Large (16M ish) BOW/Flat kite

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 536 Posts Oregon Addicted

I am interested to hear what people think would be the best kite for a guy who is a beginner/Intermediate and weights 195. I am looking mostly for input on Bow/flat kites and why a particular kite would make the best choice. I am looking for information for a friend of mine. Any input would be very helpful especially from those of you that have flown and ridden several of the kites.

thanks for all you input and thoughts.

Ryan Very Happy

tch · Since 08 Aug 2005 17 Posts

Ryan - I have been researching this topic for the past couple of months and still haven't pulled the trigger on anything yet. Needless to say I haven't flown anything either so take this for what is worth. Tell your friend to take a hard look at the Ocean Rodeo One 16m www.oceanrodeo.com - look in the forum section for good info on the One and some specifics on the 16m regarding beginners.

From what I have seen this seems to be a good option - strong build and a really wide wind range for a guy around 195 lbs. Another bonus is that it is a PNW company and never a bad idea to support a brother Wink

Good luck and post any other findings. I'm trying to decide between a new kite or a new 6" travel mtb - if the kite wins I'm getting the OR.

kiteboard117 · Since 02 Mar 2005 450 Posts PDX McLovin

The slingshot turbodesiels are really good kites. great quaility and range plus the one pump wich on a big kite is really really nice to have. have you considered a lightwind board? the slingshot glide will get you out riding in the same wind if not less than a 16 meter bow. my biggest kite is a 12 meter turbodeisel and in the light stuff i just switch boards.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

It seems like the big kite craze at Sauvies may be ending. A 12m + Lightwind board like the SS Glide will work much earlier than a 16m and a regular board (this applies to bows or any C kite.)

Then when the wind comes up you don't even put your kite down, just come in and grab your small board and head back out to tear it up. Wind comes back down, grab the big board, and so on, and so on....

1 kite, 2 boards! Less pumping, more riding, and more time on smaller kites that are fun to fly. Thumb's Up

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1313 Posts Possessed

You ain't seen nothing yet!
Phillip, you need to come by and get this for your next
sauvies lightwind session.

You may not need anything bigger than a 9m.

-Hein

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

It's really that efficient Hein? I'm not doubting you by any means, but that's crazy if a 9m with that board will have you fully covered out there! I guess the last few times I was at Sauvies last summer weren't exactly considered light wind conditions (more like NO wind), especially as my 11 wouldn't even stay in the air... Wink

What kind of wind do you think your FlyWood along with a 9m would take to have a fun, decently powered ride? Excluding river current.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1313 Posts Possessed

I'd have to let you ride it so you can judge for yourself.

There needs to be a breeze of I'd say 13-15mph with no
significant holes. The water should be pretty flat with that
much wind but some spots develop a rolling chop that's
not going to help.

Kite speed and downloops in the transitions will keep you
going. You're actually storing energy in kitespeed as you
slowdown to change direction. Unhooking makes getting
the energy back at the right moment much easier. Kind
of the same feeling as when you get up on a wake board
behind a boat. Extend your arms and then pull in to transfer
power to the board. Being hooked in will severly limit your
low end.

The acceleration when a gust hits is unreal. You'll walk away
from bigger kites especially if you bear off a little. Or you can
go upwind at an angle you did not think possible. This board
has quite a bit of range on the top end as well. I've ridden
it with a 7m when guys are on 12s. It gets a little scary
on the hard fast landings and you'll go over the front a lot
until you get used to keeping the tips up.

I'm not sure this board will work unless you are on a small
kite. A big kite requires too much edging and that displaces
a larger volume of water which robs more energy. Remember
too that the power of a wing is proportional to the square of
the velocity. So a small kite going 40% faster is going
to generate as much power as a kite twice the size.

-Hein

edited for spelling

importracer9 99 · Since 27 Oct 2005 296 Posts Obsessed

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

I'm game Hein! I'll buzz you when I am in the hood.

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1153 Posts Oregon Phishy

Hein,
Have you returned from Texas yet?

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 536 Posts Oregon Addicted

Thats guys, how about some more feed back on the kite? I totally get the big board thing. that was very clear even in my windsurfing days. a larger board is assumed for my buddy. something in the 145-150 range just for daily riding.

I know there are lots of opinions out there on the bow/flat kite revolution i just want to hear what people have to say.

anybody ride the Contra yet?

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

Every year one of the companies comes out with thier new big lightwind kite that will "change the sport forever" or whatever. Reality is you can ride a 11m on snow or sand and go upwind in 10mph winds, so it must be about the board.

I think all the big kite fever is just about profit. The kite companies know they can sell big kites for twice as much as the smaller ones, and people will still buy. The reality is they don't cost that much more to make than the small ones, so the profit is huge. That versus selling you a board for much much less (and the profit margin on the boards is less too.)

The latest, greatest, most expensive big ass lightwind kite is still a big ass lightwind kite, and will never compare to a smaller kite.

Some people maybe like to feel more "lit" on the big kites, but you really aren't going upwind any faster, if anything getting upwind is more difficult than being more underpowered on smaller kites. You can get more hangtime and glide from big kites, but once you get used to jumping on the small kites the big kites just can't compare.

Hein's comment about smaller kites going faster and generating just as much power is so true.

Anyway, I will stop preaching now.