I've been kiting about 10 times now with my Octane 12 and I am having trouble relaunching it off the water and riding in light wind. I am looking into getting a bow kite or a hybrid and I was wondering if anyone is extremely happy with their kite for riding, relaunching, and depowering.
I am also looking to buy a beginner board ... I will probably get a slingshot.
(I weigh about 125 lb and I'm not entirely sure what size to get)
-Lauren
Thanks!
Any suggestions on which kite to buy?
Moderator: MK
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laurenkites
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:19 am
- Location: Minneapolis uptown
Lauren,
I love my Octanes. I find them pretty easy to relaunch as long as there is some wind. I'm assuming you have a fifth line on it - there is a little trick in that you don't want to put the kite totally on its back in lighter winds - it will just get stuck downwind upside down.
I'd recommend praticing where you can touch before getting stuck in the middle of the lake.
I think a bow kite or any newer hybrid might relaunch a little easier, but they can have other issues.
Feel free to give me a call if you'd like to discuss this more.
- John Z
612 275 5646
I love my Octanes. I find them pretty easy to relaunch as long as there is some wind. I'm assuming you have a fifth line on it - there is a little trick in that you don't want to put the kite totally on its back in lighter winds - it will just get stuck downwind upside down.
I'd recommend praticing where you can touch before getting stuck in the middle of the lake.
I think a bow kite or any newer hybrid might relaunch a little easier, but they can have other issues.
Feel free to give me a call if you'd like to discuss this more.
- John Z
612 275 5646
Lauren
Per our conversation at Malmo: In minnesota, you'll likely be most satisfied, with a bow or sle kite due to the inconsistent winds we have here and the ease of use of this style of kite.
We all tend to become somewhat bias with the kites we ride but there are lots of manufactures to choose from -which are all generally good with some subtle differences. Local favorites are slingshot TD2, Best waroo, Ozone instinct/sport, and a few others.
You should be your own judge. Try to fly them and pick the one you like. Check the ADVISOR post under the knowledge section for local riders and contact info to try a kite. Same holds for boards.
http://www.lakawa.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=7191
Their are plenty of folks, including myself, that are happy to help you make your decision. Watch the posts and see where people are going and stop by the lake and adsorb.
Good luck.
Per our conversation at Malmo: In minnesota, you'll likely be most satisfied, with a bow or sle kite due to the inconsistent winds we have here and the ease of use of this style of kite.
We all tend to become somewhat bias with the kites we ride but there are lots of manufactures to choose from -which are all generally good with some subtle differences. Local favorites are slingshot TD2, Best waroo, Ozone instinct/sport, and a few others.
You should be your own judge. Try to fly them and pick the one you like. Check the ADVISOR post under the knowledge section for local riders and contact info to try a kite. Same holds for boards.
http://www.lakawa.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=7191
Their are plenty of folks, including myself, that are happy to help you make your decision. Watch the posts and see where people are going and stop by the lake and adsorb.
Good luck.
Last edited by drknap on Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
Kurt
Lauren,
I have your chair... I grabed it from carlsona sunday mourning
you will have to try the flexifoil Ion 2. I have been using the 14.5 for my light wind kite. the kite has the feel of a ture "C" kite with the depower of a bow kite I can take the kite out from about 12mph up to arround 30...
relaunch is great as long as the wind is above 10. under that I have to flip the kite on it's back.
the Ion has very light bar presher but stil has a direct feel and fast turning. also it turns like a c kite (not on axis like the bows)
are you getting out today I was thinking of heading to waconia.... or maby big island in Mtka.
I olso have a Ocean rodeo One 16m for demo, but I havn't flown it and don't know much about it.
Jon
for ransom information on your chair
952-807-3306
I have your chair... I grabed it from carlsona sunday mourning
you will have to try the flexifoil Ion 2. I have been using the 14.5 for my light wind kite. the kite has the feel of a ture "C" kite with the depower of a bow kite I can take the kite out from about 12mph up to arround 30...
relaunch is great as long as the wind is above 10. under that I have to flip the kite on it's back.
the Ion has very light bar presher but stil has a direct feel and fast turning. also it turns like a c kite (not on axis like the bows)
are you getting out today I was thinking of heading to waconia.... or maby big island in Mtka.
I olso have a Ocean rodeo One 16m for demo, but I havn't flown it and don't know much about it.
Jon
for ransom information on your chair
952-807-3306
Jon Stroh
Fly as many kites as you can Lauren. They all have their pros and cons. The bows and hybrids will feel a bit foreign to you at first coming from C kites but once you dial them in, you're going to find you'll be having more fun sooner and enjoying more sessions here in the Midwest (i.e. gusty) winds.
Hybrids were designed to give a bit more of a C kite feel so you may like those. You loose a bit on relaunching ease in light winds and range over the true bows but I know many coming from C's prefer the feel.
The bows have great range, and relaunch the easiest, and are probably the most sensitive in terms of tuning (which is good and bad)
Bar pressure also varies from manufacturer but isn't determined by kite type. Only riding each will help you figure out how much you want.
I have Slingshot's T2 bow kites and Link Hybrid kites to demo.
Lots of good kites out there. Don't stress over making the perfect choice. You can't go wrong with any of them.
Hybrids were designed to give a bit more of a C kite feel so you may like those. You loose a bit on relaunching ease in light winds and range over the true bows but I know many coming from C's prefer the feel.
The bows have great range, and relaunch the easiest, and are probably the most sensitive in terms of tuning (which is good and bad)
Bar pressure also varies from manufacturer but isn't determined by kite type. Only riding each will help you figure out how much you want.
I have Slingshot's T2 bow kites and Link Hybrid kites to demo.
Lots of good kites out there. Don't stress over making the perfect choice. You can't go wrong with any of them.
Tighe
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steveb
- Posts: 2146
- Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2002 3:31 pm
- Location: sblain@frontiernet.net
All the above statements are right on the money, I would say have a look at the Crazyfly boards. They're very well priced for the construction and quality of the board. I think both Kurt and Avery have Cly boards which would be good sizes for you to try.
Additionally I have a 13m Ozone Sport you're welcome to demo, it's a Hybrid, easy relaunch and loads of depower.
It's also for sale, it's a size I thought would be good for me but the kites have so much range I'm going from the 15m to the 11m. I think it would be a nice 10 to 20mph kite for your size. It's been used twice so great condition.
My e mails at the side of the post if you'd like to get out on the water with it.
Additionally I have a 13m Ozone Sport you're welcome to demo, it's a Hybrid, easy relaunch and loads of depower.
It's also for sale, it's a size I thought would be good for me but the kites have so much range I'm going from the 15m to the 11m. I think it would be a nice 10 to 20mph kite for your size. It's been used twice so great condition.
My e mails at the side of the post if you'd like to get out on the water with it.
Regional Ozone Team rider