kiteboards

mkiteboard · Since 23 Oct 2007 17 Posts

im looking at buying a new kiteboard and i am wanting to know what everyone is likeing. i am thinking a more freestyle type board that can cruise up wind.

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

I'm giving all my love to the thorn. I liked last years very very much, took it to Norway and sold it there..the exchange rate is PRETTY good if you're selling stuff abroad..and not bringin it across saved me a lot on airfare. The new thorn it is a little different than last years. A lot more rounded and easier to ride. Excels in choppy and flat conditions, it is fairly wide and has good low end, and very flexy with all wood..I've had some nice sessions in waves with it, and had one of the longest rides down the line on it (don't ask why I wasn't on a surfboard..I didn't bring them..can't say why)...but a fun ride for sure.

Nice balanced and good pop, and nice carvy feel, but a lot easier on the limbs..the footstraps are super nice and there is no spray in the face. If you have a chance to ride it do so. The width will make it a little easier landing unhooked "tricks"......which I have not tried yet..mostly due to the spots where I have ridden it.

oh, and yeah I think it races upwind. They've made last years hardcore board a lot more accessible and rounded. Smile

A.

Sol-flyer · Fri Nov 09, 07 9:22 am

naish right?

i cant explain how much flip-tips are key.....go with something like BRUNOTTI Wink

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

You can feel/see the difference in flip-tips? My Pro-X and Lunacy are almost identical in overall shape, but one has flip-tips and the other doesn't. Overall I get sprayed less on the Lunacy, granted the sidewall and fin placement are different...

Sol-flyer · Fri Nov 09, 07 9:38 am

The shape of the 07' pro-x looks very simular to the SS misfit (lunacy to? idk)

My other ride is a 06' Gaastra force 125, Compared to that its literally night an day.

landing k-loops with speed is a breeze, and even landing in the chops is comfert-able. Pearling is almost non existent. great pop, poplar wood core feels strong.

i did noticed the spray factor, dosent help to be short Wink

I also changed out the fins to 1.5 and it made a huge difference. The front (heel edge) fin dosent catch as much and it provides the skat-e feel i love....i might go to 1.0 for more.

one side effect i can tell is hard landings, it dosent give much. But thanks to LQ LUXURY pads, not all is lost

sentone · Since 10 Feb 2006 66 Posts

from the looks of your avatar your on the right track.....next stop the web store not sure if there up and running....but all the 08 stuff is hopefully inroute....hell the o7 stuff is sick and deals are probley going on they cover tip to toe on boards......cant go wrong ......if ya can wait go 08..... if not grab what ya can 07......not sure where your at but a drive in would set you free......... Exclamation

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Flip tips are nice... I think they are hard to do right and that's a big reason you don't see them on a lot of boards. They are more for saving you from pearling then saving on spray.

in waves = Thumb's Up

in chop =

sticking big tricks landing on equally weighted on your front / back legs = Thumb's Up

But again they are tough to do, proper flip tips will not ever come in contact with the water unless you are pearling. You want a clean release, like the tip is not even there, otherwise you get massive drag.

Really love my flip-tipped Hein board... good luck getting one though, Hein's too busy kiting. Wink

What you probably can get and I would recommend to everyone is some of Hein's designed straps/pads from NSI, they are sick - super cush and grippy. Nice toe ridge, and arch support. Made from memory foam that starts to mold to your foot after awhile. They really ruin you for stock stuff.

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

I thought they were for "hydrodynamic fluidity"... haha!

"Hydrodynamic fluidity is achieved through the use of the flip nose on both tips, providing a clean water exit and therefore smooth ride."

Sol-flyer · Fri Nov 09, 07 12:26 pm

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

It's hard to see from this angle, but it looks like they may have mellowed it down slightly on the '07s..?

Sol-flyer · Fri Nov 09, 07 1:03 pm

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

Here's some pages on construction & effects for DC kiteboards - very interesting:

Kiteboard Info
Surfboard Info

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

the flip tip with the steps like that would go agaist my" god given" logical ideas of hydrodynamic fluidity.

Or maybe those powers have been reposessed Crying or Very sad

Is it harder to stay up wind on those flippers??

Sol-flyer · Fri Nov 09, 07 8:43 pm

hydrodynam-achiga ma thing- step cap does not disrupt flow, at least from what i can tell....i havent gotten down there to look while riding Idea

.

planes upwind good, lots of surface space. for me it works as a moderate/light wind board as well. But i actually like to just size down and send it. Evil or Very Mad