Select to expand quoteJohnnoKeys said..
The big kites do turn fast on lite wind days - as they are the only kites in the sky. 
Farq that is golden...
2.5m swell period up to 14, 20 to 25 WNW, yep see you tomoz. Put ya tight jocks on boys, gonna get Farqin nuts!!!
Went out at Melville today on the 7 and the wind dropped, I should have used the zephyr ! Having used the zephyr the last few seshes it was unbelievable the 7 for the few minutes I had wind. Ripped around like a demented pink and grey gallah on essendon supplements.
Then I buried it in ten tons of ****ty soggy weed and spent an hour de-****ing my lines of estuarine cloggy sticky phosphate bloated weeds. A dissapointing session!
Gotta to be in it to win it dave! Winter can be a real lottery. Starting the change already up there, starting to move into no mans land weather wise...don't worry you will all be smiling soon and we will all be hating you again.
Gero crew whinging about wind...no ones really listening...well I'm not ya lucky bastards.
Select to expand quoteDave Whettingsteel said..
Then I buried it in ten tons of ****ty soggy weed and spent an hour de-****ing my lines of estuarine cloggy sticky phosphate bloated weeds. A dissapointing session!
it's interesting . Melville has been like that lately . I feel the lack of big storms and rain hasn't flushed the river out . Did you also notice how badly you stunk after getting out ?
Yes, me and my car smell like my wifes garden compostor!
I think you are right Dusta, the Swan needs a good purge... hopefully these decent rains will start it flushing through.
Select to expand quotedusta said..Dave Whettingsteel said..
Then I buried it in ten tons of ****ty soggy weed and spent an hour de-****ing my lines of estuarine cloggy sticky phosphate bloated weeds. A dissapointing session!
it's interesting . Melville has been like that lately . I feel the lack of big storms and rain hasn't flushed the river out . Did you also notice how badly you stunk after getting out ?
I was out about 1.30 to 3.00 pm around the corner from Melville had the 12m up water was not smelling and no weed.
the only thing that smelt like xxxx was my wet suit as it was gusting to 30 knot with bullets man did i read it wrong, self landing was a treat.
Has anyone flown both the Zephyr & Fat Lady and can offer their opinion on the differences between the kites etc.
I'm hoping to find a light wind kite to use in the waves on a surfboard.
In what winds topple, imho the zephyr isn't a true lw kite, to use it in the surf you'd have to drastically slow everything down a notch or 2 as you'll find yourself outrunning the kite and waiting for it to catch up, I've not known a kite to have such a fine line between being boring and then coming alive, be prepared to get annoyed with the zephyr because you won't believe how good it feels when its in the correct winds, but then you may be on something smaller?
10-15sh after that I'm on my 10 Reo (75kg) I was only thinking of going as big as a 17 as I can get similar power on my 10 as I can on a 12 Reo.
Sorry for the thread hi-jack.
Hey man email puertz he has been on both and can comment on what he thinks. I know he liked both of them so be good to talk to him.
Very different kites from what I have read. Depends on what ya want hey.
I'm pretty new to down wind wave riding, so take my comments as pretty uneducated.... but I've found riding waves on Zephyr better than my 7 and 10 rebels. When bearing away and I'm mucking around turning on the wave my rebels want to hunt and zip backwards and forwards generating loads of power, and not always in the direction I want to go! But the Zephyr just sits there all happy and stable and I can ride the wave using it more like a wake cable. As I said I have loads to learn and I will get better at using the Rebel to its strengths I'm sure.
I dont know how it compares to other big kites, but is working for me now!
Hope that helps a little
Dave
Yes but I think for fly and follow, the fat lady would be quicker and more suited to that kind of wave riding.
Yeh park and ride it's fun the zephyr hey and also fast enough to cut back off the lip...don't go too deep in the pocket though it won't drift per say...well little bit but not that easy.
Light winds to me equals some kind of aspect and efficiency, hence not interested in a light wind kite with lower aspect but some crew love em.
a bit of a note on the zephyrs top end, ive flown it a few times around 20knts and once around 23knts, although still superbly behaved it gets a bit heavy on the bar and doesnt go upwind as good(very similar to older model), but changing you backlines to the middle or closest knot really helps , ive been playing around with this during the last few sessions, also i found the middle knot produced a much puchier boost and better height, great couple of sessions with some great bump and jump conditions
I have two questions. Does the zephyr have small bladders or does it take an eternity to pump up?
Also does anyone know who is demoing them in Melbourne?
Ta
Hey Cauncy with the board I have i am fine from 12 kn on my 2012 zeph but when I get well powered I can lose my edge on a hard carve. Which freeride board would you recommend (small surf, chop, 86 VB's, 12 - 18) zeph riding
Cheers Rosco
Select to expand quoteROSS1BRO said...
