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A15m for a heavier guy

Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2019 5:51 pm
by Bille
*I weigh 205 to 210 Lb , (94kg)

* I use 140 TT and 5'5" swallow tip directional, for kiting.

*I can expect a wind change of 14-28-mph , ( 12 to 25 knots) ; and
that's gonna happen about 4 to 7 times a day on East Lake Mead , and
Lake Mohave. I don't want 2 different kites for typical day use.
My 13m Ozone Edge, can handle that range easy ; especially on the top
end, if it goes to 30-mph. While i'm waiting out a lull in the water ; i can
keep it in the air , down to about 6-knots

Learned on a PL foil kite in 2003; bin actively flying them ever since. Tuning the
newer kites should be a quick learning curve seeings how my PG has 51 cells
and the lines & mixers, must be maintained for every flight. 33 cells is a
rather low count, for a PG.

1) Will the A15 handle that wind range, with my weight ; if so
how many meter kite should i get ?

2) i have both 4, and 5-line Ozone bar 55cm , (22 and 27m,Q-power lines) ; will
that work, or go for the ready to fly kite ?

Those prices , are Great at Panish !!!!!!!

Thanks : Bille

Re: A15ME for a heavier guy

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 12:36 am
by foilholio
That is a tough wind range to cover for one kite. It can be done but you will be changing styles a lot in it. I guess the A15 could do it but it would come down to size. I am similar to you and for me for that wind I would use a 10m for which 12knots is pushing it and 25knots a bit, unless I want to go big. In reality I will use about 4 sizes across that range, which are capable to go well below and above that wind strength. I only have the A15 in 18m. With it on surfboard I like 8 to 15knots, hydrofoil 3-4 to 12knots. I have ridden it in 25knots but that was far from usable, I had trouble holding it standing on the beach.

I know it's not what you want but given the price advantage you should invest in at least 2 kites. I guess a 12m would be close to what you want in one kite, it could pair with an 18m or 15m. Alternately the 9 and 12. I like 10 and 15 with foils, but the A15 only has the 9m. A 9m and 15m may work on a hydrofoil but I don't think on a surfboard. I think buy one kite with a mind on a second.

Re: A15ME for a heavier guy

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 3:20 am
by jakemoore
Do you like flying Edges? Do you particularly like a kite that makes a big increase in lift when you pull the bar,
A kite that depoweres almost immediately, and a kite that turns reasonably fast for its high aspect?

Know that A15me is a very different kite to the Edge.

Re: A15ME for a heavier guy

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 4:36 am
by ToeKnee
Hi Billie, I'm 175lbs., wear a 5/3 wetsuit and impact vest (additional weight when wet). I have the A15MEs in 9, 12 and 15 meters. Ride a 6'X17" alaia, an old 5-3 LF Fish and rarely a 147x47 tt on a gusty inland lake. Really missing my 6'2" thruster finned surfboard with a front strap (busted the fins off last summer as the reservoir dropped to historic low level). Rode the 12m last 2 afternoons, check Gunnison airport for those wind conditions, nearly overpowered yesterday, the gustier day. 25m lines.
These kites have a huge trim range and deserve a custom bar with lots o trim rope, or a 'pulley bar' (got that on the 15, gonna make one for the 12). Don't expect them to turn well on a conventional bar while fully sheeted in, pull the bar in momentarily and fishpole to turn it.
I cannot believe how well these kites are holding up! Over 4 years use 9 and 12m kites, both snow and water usage, just starting to lose airtightness, no bridle adjustments needed. I have broken several of those long skinny bridle lines, but none since I became more patient during setup, making sure there's no tangles. I always hot launch and land them, not many kiters here. Always try to modulate the hot landings so as not to bounce them hard.
So, I got the 15 meter A15me in ultralight build last August. Wished I saved the $ and got the normal build, they're not heavy anyway and I like the blow-off valves which aren't on the ultralights.
Fine kites so cheap, and reassuring to know if I ever get caught in "the huge gust front", a double release is not costly. Kept the 5th line safeties on the 9 and 15, 12m has single front line safety now, but haven't tested that in REAL conditions.
I'd suggest get the 12m and a 6' board, add the 15m if you like the 12 (free shipping!)
p.s. Conditions finally permitted a flight on the Atos, 40th season!

Re: A15ME for a heavier guy

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 7:46 am
by downunder
Edge.

