Fuel sizing

stringer · Since 31 Jul 2007 694 Posts Chucktown Flying Tomato

So this year I am weening myself off of my dad's gear and have already picked up 9,11,13 2006 fuels.
I'm loving the fuels and am looking to extend the quiver so that my little brother (~150lbs) and I (~185lbs) can ride at the same time.

I'm trying to decide on whether to get a 7m or get something bigger like 15m or so yo round it out.
Which size would you fuel riders use more often?
I mostly kite at Stevenson, but after yesterday's session I want to hit the coast more often.

Thanks

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

7m for Stevenson (or the Gorge for that matter)... 15m for Sauvies if you want to ride when it's lighter. I'd say go for the 7, especially as there will be the times that you'll need it to ride. You don't want to pump up a BIG kite either.

P.S. - Scott is 160? No way! I know Tucker got bigger, but shit, that's 15lbs on me (and I'm pretty sure I was bigger than him last season). Laughing

Sol-flyer · Thu Apr 03, 08 11:50 am

you two wheigh pretty close,....i'd almost say you could ride the same size, with a different sized board.... Twisted Evil

But go with the 7m! Wink

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2103 Posts PNW Bigfoot

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

screw the 15m. last year i weighed 185 and 07 13m fuel was my biggest kite. i was able to do downwinders on my 5'11" SRT in about 15mph of wind.

i had an 06 15m and hated it. after owning this kite i gave up on light wind kiting. i'd say buy an 07 13m instead of hte 06 15m if you can find one reasonably pricded. the 07 provides about as much power, but waayy way way faster turning, higher boosting, tons more depower, i would say almost expontially more depower.

sorry to confuse things, go the the 7m if you have to pick between the 06 7m and 06 15m.

as far as which one i would ride more, well since i would never ride a 15m it would have to be the 7m that i ride more. but if i kited in lighter winds for a 15m i would probably use it about the same as my 7m.

so i guess it really boils down to, where are you going to ride most? SI and coast, or stevenson and gorge?

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 844 Posts Opinionated

Thanks[/quote]

"Make up your mind dude, is he going to shit? Or is he going to kill us?" Movie quote anyone?

[/quote]

Spicolli - Fast Times, after they crashed the football player's car.

"First he's gonna shit, then he's gonna kill us!"

stringer · Since 31 Jul 2007 694 Posts Chucktown Flying Tomato

Thanks for the advice guys!
Probably will go for a 7m. We're pretty spoiled up here in the summer aren't we.

My bad Adam. He is less than 160, probably closer to 150.
He has grown alot. Almost as tall as me now!!
He says hes gained 25-30lbs since last summer Shocked

!

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

If you need bigger than a 13 I would get one of those blow out 17.5 machines new for 299.99. way better ride than my 15 fuel. And I ride all fuels ( except for the 17.5) and maybe a occasional caution. my 17 machine has been the holy grail many times on the snow from crater to skyline and haggin and back the 17.5 has seen lots of snow.
just ditch the long bag for a shorter bag and the 17.5 almost is a reasonable bulk.

boredbrain · Since 16 Feb 2006 352 Posts Hood River Obsessed

Buy a 7m and then the 299 Machine.

Buy surfboards and get some salt water

jake Olson · Since 25 Feb 2008 16 Posts eatonville

is the 9m fuel the go to money kite in the gorge?
i weigh 180 and im giving my 10m and 14m rebels to a friend
ive held down my 10m in about 40 mph
i just want to know if i need 7,9,13 or 7,13 or 9,13 or maybe just a 11 and a surf
im just not sure what to expect coming from kites with such a huge wind range

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

Being 180lbs, you might be able to get a bit more out of the 9, but there will definately be times when you want a 7m... At least for comfortable riding.

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

i was gonna say an 11m would be the goto kite for the gorge @ 180lbs. that is what i rode 85% of the time last year weighing 185lbs. i think the 9m is the goto kite for people weighing ~160 - 175.

of course it does depend where you ride. definately an 11m for the event site / sand bar, but would probably prefer a 9m for out east.

boredbrain · Since 16 Feb 2006 352 Posts Hood River Obsessed

The money kite is the 11m Fuel, the rest are gravey, carry more boards and you will be ok. If you got the extra coin a 9m and 7m.

The PNW is all over the place. from 10-15, 15-30, 25-50.

Ideal is to own every size 5,7,9,11,13. Boards: Twin Tips; 129, 136, 151, surfboards;5'0" swallow, 5'6" Fish, 6'2 squashtail, 9' longboard