Flite sizing

[alford]

So 12 vs 17m 100kg. I can get going in 14 knots with the 12m and a bigger board and by working the kite. What can I expect from the 17m?

any input or guesses?

[randycasburn]

So 12 vs 17m 100kg. I can get going in 14 knots with the 12m and a bigger board and by working the kite. What can I expect from the 17m?

any input or guesses?

I'm 79kg.

For me, the 12m Flite has an incredible range of low 12 knots up to a max of about 21 knots (for me). I don't enjoy riding at either extreme. The sweet spot range for me is 15 - 19 knots.
The 17m has just as huge of a range too: Low about 9 knots up to about 18 knots for me. Like the 12m, the extremes are not fun. The sweet range for me on the 17m is 12 - 16 knots.
So you can see in the sweet spot ranges the 17m + 12m combo works really well for me.

If you're an upper intermediate rider with the right board (like a Mako 140 @ the upper range) then:

@100kg with a 17m @14 knots you'll be riding the same big board without signing the kite. @17 - 18 knots you'll be having a blast. You could probably switch down to the 12m @18 knots and carry that to 22 knots.

So what will you get from the 17m? Higher jumps with more hang time at the lower end and big air at the upper end on a kite that is still fun to fly very aggressively.

disclaimer: please don't go out there and hurt yourself based upon this naive suggestion. I don't know anything about your riding ability, etc. Going on weight alone is kinda silly. There are lots of us who are willing to let you try our stuff so you can gauge for yourself.

[alford]

@randycasburn, I see your quiver goes 8, 12, 17. How do you like the 8m-12m spacing?

[randycasburn]

@randycasburn, I see your quiver goes 8, 12, 17. How do you like the 8m-12m spacing?

It works well. However, I only get conditions for my 8m about three to four times per year. So I'm replacing my 8m with a Prodigy 9.5.

A cheap plug here, but I have all these kites for sale if you're interested. I upgrade my quiver every year.

[Digdawg]

I'm about 220 lbs and have used the 12m & 17m Flites for several years. I really enjoy both kites! Once in a while I'm on my 12 and would like a touch more power, so I grab a bigger board. And sometimes while on my 17 I want a bit faster turning kite, although I think the Flite has excellent turning speed for a 17m. This year I broke down and added the 14.5m. It wasn't necessary, but I've demoed it several times and I love it! It's the size I'm wanting most of the time.

It's a good problem to have - don't need the 14.5m. But I sure as hell like it, so I finally added it. With the 14.5's range I wonder if I shouldn't trade my 12 Flite for a 12 Prodigy, to deal with gutsy conditions (mostly snowkiting) . Although the 12 Flite has never let me down.

[alford]

Dida, good grief! I hear you though!

[alford]

Diga, good grief! I hear you though!

[Regis-de-giens]

Hello all,
Has anyone tried flite vs Airudh Ultra ? I wonder if sizes are equivalent and if upwind angle and speed are similar (should theoretically be in favor of flite , right ? )

[nothing2seehere]

Hello all,
Has anyone tried flite vs Airudh Ultra ? I wonder if sizes are equivalent and if upwind angle and speed are similar (should theoretically be in favor of flite , right ? )

When my flite 10m V4 was in for repairs (again ) I picked up an end of line v1 Ultra 9m. Very different flying characteristics and I like each for different parts.

The ultra pushes forwards in the window quite easily (probably why it doesn't jump quite so well) so I can't say if its worse for upwind angle. I haven't flown them back to back on the same day either so difficult to say for sure. Speed is better for the flite. It picks up apparent speed noticably better and probably just edges turning speed too. I have less of that feeling where - you feel nicely powered on a foil until you stop riding and suddenly notice how light it is - with the Ultra

But they are very different kites. Drift and hang in the air for the ultra are remarkable. Relaunch is better. More power through the turn too. This took me a little while to adapt but I'm used to it now and can't decide which style I like better now.

I'd hazard that for a higher aspect foil shape the flite would be more satisfying and for a slower surf style foil the ultra would work better

[GregK]

One important safety caution - if locking out your Flites, make sure to use a bar that flags out to a single front line when the chicken loop is released.

Don't use an older OR bar that flags out to both front lines, because locking out the pulleys disables the roll-over bridle function.