what is better smaller board or smaller kite in higher winds,can`t afford both.
have a 12 meter and 145x41 board combo ,pretty wild ride in high winds.
im 80kg and at the moment riding the Rubicon river estuary Port Sorell tasmania
Thank you all for your input, sounds like i really need both, think i will go
with 9 meter kite first ,and just keep saving for smaller board.
couldn`t stand sitting out a session due to being overpowered.
talk about completely addicted.
If you are progressing well I would say you need to get onto a smaller board. If you look around on other threads guys are riding boards generally 133 and below. I think the enjoyment you would get from a smaller board would outweigh the benefits of getting a smaller kite, for now. You also run the risk of buying something you hardly get to use, whereas the 145 will become your light wind plank and the smaller board will be used most of the time!
Also, you don't say where you ride regularly, or how big you are so no-one can really give you informed advice.
if you ride in only above 13-14 knots sell the big board and buy a smaller one (132-140cm) and also get a smaller kite 7-8m
are you trying to say that a 7 or 8 mtre kite will do in 14kts?
I have a 16 venom that wouldn't even get a look in at that wind range.
Go the smaller board mate, long term its a better investment.
Keep you big board for light wind days.
Cheers
J
My slender 95 kgs 
can use a NEW OS 14m to 25 knots and NEW OS 7m down to 20knots on a 143x40 Cardboard.
Just depends what style of riding you want to do.
Get yourself a smaller kite first. Big kites suck.
Something around 8m ish.
I wish it was always 7m weather.
Get a small kite, you will enjoy it so much more in strong wind and your wind range will be bigger. But consider getting a smaller board as soon as you can.
Another option is shorter lines with your current kite and board .try doubling your current lines and see what you think
my 6m DNA is awsum i love using it. i weigh 70kg with a 130 board. smaller kites more fun to use. 
loads more wind range in the winter winds.
Good luck
Hello dogbones,
In Tassie you will want a smaller kite. No question about it really. If you're going to keep kiting for the next 3 months you'll spew if you don't have one. Given the inconsistency of the wind being that it can average 18-20 then gusts will be 34 or so, a smaller board wont help you as much as a stable smaller kite will, like a 9 or 8m.
The 9m and below are just so much more fun anyway. With a smaller kite you'll be on top of it and in control, with a smaller board and bigger kite you'll be survival kiting too often. My 2 cents, but aim to get both if you can.
Hi Dogbones,
No doubt about it mate, in Tassie you are going to need a smaller kite. A smaller board is nice and will give you more control over speed, but when you are overpowered, you are overpowered and thats all there is to it.
The only time a smaller board will help significantly when majorly overpowered is if you ride in buttery smooth water and can hold a good edge at speed. This also only works if your kite behaves itself when overpowered. Some kites behave very badly when overpowered. 
A more experienced rider can get control over an overpowered big kite in stronger winds more easily than a beginner. It's not just riding with an overpowered kite, it's dealing with it on launch and land and in crashes etc.
Find yourself a nice 7m to complement your 12. We have a bunch of smaller winter type kites at clearance prices, have a look see if there is something you might like. A smaller kite is more fun, quicker, lighter, and will boost you much higher than a big kite.
A smaller board will help too, and can be an addition when you are more financial. Also, what Lach says is quite true, a shorter line set of say around 20m, will have the same effect as dropping the power of your kite to that of around a 10m.
Go the smaller kite and have fun.
Good winds,
I agree with going the smaller kite route, espcially if you are still a beginner. Which you are by the sounds of it. You'll fall in love with the speed of a 9-7m once you start riding 1 and will start praying that it never blows under 25kts.
I think it's funny cause it seemed not that long ago the little dude was asking all the questions. He's intitled to have an opinion, I don't have a prob with that. But if old mate weighs 80kg I woulda thought he'd be keen to get advise from other 80+kg riders not 50kg. I know I would.
im 85kgs in perth,riding a 12m flow..looking to also buy a smaller kite,was thinking a 07 model 9m...waty do you guys think??shopuld i go smaller for the winter gusts??i mostly stay to flat water....
sorry to hijak the thread
I'm surprised you are riding a 12 in Perth. Most people seemed to have a 10 - 10.5 when I was there over Xmas. At Woodies later in the arvo people would start to bring out 7m as the Seabreeze cranked up.
Hey Graceful, prob depends if you want to hit the surf or not. I'd get a 9m but you may prefer to get a 7m for the waves?
Depends how grunty the kite is too. You may be better off on a 7m flow
