Kite size for 10-16 knots - a beginner foiler

[Mundek]

Hey, easy question and short topic I hope..

I am a beginner foiler, can fly both ways but only few successful jibes so far. I want to practice more in 10-16 knots.. I tried with my 9 and 12 but they are heavy (12m is almost 4kg). I'm not having that much fun when I need think so much about keeping it in the air.

I can pick up a cheap used single strut kite in either 9m, 10m or 11m. I have good offers. Seems like one of these sizes should be the ticket to having fun . I just have trouble choosing. I was fairly set on the 11m but after reading forum I am confused. I won't be doing 2-4 loops to water start yet, so I don't want the smallest as possible kite.

Can you offer any advice? I weigh 95kg, ride Cabrinha Hi:Rise Carve on about 20l board.

[Blackened]

I just went through the same journey at the same weight. Low end of single struters is amazing, so I went with a 9m. It doesn't work for me in 10-12kn and being shit at foiling. I'd definitely go 10m instead of the 9m to do over again.

[1234567Simon]

As a beginner I took the Same Kite size that I would take for Twin Tip (Just beeing able to go upwind)..... Much easier.....

9knots is hard....
12 knots I started with regular three strut 12m.... (75kg)

Now with 12knots I take an 8meter
At 16knots I also Like 8m (6meter possible)

9 knots..... Wow, very very little wind , single strut 10meter....

[rnelias]

I just went through the same journey at the same weight. Low end of single struters is amazing, so I went with a 9m. It doesn't work for me in 10-12kn and being shit at foiling. I'd definitely go 10m instead of the 9m to do over again.

at 95kg I think 10m would be better

I'm 75kg and 9m 1-struct works well for me from 9 to 16k knots.

[Peter_Frank]

Get a 10 m2 one strut

Peter

[Mundek]

Awesome, seems like the consensus is 10m thanks for your advices!

[MadDoggy]

I also came to this forum some time back faced with pretty much the same question and I too ended up being suggested a 10m kite. I’m 100kg. It seems to be sweet spot first kite size for a heavier first lei foiling kite. I went with the section 4 though, which it s a three strut surf kite. Having to split my time between recreation and a 9 month old Bub, I haven’t been able to get out much lately but it will get easier…

[junebug]

If money is no object, I would go with an 11m and 8m at your weight and experience for that range. A 10m in 16kn is going to be a lot to handle. For comparison's sake, I'm 90kg and I ride a 5m in 16 kn.

If you are just going to get one kite, I agree with others that a 10m is probably best. Just make sure your depower strap works.

[20knotFLOW]

Hey, easy question and short topic I hope..

I am a beginner foiler, can fly both ways but only few successful jibes so far. I want to practice more in 10-16 knots.. I tried with my 9 and 12 but they are heavy (12m is almost 4kg). I'm not having that much fun when I need think so much about keeping it in the air.

I can pick up a cheap used single strut kite in either 9m, 10m or 11m. I have good offers. Seems like one of these sizes should be the ticket to having fun . I just have trouble choosing. I was fairly set on the 11m but after reading forum I am confused. I won't be doing 2-4 loops to water start yet, so I don't want the smallest as possible kite.

Can you offer any advice? I weigh 95kg, ride Cabrinha Hi:Rise Carve on about 20l board.

I second the 10M option. I am about your weight at 210Lbs. My 10M Slingshot SST is mint for that wind range.. at 10knots Im golden (took a bit to dial her in though) at 16knots Im dumping power off the SST (which they are known for) I did want/need to bump up my front wing option to a 1200cm kit once I did that my Crazy fly/Slingy SST kit came alive. Best thing going.. its the best. If I could be on my kitefoil rig everyday I think I would.

[Mundek]

Thanks for more input! I will prioritize the 10m, but I am buying used. 10m is an Airush Ultra v3 and 11m would be 01 Contra 1s. Not sure if this makes any substantial difference. If Airush turns out to leak air when I inspect it (or there is a different issue), I'll look at the 11m Contra or wait for another 10m to pop out on the used market.

I'm buying only one kite, but I do have a nice and light 7m 3 strut that I'll use once this kite tops out. If the gap will be too big, for now my heavy 9m will do.