Hey Cauncy with the board I have i am fine from 12 kn on my 2012 zeph but when I get well powered I can lose my edge on a hard carve. Which freeride board would you recommend (small surf, chop, 86 VB's, 12 - 18) zeph riding
Cheers Rosco
I'm loving the shinn monk, iv had and rode a fair few tts, but as a fast, no spray, chop loving freeride board it takes some beating, as for losing your edge imo its near impossible, I'm on the 135 / 42, at 89kgs and ride powered at 15knts on the 2013, below that I'm not too interested, id say the bottom end is similar to the 2011/12, but everything else is highly improved, the monk has been awarded independent board of the year in Europe so I'm not the only one who reckons its the bollocks
Select to expand quotemorandi said...
I have two questions. Does the zephyr have small bladders or does it take an eternity to pump up?
Also does anyone know who is demoing them in Melbourne?
Ta
The 2013 has a slightly smaller le than the last model, the fast flow inflation makes it pretty easy until the last couple of psi, it' was mentioned that it inflated as fast as an 11 on the older small valve system by a rebel rider, a bit of hard pumping is a small price to pay for a wicked ride
I just spent the last 8 days on a Zeph in Aitutaki and absolutely loved this kite. For a big kite it actually performed better than some 14's I have been on and for my weight (112kg) I was riding from 12 - 23 knots on it. I found the stability of the kite exceptional and really appreciated how it just sat in the window I parked it and made cutting up wind a breeze. Jumping was fun as well and in 18 knots got some awesome hang time. In terms of wind range having a kite that I can use from 12 - 23 knots is awesome if i just want to cruise. However, if I want something a bit quicker and twitchier then my 14 would still be a good choice but would probably only bring out my 14 now when the wind gets to about 20 knots. I am still fairly new to the sport but as a big keg this kite seems to be perfect for me.
I am also really keen to try the Airrush zero as a light wind option. I am not sure if anyone has had any experience with this kite as it is fairly new.
Well I can honestly say I actually look forward to anything between 13 and 18 now ((75kg) becuase of the zephyr. Had an awesome wave session the other day in 13 to 16, while others had to stay upwind on their 11s and 14's as the wind came in and out and the surf breaks best in a weird wind shadow. For down the line stuff I had a cracker of a session, chuck a downloop in down the line and the power is so smooth, just perfect even for a big kite. Slow everything down a tad and it works a treat.
Cauncy is correct it jumps best on the middle knot. Got some great jumps on the way back out with the wind out of the shadow.
Yeh my fav kite for sure.
Select to expand quotemorandi said..
I have two questions. Does the zephyr have small bladders or does it take an eternity to pump up?
Ta
Yeah, as Cauncy says the wide valve makes a huge difference. With my North pump its 120 pumps for the Zephyr, same as my 10m rebel with the small valve. The last 20 are harder work though. Pumping it is no more, or less, annoying than my other kites!
Select to expand quoteDave Whettingsteel said..morandi said..
I have two questions. Does the zephyr have small bladders or does it take an eternity to pump up?
Ta
Yeah, as Cauncy says the wide valve makes a huge difference. With my North pump its 120 pumps for the Zephyr, same as my 10m rebel with the small valve. The last 20 are harder work though. Pumping it is no more, or less, annoying than my other kites!
Takes 50 to form shape so it is sitting in front of you open. The two sets of 10, with another 5 here and depending if it is near the top end, of which I want it a little harder.
so 70-75 pumps on the ozone pump. Used to take 110 pumps for my 2012 rebel 11m. But that is null and void as the new north valve is excellent and it pumps very quick.
Just as null and void people giving their opinions on the zephyr before 2013.
Select to expand quote
so 70-75 pumps on the ozone pump. .
Didnt get a pump with my Zephyr. I think I need an Ozone pump, sounds a lot more efficient than my North one
. . . who counts pumps? 
My brain is like: "Must . . . pump . . . faster . . . wind is . . . coming . . . must . . . do more . . . exercise . . . ooh a squirrel . . ."
Well, I give it all for 50 pumps straight, die, then I know just two sets of 10 after that! Gives me some end points...
PLus we needn't worry about the wind coming, we live in WA, it's either already there or it will be very shortly...lol...
Select to expand quoteDave Whettingsteel said..
so 70-75 pumps on the ozone pump. .
Didnt get a pump with my Zephyr. I think I need an Ozone pump, sounds a lot more efficient than my North one
Also I roll the thing out, little sand on one end, rather than the normal centre folding each side technique. That may help I think.
Select to expand quoteeppo said..PLus we needn't worry about the wind coming, we live in WA, it's either already there or it will be very shortly...lol...
Hate you! 
and I hate mid western sandgropers...just works its way up the wind trophic levels!
not too sure who they would hate...somewhere the trade winds blow all year maybe? Hard to beat.
