17m Turbine Tighe

[scottman]

Tighe why are you selling the turbine ? Is this thing as good as the ozone 17m Zephyr?

[Tighe]

The new one is out.

I think the big difference is the Zepher has more stability in higher winds. It has more struts and I've heard is rideable into the 20s. In light winds, I flew them back to back and they were very similar. I like the slingshot bar better.

I'd look online I'm sure there are quite a few reviews and comparisons.

[Kevinousdigian]

I debated whether I should get a 17m for a few years - that a 14m is enough for a guy 185 lbs. A year and a half ago there were 3 days I was in Florida with a super steady 10-11 mph wind - I could fly the 14m but not kite without going downwind, even with a spleene (which I love). I finally bought the 17m Zephyr a month after that and have loved it. There is no doubt I can get out on more days and even on days others are out on a 14m I can get around the lake better and have fun jumping.

Last summer there was a light N wind day at Wac. Tighe and I were out on our 17s (Tighe on his Turbine and me on my Z) planing nearly 100% of the time and going where we wanted to. Most others on 14s ended up downwind at the city beach. The beauty of both these kites is they are not super slow like the older 17s so they are still fun to fly and have that horsepower you need for all the 8-15 mph days we get around here in summer. These big kites will get you to the wind and keep you upwind.

I also agree with Tighe's comment about the Zs range. Myself and others are real comfortable flying that into the mid 20s with 30 being max so if the wind comes up you don't have to worry about getting into trouble with it. So many days I'm out the wind is so variable around here that you don't want to run in and re-rig everytime the wind changes a little bit. Of course I'd rather be on 11m in 20-25 mph but if I have 30 min. left before leaving I'd much rather have a blast on the Z. Jumping with the Z is so fun because it feels like you have a parachute up there. My guess is the Turbine will relaunch easier than Z in the <10 mph winds because the Turbine is lighter and tuned differently.

If you've debated getting a 17m kite and enjoy getting out on the warm summer days then it's time to get one.
KO

[Emily]

Scott.

Why settle for only 17. Aaron just got a 19 Peter Lynn Fury LEI! Aaron on an inflatable, can you believe it!

[JRN]

GUESS I SHOULD PUT IN A PLUG FOR MY TABOO 17. I've been out on the same days as the Z-17's and felt it has comparable performance, low end, high end, etc. I got such a great deal on a demo unit, at about 1/2 the cost of a "Z", that I could not resist, and am happy with my purchase. It is a great improvement over my old waroo 17, with faster turning, easier relaunch, etc. Allows for riding without sineing & boosting in lighter winds.

[MK]

I'll plug the Turbine and 17 Best TS. We're talking about lightwind. Dorian (conservative all who know would agree) clocked me on his anenometer and with a big smile said "6.9mph with gusts to 8mph" on both. I also used a 14M Rally in the same "experiment" and agree it doesn't have the same low end as the 17's.

Both Best and SS have created a big kite that is much more responsive than it's predecessors. I'm eager to try the Zephyr for my own personal experience but see lots of positive comments yielding a favorable conclusion. Maybe we get to try them all at the gathering??

A major consideration not to be overlooked is the board. Big boards win in light winds. I don't think this argument is fair to exclude this factor; Lightwind riding is mostly successful with both a big kite and big board (skill and body weight then enter the variables too). It's not the kind of high intensity riding some enjoy but there is some satisfaction in being out while you see others unable. Not saying I take any pride in others failures, I just enjoy being able to ride in challenging conditions. Light wind is challenging and technical, and gear makes the difference. Although watching a gentleman work his 19M Flysurfer into the water and unable to re-launch did give me the final conclusion that I don't want one of them. Maybe I need to suspend my judgment and try it out though (perspective from in the shoes).

The pull between the 17 Turbine and the 17 TS is different. The Turbine has a more horizontal pull (deeper in the window) and the TS rides a little higher in the window with slightly more upward pull. These kites are shaped a little differently. I hope to get a chance to fly a Zephyr, Caution 18M, and now Peter Lynn These things cost too much for me to have one of each so I'll gladly share mine to try yours... winds blowing 8mph now...

[NJB]

Tighe, have you noticed any difference in the 2012 from the 2011?

[Tighe]

I haven't ridden the 2012 yet, so I can't compare.

[scottman]

Thanks everyone for the input, this helps!

Aaron, I can't believe that you bought an inflatable?

[Barry P]

We've had a wonderful spring. I've only used my big kite twice (16M Spitfire).

It's pretty cool that so many companies are really going after the challenges of the light wind kiting. I like what I see in the Zephyr and Turbine. Each have their advantages. I'm looking forward to seeing Mike's 17M Best TS in action.

Some other light-wind specific kites I'd like to see in action are the 17.5M Ocean Rodeo Flite, 17M Blade Fat Lady, and North's 17M Dyno (7 struts?). Others?

Jim: I think you need to get a Fat Lady... just because.

[JRN]

THANKS, BARRY, but I've got all the LADY I can handle already!

[johnz]

I'm getting a 2012 Turbine, but I'm a Slingshot whore (and proud of it)

It looks like they spent a lot of brain sweat trying to make it lighter, and therefore faster. I'm curious if it will be more fragile.

I have no need to be able to fly the thing in 30 mph wind

I still have never flown a Zephyr - I'd like to do that sometime.

[JRN]

YOU MAY BE A "SLINGSLUT" Z-MAN. At least no one is calling you a Fat Lady!

[zheton]

I used to have lf havoc 16m.. then turbo diesel1 16m. Last summer i spent on td3 17m.
I have ozone now. Last Saturday wasn't windy enough so i went with it, I hit the lake around 11 and finished my session at 5.
For all of that time i was on the water. Around noon wind exceed and there were many guys on 12-13m and i was having lots of fun without feeling it overpowered too much. By the end of my session it was hard to go upwind (because wind pretty much died).

Last summer with my td3 when wing increased up to 20mph and more i'd rush to the shore to get a smaller kite.
For the low end of zephyr.. It doesn't relaunch well for me in a very low winds. For a few times i ended-up far away from the shore and had to swim for about half an hour + long walk of shame. So now if i go out i want the forecast show me at least 12-13mph)))
If it less then that i'd rather go rollerblading, hit the gym, or do something useful.

One friend of mine used to have 17m td2, then 18m caution mayhem mx. now he has 17 taboo.
When i asked him about relaunching caution compared to td3 he said that nothing relaunches easier then td.
I've never tried turbine)