I sold all my foils. It's not about them, but me :) I love pumping the kite, get that six pack, and not to swim in. All my buddies were swimming in at some stage. Not me. Hate it.
Foils are fine, nice to fly, but the benefits for recreational kiter are low. Plus, ex-PG pilot, fine with bridles, etc.

Re: A15ME for a heavier guy

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 10:55 am
by joriws
> can expect a wind change of 14-28-mph , ( 12 to 25 knots) ;

I am 15kg heavier than you Bille and that range for me is working with single foil kite, Flysurfer Speed4 Lotus 10. Naturally not very lit up at 12kn but I can go on a speedy TT or surfboard or HF. I also used Speed3 12DLX and used it at the same range and even more on high end, 26kn gust to 32kn. Well, I've been out on Speed3 15DLX when others used 7m LEIs or 21m Speed3 when wind meter showed 26kn near-by. So it is doable but a matter of your personal preference. All my mentioned kites fly at 6kn wind at lulls. Today I'd be interested in Soul-range.

About Pansh I cannot tell about the actual wind range. I'd say 13 meterish size if behaviour is similar to older Flysurfers. As you have Edges, howabout Hyperlinks? I know they cost more than Pansh but they might have less hassle, fly directly from factory package.

Re: A15ME for a heavier guy

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 4:54 pm
by Bille
I thanked , everyone who bothered to post an answer ; different
prospective-s , help make a decision, and ALL opinions are worth considering !!

Last time i was in a 35 gust 40-mph wind ; i started with a 2009 11m Edge
which could handle the wind cause the LE is way smaller diameter than the newer
Edges ; but i came in and traded the 11m out for a (10m PL Venom) which
could handle the Gusts way better. You see ; i Like variety !

Wish i could afford more than (1) kite but i'm dumping a lot of money into my
Hobie 21se , by adding a 3'rd hull, and outboard motor. It will still be a sailboat
but i WANT a floating , pop-Top trailer, that i can go kite-camping on East
lake Mead. It's got the cleanest water of most any inland lake in the continental
USA ; and the wind is every bit as good as Mohave , (with "NO" people on the beaches)
and nearly nobody on the water !!!! Even the fishing is Awesome . :D

Two people mentioned , start with the 12m ; so the 12 it is .

ToeKnee saved me the money on the bar, with his post ; i have
a 55cm bar for the Edge, that already has the pulley, for the back-lines
so i can double the turning, and sheeting range.

My directional , use to be a 6' board ; then i cut 6" off the back
and turned it into a swallow-tail.

About that Atos --------------------------------- (i'm WAY jealous) :D ; but
i'm OK with my Exxtacy !!!
42 seasons , for Me :thumb:

Bille



ToeKnee wrote:
Mon Jun 10, 2019 4:36 am
Hi Billie, I...
...
These kites have a huge trim range and deserve a custom bar with lots o trim rope, or a 'pulley bar' (got that on the 15, gonna make one for the 12). Don't expect them to turn well on a conventional bar while fully sheeted in, pull the bar in momentarily and fishpole to turn it.
...

I'd suggest get the 12m and a 6' board, add the 15m if you like the 12 (free shipping!)
p.s. Conditions finally permitted a flight on the Atos, 40th season!

Re: A15ME for a heavier guy

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2019 5:41 pm
by collider
Billie - don't bother with the Pansh bar (looks like you already decided that) - it's serviceable if you really need a cheap bar, but pretty much garbage. The QR is the old style PL pull, you may as well use your venom bar :D Save the $ for your awesome houseboat!

Used to love watching the Atos and Swift guys fly around. Launch off Ellenville always looked a little hairy, but those things were beautiful in the air. New ones look amazing.

Re: A15ME for a heavier guy

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 3:34 am
by Bille
I needed 2 kt more wind , for my 15-M Ozone C4 yesterday ; plowed water
with both the TT , and the directional, with that kite. Now my
EGO and thigh's Hurt.

Will the 15M, A-15 , pull my heavy ass (210Lb) in 11Kt wind ; or
should i be looking for a used Flysurfer something ?

I,m about to pull the trigger on a bigger kite ; but really don't
want a bigger LEI.

Bille

Re: A15m for a heavier guy

Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 6:46 am
by foilholio
A 15m A15 should have a lot more power than a 15m C4 maybe like a 19m C4, but for 11Kt you will be much happier on a bigger kite than 15m, like 18 or 19 but 15 will get you going. If using only one kite 15m is a better size than bigger. The bigger the kite the less range.