Im considering buying a 2012 Reo for use as a high wind kite on a TT (135 x 39) for those days 25kts+ and also for starting to ride waves on a surfboard. I have not surfed before as such. My thought process on the Reo was it has a good wind range and good depower for kiting in high winds on my TT, as I havent really ever been confident before to kite in winds higher than 25kts. So i was looking at getting a double use on this kite, ie getting me out in higher winds with some confidence on the TT and using it in lighter winds say from 17 - 23kts in surf on a SB to learn in waves.
Specs:
80kg
TT: 135 x 39
SB: Not yet purchased.
Live/Kite: Ocean Grove Vic.
Any constructive comments from experience on this kite or similar be appreciated especially weather to purchase a 6m or 8m? (other kites I use 13m & 10m C4's & 14m Torch)
cheers
had the 8 on trial felt more like a 6 riding a twinny , youll get air but the wind has gotta be up there, and youve gotta work your kite a lot more than your c4s which will only improve your flying skills, id say the catalyst would be a better investment if you wanna high wind twinny stroke surf kite, or a smaller c4, if youre gonna pack in riding the twinny then yep go the reo, dont forget your weight comes into it too, im high 80s kg and took the 8 out in high 30s knts it took a bit of adjustment for speed of turn, compared to my edges but i had a ball youve gotta be really forcefull to get the drive you want on a twinny, i passed it to my mate who solely rides a surf board and he was ripping on it, only fault i could find was a slight canopy flutter on the turn but only when depowered .
I'd be looking at an 8m Catalyst. A six, in either REO or Catalyst, will be a big jump down from your 10m C4. There will be very few days you'll be overpowered on the 8, at least on your twinny, but many days when the 6 wouldn't be quite enough. I've ridden the REO on a twinny and it will work, but the Cat would be more fun, while still having the drift and agility for waveriding at your level.
You could also go a 7 or 8 in the C4s. There's no reason you couldn't use your 10m C4 in the waves either, especially with the bridle set to freeride mode (closest knots to the leading edge, so several cm of the spectra is dangling). Just bear in mind that it won't have the relaunch speed of the Cat or REO.
I have a 6m reo and 10c4 combo. I primarily run a wave style TT and use a surfboard every now and then.
For me i hold the 10 c4 to 30 knots. But 25 + its powered.
The 6 reo I take out of the bag around 25knots but its pretty underpowered until 30 knots. 30-40 is the sweet spot for the 6 on the TT. 40+ and i start to trim the trim strap.
So... The is a gap between 25-30 knots were i'm getting too powered on the 10 but boring on the 6m....
So if most of your storm wind is under 30 knots go the 8m. it will work 25-35 bracket pretty sweetly.
If you want to go out in storms of sustained wind of 30-40 knot then the 6m is the go.
PS I will add an 8m back into my line up at some time.
Riding the reo on the TT is fine. it has insane gust munching depower ability. but your wont win any prizes for big air on this kite.
PSS even on the surfboard sub 25 knots is pretty damn boring on this kite.
