Kite for light wind - Recommendations

[randycasburn]

Read this thread:

Hello Everyone,

[snip....]

I love my 2015 14.5m Flite; and don't love my 2011 14m Screamer, ymmv

And no regard for current.

[WindJunkieFL]

I can't speak for old Contras, but new Contras have virtually no bar pressure and are excellent for light wind. I don't like single or 5 strut LW kites, I've tried the Velocity (5 strut) and the LF Wow (1 strut), both have more disadvantages than advantages. The Contra's 3 strut is perfect and always gets me out there in 10-15mph of winds.

[leanin]

If you decide to expand your options beyond the three originally listed, I'd recommend a 17m Slingshot Turbine. I've been very happy with its light wind performance

[docjibe]

The LF Wow is 3 struts, Solo is 1 strut

[WindJunkieFL]

The LF Wow is 3 struts, Solo is 1 strut

Ah! Correct, I flew the Solo in the past, not the Wow, thanks

[apollo4000]

Blade Fat Lady

[grigorib]

Of the list you sent only the Fly is the LW kite but it's about as much of a not great wing as the Roca (which is not even a LW kite at all).
14m Rally could be your LW kite but only if you weigh under 140 lbs.

Depending on your weight and riding conditions (consider waves and currents) I'd suggest Contra 13/15/17 or Turbine 13/15/17 or Core XR LW 15/17.
if you're in <150 lbs it'll be 13m size, 150-200 lbs - 15m, 200+ lbs 17m. If currents and waves are significant you might want to size it up. Note that OR Flite kites are reported to be smaller than the number on them.

At my 200 lbs the best LW kite I've ever ridden was 15m Turbine on 30-37m lines and with 170x50cm Flydoor. That for calm, flat water.

Having a large door board is a huge help and a first step for riding LW just as 7-10m line extensions. Having these two will extend lowend range of your 11m significantly too.

[iriejohn]

As I said in the 6th post in this thread ....

What about Ozone's Zephyr (17m) which is a purpose designed light wind kite?

[SENDIT!]

Of the list you sent only the Fly is the LW kite but it's about as much of a not great wing as the Roca (which is not even a LW kite at all).
14m Rally could be your LW kite but only if you weigh under 140 lbs.

Depending on your weight and riding conditions (consider waves and currents) I'd suggest Contra 13/15/17 or Turbine 13/15/17 or Core XR LW 15/17.
if you're in <150 lbs it'll be 13m size, 150-200 lbs - 15m, 200+ lbs 17m. If currents and waves are significant you might want to size it up. Note that OR Flite kites are reported to be smaller than the number on them.

At my 200 lbs the best LW kite I've ever ridden was 15m Turbine on 30-37m lines and with 170x50cm Flydoor. That for calm, flat water.

Having a large door board is a huge help and a first step for riding LW just as 7-10m line extensions. Having these two will extend lowend range of your 11m significantly too.

Disclaimer: I sell all of these...

I have never, EVER, heard anyone say that the Flite's are smaller than the number on them. I sell, ride, and own them and have for years. We did a comparison on a lot of these kites some years ago (yes, we are due for another one anytime now ) and the Flite not only held it's ground against the Light Wind champs like the Turbine and Contra, but was the first choice of all those that tested it that day. You can see that review here:





To the OP:
At 235 pies, I can hardly afford an ok light wind kite if I'm going to ride a twin tip. I agree that a large door type board will also make a hell of a difference, and for me, even more than a surfboard. The Flite is responsive and fun to fly, but without giving up power. No one wants to fly the very largest kites they can, so when you have to, at least having one that turns quickly helps to be fun. On a separate note, I have enjoyed flying much smaller kites in light wind now that I'm foiling. For large humans like me, that's a real game changer.

[grigorib]

...

I believe I saw the details of measurements here.
http://kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1& ... e#p1028772

Also a friend, less experienced can somehow ride 12m OR when we’re blown off with the 9m.

Regardless, the Flites are light and I only heard nice things about them. Never had a chance to ride one though and since my biggest kite is 11m now I am off the market of large LW kites - those are not as much pleasure to foil with.

235 lbs is a solid candidate for 17m the least I’d say, maybe 19m would do better.