you going comfortably with little jumps in 10 knots. RRP: $2257
The 2011 Ozone Zephyr is much faster to fly, as well as turn and is the easiest to relaunch of the lot. It's great fun and i've loved flying our the last few weeks.
You'll be riding back and forward, but not jumping in 10 knots. RRP: $2299
The Best Tabou is almost exactly the same as the 2010 Zephyr. Flys quite slow through the window and suffers from a short bar throw. You'll need 11 or 12 knots to be comfy. RRP: $2248
The 2010 Zephyr is the same as the Tabou above - flys slow through the window and needs a longer bar throw. (Which they've fixed along with everything else in 2011) Like the Tabou - you need 11 or 12 knots to be comfy @ 80kgs on a normal board. RRP: $2199 - but can be found used now for between $1000 and $1500
Got the 17m core xr. Works well in 13-14kts in the surf on a 5'7". I'm 90kg and was hoping for it to get me out in a bit liter. That price is way over the top. Ring around.
Here's another vote for the flysurfers. But the best bang for buck is to get a BIG flat board. Gives you an extra 3-4 knots of advantage.
If money is no object get the 21m flysurfer speed 3. You'll be pulling huge slow motion jumps at 10kn.
mike
Mate forget the rest and go for the best,17m Griffin Argo,got one in the other week and it pulls like a mack truck on steroids,and it loops like a dream, prob beats the comp on price by a country mile ,give your local Griffin dealer a yell and get a demo,its one sweet ride,i was out on it in 10 knots rockin on my 130 tt no worries.
Actually the 19mtr Speed 2 is better, by about 1-2 knots at the low end. Seems to be why they brought out a 21 mtr as they lost a bit of the bottom end with the 3 but gained top end.
Have ridden the 011 zeph nice kite but i found it a little soft and slow to loop,the 17 Argo is also a Delta so fast easy relaunch and quicker in the loops,havent tested the top end yet though,but tons of bar throw and miles of depower.
Argo 17m, can kite loop it, easy relaunch, and a decent price, can head out, smack a wave kite loop and land on the same wave, and un hook, I am using this from 10 knots, also decent top end and good bar travel for de power and under $1600.
Thats my fav light wind kite, I got tired of the crap Northern Beaches wind so wanted a fast turning 17m wave kite. No info online yet but ready to order. Demo on the Northern Beaches.
Will get some vid
Just back from Kitestock, light winds, Friday for a couple of hours the only kite going was a 17m Best Tabou on long lines and I would swear blind it was no more than 5 knots, plenty of kiters on the beach to witness that, never flown big kites before (I live in Geraldton) but amazing to kite when the water was still glassy, nice and light on the bar and turns well, impressive!!
thanks for the input. I'm pretty heavy about 98kg's at the moment. Mind you I fly the same size kites in same conditions as guys 20 kg's lighter than me - I think my underground 142 has a lot to do with it.
Gee that best tabau sounds good - I flew a best a year ago and it flew nice although I think it didn't have enough bar throw. That's one thing I love about the naish's you've got as much throw as you like.
Wonder how the best tabau would fly with a naish bar and lines as I have one spare. Are they 1:1 on the bar?
Glenno, have you tried riding a big fat& wide surfboard? I recon something like a fish 5'10 and 22" wide would make a world of difference and much cheaper than buying a big kite. If you want to spend a bit more on a board I recon a Firewire sweet patato 5'10 would get you going in 10 knots with your current kite easy http://www.firewiresurfboards.com/quiver_boards.php?boardid=sweet_potato
you tossers who red thumbed me know I'm right
you tossers who think there is such a thing as lightwind kitesurfing....
...HAHAHAHAHA, you bunch of tossers
(17mtr kites are for fatties who can't get going on 12s' in 20kts)
Hi Glenno,
There are a few big kites on the market, and there is no definitive kite that will tick everyone's boxes.
Riding style, board size and model, wind conditions and also body weight make up the cocktail that gives you the best idea to what kite suits a particular rider.
There is no one kite that is perfect for all riders. I sell Core Riot XR LW's and also Ozone Zephyrs. Both are 17m's and both are excellent kites, both are very different, depending on your requirements either may suit you.
Tips for buying a big kite (or any kite for that matter).
1. Find someone who can offer you more than one option
2. Find someone who actually knows what they are talking about
3. Find someone who can back up their options with demo's
4. Demo the kites in the wind strength you want to fly in, on the board you wish to ride on in the style you want to ride in. That way you'll know what works and what is Hype and BS and what is real. 
DM
Again, I have to say the BWS Noise, doesn't matter which size, they all pull like a train and turn like a butterfly. The bar is epic too, so well made. Whilst kiting I looked at my bar and had a multiple orgasm; This actually hindered my kiting performance but increased my enjoyment.
I'm on the opposite side. I'm ~70Kg, and I get out in 8-9 knots average using a Griffin Argo 13.5 with long lines (30-40 m) and a race-board. I can tell you that it's really a good experience being on the water looking at all the kiters waiting on the sand...
This year, with new even bigger race boards and bigger kites of all gears it seems that race series will be launched with really low wind averages, and in this cases having a big light wind kite could be an important advantage.
I'm thinking on a 17m Argo, so I can train more often on the water (sure daily in summer and maybe near to it in spring) , and beat the competitors in low wind series, but what about top end? Any experience? With the 13.5 I have no problem in 20 knots even with 30 m lines. New race limitation is 3 kites and one board by competition.
What about comparing the 13.5 with long lines with the 17 with shorter ones?
Thanks,
Alex
^^^^^
NOOOOO, Meerkat, you are being intolerent and silly, everyone should get into light wind kiting course racing and dangle flicks.
Since kiting with wind over 20 knots is dangerous and the water may be choppy, I will volonteer as a daredevil to only go out in those conditions.
See you out there Meerkat
Meerkat, I understand your oppinion, because I must recognise that I thougt the same since I tried kite-racing with proper kite and board and take part in some racing courses. Now I'm a kite-racing addict, trying everyday to get more upwind angle, more speed, kiting in lower end and making every time longer trips (10-15 km upwind to return later in donwind).
Try it with some kite mates having a goal and all will change.
Otherway, all of us prefer better wind conditions, but I prefer kiting to other sports, even in low wind.
In all cases, ... you decide, ... you could seat on the sand or doing anything else in light wind... or being in the water. It's up to you.
Was out on my 13.5 argo the other day on my 141x43 tt in 9-11 knots (95kg) was managing the upwind ok but one of the other guys (110kg) was on the 17 argo and wet past me on the outside upwind like i was parked,grabbed the 17 and went for a run and ended up grabbing my 131x41 FR and was riding quicker and cutting upwind harder ,very impressive.
