Decision on buying a contra 15m

[meusmeus]

Hi all,

I'm currently riding with a 11m North Evo. Im a beginner and this kite get me going from around 18 knots.

I currently weigh 100kg without gear on. Im making my weigh back to around 93kg.

I want to kite in winds from around 12 -17 knots. Im thinking of buying a 2017 Cabrinha Contra 15m. I hate the feeling of being overpowered.

Would the 15m be ok for me or is it maybe better to get a 14m Evo for example?

Thanks for your help!

[SolarSet]

You will not ride in 12kts on regular TT with you weight.
I’m 92kg and sb 14m lets me ride from 15kts with regular TT

[grigorib]

15m is awesome size and it’s proper 36% increase from your 11m size.
Also Contra is a proper lightwind kite so it will fly unless wind and deliver more power than a 14m freeride kite.

Use 10m line extensions with it for more power if you need it.

At my 200lbs I rode 15m kite on 37m lines with 170x50cm Flydoor in under 10 knots. You’ll be fine

EDIT: 37m, (not 39m as stated initially)

[andylc]

39m lines...!

[POACHER]

Hey I might be able to chime in and help you.

I've owned a Cab Contra 15m and an Evo 14 (last spring) I can tell you with absolute certainty that you will NOT be happy with an Evo 14 for your weight. It will not overpower, as the top end is great, but the low end is more similar to that of a many 12m kites I've flown. Can't speak for 2019, as my Evo was a North 2018. On the Contra, it's a good option. It is super easy to relaunch, has pretty good grunt and the top end wasn't too different from my buddy's Cab Switchblade 14m. It had a bit too much bar pressure for my liking, and was a bit slow turning, but overall I rate it decent for light wind kite. Maybe part of my bias on this kite was the bar too. It was that wonky spring thing with the adjustable bar ends that weighed about 100 pounds.....and sunk like it.

I'm currently on a Pivot 14m as my largest kite and I think it does everything the Contra did (including low end) but many things better. Top end, turning, bar pressure, kiteloops, relaunch, etc. With line extensions I can go out when most other kiters are on 15 and 17m kites. For reference I'm about 83k.

[meusmeus]

You will not ride in 12kts on regular TT with you weight.
I’m 92kg and sb 14m lets me ride from 15kts with regular TT

What do you think the wind range will be for my weight?

[grigorib]

39m lines...!

The longest I tried were 59m. 15m looks tiny that high up but it was just not helping much

[Exal]

You will not ride in 12kts on regular TT with you weight.
I’m 92kg and sb 14m lets me ride from 15kts with regular TT

What do you think the wind range will be for my weight?

All depends on your gear and skill. My brother came in at a solid 125kg and he was able to ride upwind at, lets say 17 knots but I think it was 16 knots, using a 135x41 twintip in flat water conditions with a 10m 2018 neo. Maybe it was 16 to 18 knots but he was going and having fun. I am fairly certain that a 12m neo would've been a beast for him.
Damn, I just checked it with the pictures and it was on this day, the wind graph is fairly accurate, since the station was close to the spot where we were: http://prntscr.com/my05p7

[Toby]

definitely get a bigger kite with your weight.
the better you get the more power you want in your kite.

Don't worry about being overpowered. Beyond 20 kts you will be as a not experienced rider.
An experienced rider can handle a 15 sqm even up to 30 knots.

So, go for it and enjoy the lighter wind sessions!

[FLandOBX]

+1. I agree with Toby. For a 100 kg rider, bigger would be better, especially for lighter wind. Have you considered the Contra 17 m? It's a great kite for lighter wind, and it has lots of range. I like the 15 m Contra, too, but I prefer the 17 m (I'm 80 kg). You won't regret having the extra size in light wind.

The only issue with the Contra 17 for you might be that your other kite is 11 m, so there's quite a gap. You can bridge the gap with a variety of boards. But when the wind is light, I think you'd enjoy the Contra 17.