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RobLewis
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kite size advice

Postby RobLewis » Fri Oct 08, 2021 8:57 am

Hi all

I am happy with my 10sqm Ozone Catalyst V1 2018 kite in the 17-23 knts range but need something smaller for the stronger wind days. I was thinking about 7sqm. Any advice? And/or recommendations for good second hand models?

I am intermediate level, 77kg and have a Twintip Liquid Force DLX 134cm board.

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Re: kite size advice

Postby leeuwen » Fri Oct 08, 2021 11:14 am

Depends a bit on what you want your upper limit to be.
I personally found that a 7m dropped me like stone on jumps, 8m is a lot better (for me those where both XRs).
I can ride my 8m to about 40 knots but needs proper edging skills to be able to do that, keep the kite low etc.
Above 40kn I call it quits anyway.

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Re: kite size advice

Postby Havre » Fri Oct 08, 2021 12:17 pm

I'm a bit heavier so can't really comment much on the specific sizing. In terms of gaps I guess 10 and 7 works, but that is quite a gap. I would be more inclined going for 10 and 8, but it depends on type of kite, how you like to ride etc. Both combinations will work - just a question on how much overlap you like to have.

My first kite was a Catalyst as well. Depends a bit on how you like to ride, but the Enduro is a nice upgrade from the Catalyst when you have moved from the beginner phase. Easy to use the same bar and they are made for the same line length (even if you can very well ride other kites with that bar as well - assuming you got an Ozone bar). The Catalyst basically became the Enduro back in the day when they modified the Catalyst to become more "beginner friendly".

Enduro would be an allround kind of kite. If you are more into jumping then you might want to consider the Edge. Not that the Enduro doesn't jump, it jumps well, but the Edge is a more pure "big air" kite. In your weight class I would probably be more inclined to go for the Enduro-type kite, but that will mostly come down to personal preferences.

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Re: kite size advice

Postby andylc » Fri Oct 08, 2021 2:23 pm

10 and 7 is a perfect combo for me (plus 13 for light wind). Plenty of crossover.
Also every quiver should have a 7. The most funnest size imho.

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Re: kite size advice

Postby Flyboy » Fri Oct 08, 2021 6:25 pm

There's no such thing as a "funnest" size, as it all depends what conditions you are riding in & the characteristics of the particular kite. I used to have 12m, 9m, 7m, 5m & really liked using the 7m best ... then got a 8m & a 6m. I really like the 6m now. :thumb: I'm riding a SB - when I'm not on my foil - so I'm on the 6m in 25 knots & the 5m in 30 knots.

To the OP 10m to 7m is a reasonable gap ... if you're going with a 2 kite quiver. If you think you're going to want to ride in stronger winds, I'd get a an 8m & then a 6m. But I agree with Leeuwen: smaller kites don't give you much float if you're going for big air.

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Re: kite size advice

Postby iriejohn » Fri Oct 08, 2021 7:14 pm

7m

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Re: kite size advice

Postby Peter_Frank » Fri Oct 08, 2021 9:15 pm

If you dream about having a 3 kite quiver one day, and maybe want to ride surfboards or hydrofoils, then you should get an 8 m2.

So you can add a 6 later, and you can ride "everything" now, and the 8 will not drop you like a rock, like a 7 will a tad more on the TT.

If you are quite sure you only want a 2 kite quiver, and dont care about hangtime when windy, go for the 7 m2.

8) Peter

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Re: kite size advice

Postby Archer77 » Sat Oct 09, 2021 1:00 pm

I have Catalyst V1 too in 12, 9, 7m sizes bought progressively during my skill level developing

then I took a 10m EdgeV10, and now I'm thinking to a 8m EdgeV11 as next kite

having multiple sizes do more than different models, when I was beginner I was always using the bigger size possible for my skill because was making me going upwind better, now I like to be more centered, the comfort and fun is far better and now my skill permit me to go upwind also underpowered... and where I kite is very gusty with lulls too so...

All depend from the winds of your preferred location, from your skills and your preferred style

as told in previous comments Enduro and Edge are both very good and super fun kites for intermediates and upper level, Enduro more cross over to freestyle, freeride and wave riding, the Edge more specific for performance freeride and jumping

if you are thinking to start hydrofoil in future an Alpha V2 8m could make two use, with TT around 25 knots(better not too gusty) and around 14 knots with the HF, very good range to start HF

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Re: kite size advice

Postby mountain_lake » Sat Oct 09, 2021 1:11 pm

I agree to what the others stated. Depends a lot on the conditions you ride in e.g. how often will you use the seven? I did this split before having 7 10 12. And it was not a problem at all, but it means being slightly overpowered on the 10 from time to time. But at my home spots I seldom need the seven the same for my holiday destinations. Except I go to Brazil.... Now I'm back to a 7, 9, 12 quiver. In short, it's doable without a problem, but an eight sqm kite would probably be better...

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Re: kite size advice

Postby rleshem » Sat Oct 09, 2021 3:02 pm

If you are on a twintip the 8 will be good til 30 mph gusting upper thirties but will be ideal at average 25 mph- 30mph.

I live in a string wind area and have a 10-8 and it’s perfect.
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