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Light wind kite

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zamo27
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Light wind kite

Postby zamo27 » Mon May 25, 2020 6:59 pm

any suggestions on light wind kites looking at too many kites but i cant choose
i ride a twin tip and im 72kg wanting to kitesurf at 8-12 knots
i am looking at Core rx6LW, ocean rodeo flite or cabrihna contra
which do you recommend

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Re: Light wind kite

Postby andylc » Mon May 25, 2020 7:03 pm

Good luck at 8 knots on a twin tip. If you want any chance then it will have to be a foil kite.
I get on very well with a 13m F-one Breeze from 10 knots at 65kg, before that a 12m FS Soul probably had 1-2 knots of low end but I much prefer the handling of a light wind LEI. My guess is all of the light wind LEIs out there will perform similarly. As a lighter rider I wouldn’t go too big as the wind range will be small.

Dave_5280
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Re: Light wind kite

Postby Dave_5280 » Mon May 25, 2020 8:02 pm

Surfboard might help. I’ve got contras 15 and 17, never used the 17 and stopped taking it on trips but saw a landboarder using one nicely the other day so maybe I will finally pump it up. I really like the 15 and have had nice flat water sessions when others sat on the beach. Only 3 struts so it pumps up fast, goes up wind good, seems to turn fast enough for me. Way simpler bridle than a foil kite.

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Re: Light wind kite

Postby andylc » Mon May 25, 2020 8:23 pm

It’s possible I’ve not found the right board but I’ve never found a directional to help much in light wind.

Windigo1
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Re: Light wind kite

Postby Windigo1 » Mon May 25, 2020 8:53 pm

The flite is a great kite super light and quick turning for it's size. Before I started foiling I was riding in 8 knots all the time but that meant a Huge door board a 17m kite and lots of skills! Foiling is more fun but if you don't want to be bothered a Flite 17 and a door board will work!

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Re: Light wind kite

Postby grigorib » Mon May 25, 2020 9:05 pm

With a proper door board you should be able to ride 15m of any of these in 8-12 knots given there are no waves/current and with some luck a 13m should work too. Make sure you use long lines - that will help a lot. My choice would be Turbine but Contra/Flite/XR are great too.

At your weight 17m makes no sense. A good lightwind LEI kicks ass. While a foil kite would stay in the air in 3 knots I switched from foil to LEI because I could squeeze more turning speed and inertia out of LEI.

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Re: Light wind kite

Postby PullStrings » Mon May 25, 2020 11:10 pm

Look at the new Nexus 2 it has 3 struts like these other two kites
Wind range is of 7 to 19 knots for the 17 sqm
You don't appear to be a beginner since you have been on KF since 2009
At your weight a true wind of 8 to 12kn = average 10kn will be possible on a twin tip wide enough like 45-46-47 or48 wide
You should have no problem handling a 17 sqm and go all the way to 18 kn if you have already the experience to do so
My guess is that the sweet spot to be powered up nicely will be for you 12 kn on that kite which is still considered light wind

Dave_5280
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Re: Light wind kite

Postby Dave_5280 » Mon May 25, 2020 11:41 pm

Board wise take a look at the Litewave Wing Light Wind and there’s carbon fiber version. You probably already know a 19 Contra came out so bigger is available but I don’t think you need it.

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Re: Light wind kite

Postby Blackened » Tue May 26, 2020 4:50 am

Light wind TT is almost always just mowing the lawn. I ignored a few people and went through a couple LW kites/boards before I realised it just isn't fun. I'm sure they'll be plenty of people on here to say it's worth it, but personally I wouldn't bother or pick up foiling using existing kites.

If you're desperate to be out, stay with a normal kite in a larger size. Pick something that you're into and go for that kite. The XR would be perfect for lighter wind airstyle. You can probably ride a normal board in 12kn at your weight on a 15m with longer lines. It likely won't be fun until 15kn or so though.

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Re: Light wind kite

Postby Baptiste_FR » Tue May 26, 2020 10:29 am

Of course foiling is the most efficient way of riding in light wind. But it requires skills (and time). If you want instant fun, you can choose a Tiki (or Alaïa). A (very) long wood board (210cm and 230cm most commonly). Very efficient in light wind.


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