What should be my 2nd kite

[michaellev1407]

Hi all,

I started kiteboarding about 1.5 years ago in Israel and bought there my first gear, a 14m f-one bandit 6 with a 142x40 cm twin tip f-one board. When I bought my kite, I was hesitating between the 14m and the 12m but I ended up buying the 14m because I thought it would be easier to start with a bigger kite. The wind in Israel rarely gets very strong (15-20 knots) but I didn't feel comfortable using my 14m on strong wind days. I think that I would though with a 12m. Anyways, I now moved to Houston and I went to the Texas city Levee spot a couple of times these past couple of months and tried a smaller kite, the North Neo 8m add absolutely loved it. I'm thinking of getting my second kite but I am hesitating between a 9m and a 10m. I'm thinking to stick with the bandit (or maybe try a different brand) but I would like to get some of your advice regarding whether i should get a 9m or a 10m.

Btw, I'm 6'-2 and weigh 187lbs.

Thanks,

Michael

[tmcfarla]

I'd probably get a 10, as the gap between 10 and 14 is very do-able, but I wouldn't want much bigger. The benefit of getting another bandit is that it makes choosing the size of the next kite a little easier. I don't find switching between different brands of kites at all problematic, but figuring out the size gaps can be tricky as some kites fly a bit big, and some a bit small.

Also worth noting that most modern kites won't safely release on your f-one bar (assuming you have an f-one bar), so if you get something other than a bandit, be prepared to buy another bar as well. Most modern kites release to a single center line, f-one is one of the rare exceptions (and they may have changed this in the past year, I'm not sure).

[michaellev1407]

Thanks for the reply tmcfarla!!!

What do you think my upper wind safe limit is going to be with a 10m compared to a 9m?

[TomW]

At your weight get a 10. 10 & 14 is standard 2 kite quiver.
Paradox is that beginner kiters want to reduce investment, choosing as few kites as possible, but actually you need more kites because lower skill level means you get less range from each kite, both upper and lower end.
But it depends on your local conditions.
Where I kite, a beginner really should have 9-12-15 quiver to maximize days out and have right size for the day.

no one can give you an answer on upper safe end of such small difference in kite size of 9 or 10. Also kite models vary, and site wind and water conditions.

Problem with getting a 9 is that it will be too small in lighter winds that may entice you to take your 14, and then you are over powered and have small safety margins to take care of wind increases, equipment failure or mostly : pilot error.

But look at normal published wind ranges and you will consistently see 2 knot difference in range between 9 and 10.

[dylan*]

14-9 is doable but 14-10 will be more comfortable. the wind at your spot determines how much of and overlap you want. here we get every strength so i am happy with a 12-10 combo because i can pick exactly the right kite.... other places i would have rather had 10-7 with a 17 or something.

but something like 14-10-8 or 14-10-7 is pretty standard. if you want more overlap for lighter wind (i.e. you dont want to ride the 14 all the time), 14-11-8 is common too.

[alford]

Paradox is that beginner kiters want to reduce investment, choosing as few kites as possible, but actually you need more kites because lower skill level means you get less range from each kite, both upper and lower end.

Excellent advice to heed!

[michaellev1407]

Thanks for the input guys. Much appreciated!

I think I'll follow your advice and go with my initial gut feeling and buy a Bandit 10m.

[FLandOBX]

Hey, michaellev1407, don't overlook the increased range you can get with a second board. Like others, I think the 14-10 meter kite size combination sounds good. If you also paired your existing board (142) with a smaller board (134-135), you'd get more riding time when the wind picks up.