Hello friends,
I received the new Ozone Zephyr 17m five days ago and you can imagine the excitement!!
We have been lucky and had 5 days of wind, actually up to today the wind was quite good and we coudn't test the low end of the kite but here we go...
Monday 14 of September,
wind was like 10 to 15 so not really the best for testing light wind..
Kite is fast for such a big kite incredibly stable and pretty powerfull.
Ozone feeling from the first moment and nice bar pressure!! Just a bit more then my Light XC 14m.
It jump nicely and remind me of a 15m Sport 2007 as turning speed but much more grunty!
I test it again a Cabrinha Convert 15m and I felf the Zephir had more power but a bit slower.
I test it against a Cab Switchblade 14m, still more powerfull and the power erogation is much smoother!!
The SB is definetely faster...
Tuesday 15 of September, wind was around 11 to 14 knots.
People were able to go on 14m light and also on a CAB Convert 12m (very light guy).
When the wind dropped I was racing a bit with a Flysurfer Titan 15m (old kite) and I was killing him...
But I dont think wecan compare such an old kite.. I wish a FS Speed 2 was there...
Wednesday 16 September,
the day with the stronger wind in a while!! I would say 12 to 17 knots.
First went out on the 12m Light and then decided to take the Zephir.
No problem in holding the strong wind, did no have to depower the kite, the high end is unbeliveable for such a beast!
I have a Japanese friend "Taro" to try the kite and he like it, he said a bit slow but good for freestyle.
Every size and style of kite where planning in the water so coudn't really tell about low end.
Thursday 17 September wind drop a bit. I would say 9 to 13 knots.
Me and Taro swapt between Light 14m and Zephir..
Could hold the ground on the Light 14m but flying upwind on the Zephir.
I gave the kite to a heavy beginner (just learning to get on the board, weight around 85 kilos) but he could only go downwind.
I gave the kite to a big guy who usually fly Light 14m.. And he was holding his ground when he was loosing water big time with his Light.
I had a great day in the water while most of the other guys were on the beach or walking up wind.
Wednesday 18 September, very typical Bali Light wind 7 to 11 knots.
Me and all the boys from the Bali Kitesurfing School used the kite and were all able to go upwind.
Koman and Wayan that are under 70 kilos were flying. Me and Kadek over 70 kilos a bit less.
The Zephyr was the only kite in the water going up wind.
Conclusions!!
Big, Powerfull, Stable, Smooth, Fun...
You need a light wind kite to maximize your days in the water? The Zephyr is for you..
The low end for holding ground for me is 7-11 knots on my Underground Freewave Medium..
I would like to try with a Race board in this wind (actually I will have an Underground Race Board soon!!! but don't tell my wife...).
To have fun, go at full speed etc. I require the wind to be 9 to 12 knots minimum the kind of wind when were normally I would be on the beach!
Is a BIG kite and will make big guys happy from 12 knots up. is not turning like a rocket but I could still downloop it in the waves.
The power erogation is so smooth, just like a car accelerator. Kite is very stable even in light wind.
Turning is also nice, the kite is not pivoting on the axis but makes nice powered turns more like a C kite then a Bow.
Easy to whip the kite from one side to the other of the wind window just with one hand...
It can be relaunch in under 10 knots!!
Normally big kites are booring and heavy on the bar! This one is still fun..
You don't believe me!! Then come and try the kite yourself or check the Videos I just uploaded on www.kitetv.com
Ozone Zephyr in Bali LW testing kitetv.magnify.net/video/Ozone-Zephyr-in-Bali-LW-testing kitetv.magnify.net/video/Ozone-Zephyr-in-Bali-LW-testi-2kitetv.magnify.net/video/Ozone-Zephyr-in-Bali-LW-testi-3kitetv.magnify.net/video/Ozone-Zephyr-in-Bali-LW-relaunchttp://kitetv.magnify.net/video/Ozone-Zephyr-in-Bali-LW-relau-2
Bye Jankie
Awesome report Jankie, thank you very much.
That is impressive light wind performance for a tube kite, I can't wait to get mine now, we get a lot of light days on the East Coast of Oz.
Cya and
Goodwinds
Steve
Hi Jankie,
Nice review. Can't believe the differences between the wind gauges. 
Don't know how much need we'll have for 17m Light wind kites here in WA, but hey, you never know 
Cheers,
KH
hi janky ,i was lucky to be there with you guys on that monday my first kite in 3 mths i had a great time on your 15 cabconvert for nearly 2 hrs i was buggered and watching rip on the 17 ozone ,iwas lucky enough for you to give me a go on 17 ozone beast ,with only 1 season under my belt in perth on 9m rev weighing in at 78kg i found these larger kites very easy to handle and great fun .the 15 cab convert to was fast and easy to turn but 17 ozone was very smooth turning and also fast and stable . only got to relauch 15m convert once which was so easy no need mention ,didnt drop 17 in my 20min ride .but seen janky drop the 17 a couple of times just see how easy it was .and it looked easy anyway .cant wait for next year a big thank you to janky and all the guys from kitesurfbali .that day made my trip .thanks 
mick
Hey Jankie,
How do you rate the 14 Light XC in waves?
I have the 12 Light XC and thinking of a 14 as well.
Even though the Zephyer looks the goods I probably won't go for another kite that big. I allready have a pretty good light wind combo.
Thanks Mick, we also look forward to see you next year...
The Light XC 14m works ok in the waves I normally use it in the On Shore waves of Sanur where I'm always looking for power more then speed.
The Zephyr is not a wave kite by far... but yesterday I had one of my best day in a very rare South wind at Oka point in Sanur..
I would not have enough power on my XC 14m but on he Zephyr it was all good.
More like park the kite and ride the wave, in some occasion I had to downloop the kite to keep power when riding the wave downwind and was ok.
Bye Jankie
Nice review Jankie, that kite would be perfect here. One of these days I'd like to return to Bali for the surf and kiting.
I like the canopy pattern a lot.
Hey Sburlo,
That canopy pattern flows through the entire range of Ozone kites even through the snow and land foils and right down to the Ozone Imp Trainers. Neat huh?
It is Ozone's plan to make all their kites more recognizable as being Ozone.
Cheers,
KH
Hello again,
as I promise I just uploaded in my web site a Photo Gallery with more Zephyr action pictures.
My friend that is about 5 kilos lighter then me was just enough powered up on a Light XC 14m
I had plenty of power on the Zephyr.
Bye Jankie
www.bali-kitesurfing.org/photogallery.html
Just had Ozone Zephyr for a nice LOW wind test today and I thought I ll share
wind was 11-15 knt...
when it was 12 knt I was on the water on my 129 board (73kg)...and I was comfortably staying upwind..need I say more :) The kite was surpassingly fast. In comparison I would say it was as fast as 13m kites....
Didn't notice any problems with bar pressure so it must have been just correct :)
Started to jump when wind picked up to 15 and it was pretty sweet and if I would pop before yanking the kite I would be pretty high :)
Name sort of matches European style but in Oz it might be a bit of a contradiction hehe... nevertheless I would recommend this to anyone :)
Predictable, powered all arounder :)
OK, My curiosity has been raised enough to order a demo model in. I reckon there is a few blookes who may be interested in the Zephyr for the lighter wind days.
I'm guessing that I'll be doing a lot more riding than most this year LOL [}:)]
Come and see me at Pinnaroo for a spin if you are interested in about 10 days time. Oh ..... and pick a nice light wind day. I reckon coupled with a Phantom or Exile I'll be upwind in 8 knots.
Cheers,
KH
