Has anyone had a ride on any of the V3 Kahoonas. Pref a comparasion to the V2, low end power and any issues/joy with wave riding with the kite etc.
Yes would be good to know. I use the V2. Some marketing blurb came out a month ago but then nothing - maybe try posting this on the other major forum with world wide exposure.
we had the new V3 at Kitestock but unfortunately not much wind. Since then the Geraldton crew have had some demos and also some areas of the east Coast, as well.
From all reports so far the kites look great and have increased top and bottom end stability and perfomance. Apart from this, and the new material, the Kahoona V3 similar to last years but with better overall feel and graphics.
There will be a demo in Perth over the coming weeks as the Best team moves down the coast. Hopefully some of them will post some reviews sooner.
Available end of the month/ start of March
Been riding the V3 a few times since Kitestock, they do live up to all the claims made by Best, lighter bar pressure, quicker turning response, and much, much better top end stability. Not wanting to be over enthusiastic I would put usable top end up at least 5 knots probably more, one day last week out on the 9.5 with Geraldton Port Authority reading up to 28 knots and I was still quite comfortable, dropped down to the 7.5 and was having a ball. Had the 9.5 out with winds of 12-15 knots, on a 5'6" surfboard and was going as well as a friend on a popular 12m Delta, we swapped over and his had very little extra usable power, yet we were able to throw the 9.5 around to make use of the onshore slop. The kite is very well made the materials all look and feel great, the new canopy cloth is claimed to have less stretch, it certainly feels crisp, the whole kite feels lighter and more lively when sailing and to me is worth every cent of the increased cost. They will shortly be in shops and available for demo, looking at demo,s in Perth around 11-13th March, just waiting for cyclones to move on and give us some good weather patterns.
The relaunch is as easy as before, just steer it off the water, hot launch straight downwind no problems, the A-B points make a small difference to bar pressure and steering, but I don't think you would use the slower setting unless trying a new freestyle trick on one of the smaller kites. Honestly the kite feels a lot better than I was expecting, it really benefits from the 3 years of development and although I kite the Taboo I would be more than happy with these. From my wife and sons perspective they both love the lighter bar and feel of the kite, with comments like "I am not sure whats changed but it feels a lot easier" that is probably far more important for Best than anything I could say.
I hope you are right becuase the changes you have mentioned are exactly the flaws I feel the kite has. I still love them, especially the 11.5m and its low end grunt, but my 7.5m is higher winds (where the gusts are alwqays greater) the stability of the wing - in terms of fluttering or twitching is not great. The bar pressure is also a little to heavy for my liking
Hi eppo, totally agree with you, the Kahoona has always been great for low end, but have run out of top end too early, bar pressure was too much for me with long sessions and kiting daily, I would guess its now 15-20% lighter on the V3 over V2, almost perfect, I forgot to say it is a boosting machine, always did boost well but now its more reactive and out in more wind, it really does take you up. As always don't take my word for it give one a go.
Well I most def will give them a crack. 15-20% lighter would be perfect. Also the boosting increase. Found the 7.5m went up but down just as fast, you need to adjust the kite flight in the air to avoid coming down hard - but you need to take into account only a 7.5m so not much canopy in the air.
Hope you are right on the kahoona front, a great kite nevertheless.
V3 Demo weekend coming up soon at Woodys and other Perth kite beaches. PM me if you want to be updated with an email invitation.
or ph 9336 7884 tues > sat.
Best have just released the new video update for the KAHOONA V3.
www.bestkiteboarding.com/en-us/feed/?p=1&v=77
Kahoona V3 demo days at Woodies have been confirmed as Thurs 10th & Sat 12th.
pm for details if you like.
1st delivery may be instore by then - or soon after at worst.
Demo day Thursday was solidly backed by lots of locals. Sat saw all kites fully booked, by ppl from near and far, right through from lunch to overpowered.
Lots of demos. All reports on the beach were super positive - but they always are when you have just let someone ride your kite.
Huge props to Nigel for coming down from Gero for the show.
How about a few of you demo ppl putting up your reviews. Would go a long way to making Nigel feel loved 
for his efforts.
Sorry I wasnt there for the Sat session. 
New stock arriving in about 3 weeks.
Cmon guys. Surely someone who demoed has something (nice) to say.
Are they the G.O. or wot.
Took the V3 for a fling at Woodies last thursday. I ride the V2 and love them so wasnt really interested in a change. But they were there so i just went to see what all the fuss is about. I found out. Huge leap forward. A bit more stable. Relaunch is even easier. Quite a bit faster turning but boosting and hangtime is where it excels. Took me higher and for way longer than Id ever gone on my V2.
Looks like a sticky beak test drive is going to mean more new kites. Oh well. The bigger boosts will make it all worthwhile.
Had a fly on the 7.5 ,wind was 18-24knts cross shore, this kite was very stable for its size ,definitely was very sedated in the turning components, couldnt turn it very quick from the centre of the bar ,which is a great advantage on a 7.5. relaunch is quite unbelievable, trying to get it to drop out of the sky by running at it ,no chance , on the waves it just sat there, jumps were solid . bad pt for me the depower doesnt seem to change much just keeps pulling, and not directly to the edge of the window like my argo can shoot too. But that is one bad pt for me , alot of big plusses , good waves next time. I usually ride a 9m argo . Cant even get the right replacement lines from griffin its been 2 months , cant even get him to email- that is more than a couple of bad points . no shop crap here
