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Foilboarding Kite Sizes

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njrider
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Foilboarding Kite Sizes

Postby njrider » Tue Jun 04, 2019 11:29 pm

I bought a Naish Boxer 9m and I see why they work so well for foiling. I would like to buy an even smaller kite and was hoping that someone could give me suggestions on the next appropriate size down. I was thinking 6 or 7 meter. Thanks

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Re: Foilboarding Kite Sizes

Postby SimonP » Tue Jun 04, 2019 11:42 pm

Go 6m. Once there is real wind, you can drop kite sizes really quickly.
I have 12, 9, 7, and 5m and the 9 and 7m have way too much overlap. A 5m is often too powerful when it is over 25 knots depending on the foil.
I reckon the ideal foiling kite quiver would be 12, 9, 6, 4m.

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Re: Foilboarding Kite Sizes

Postby flaps1111 » Wed Jun 05, 2019 12:06 am

Yes I would go for 6m. But I suppose it's the depend on the kite, I was like you between 7m or 6m finally I bought a 6m Airush ultra and I'm amazed how I can foil when other go with 12m. With more than 20 knots I would use even a smaller kite

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Re: Foilboarding Kite Sizes

Postby drsurf » Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:53 am

I have the 5m Boxer and I'm amazed at its wind range. I'm 65kg and I can use it comfortably in 10-15 knots of steady wind with a Moses 633 foil. 20 knots and it's even good with a twin tip.
Being able to use small kites with a foil is a big part of the fun. Small kites are fast and responsive and can give you a good spike of power to get you up on the foil from where you don't need as much power.
I would try the boxer 5 and 6 first before making a decision.

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Re: Foilboarding Kite Sizes

Postby tmcfarla » Wed Jun 05, 2019 1:16 pm

For me, 6 is my favorite size of 4,6,8,10 quiver. My 4m and 10m see very little use. My 6m wave kite is good from about 15-25 knots at 70 kg with a small-ish foil, with a bit of leeway on each end. I like the overlap I get from 6m + 8m, but could definitely handle a 6-9 or 5-8 quiver. A 4m jump might be a bit much though. I think you should get either a 6 or 7, based on which you think you will use more in your conditions. If you get a 7, you will likely need a 5 in the future, while a 6 could be your smallest kite. On the other hand, if 7m is going to be your bread and butter kite with your conditions, weight and foil size, don’t skip that size.

Your weight, skill level, local conditions, and foil size play a significant role in wind range. Other talk about foiling with a 5m in 10 knots, there is no way I could use my 6m in 10 knots (with reasonable skill and light weight), maybe a different story if I used a big surf foil though.

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Re: Foilboarding Kite Sizes

Postby junebug » Wed Jun 05, 2019 2:10 pm

njrider wrote:
Tue Jun 04, 2019 11:29 pm
I bought a Naish Boxer 9m and I see why they work so well for foiling. I would like to buy an even smaller kite and was hoping that someone could give me suggestions on the next appropriate size down. I was thinking 6 or 7 meter. Thanks
I would suggest that you should consider your normal conditions and pick the kite that is best for your average day. I have 9m and 7m WOWs that I use for foiling. There is overlap, yes, but we have a lot of 13/14kn days where I live and the 7m is perfect for me for those conditions, whereas a 6m would be a little too underpowered for me and my gear.
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Re: Foilboarding Kite Sizes

Postby Peter_Frank » Wed Jun 05, 2019 3:36 pm

tmcfarla wrote:
Wed Jun 05, 2019 1:16 pm
Snip...

Your weight, skill level, local conditions, and foil size play a significant role in wind range. Other talk about foiling with a 5m in 10 knots, there is no way I could use my 6m in 10 knots (with reasonable skill and light weight), maybe a different story if I used a big surf foil though.

Agree, I dont ride big kites according to my mates here (they say ridiculously small sometimes), but a 5 or 6 m2 requires 15 knots for my average 78 kg, even with a 1200 cm2 wing.
And I would probably choose a 6 or more likely a 7 m2 in 15 knots.

So I assume it is really light weight riders if using a 5 in 10 knots, not possible for average weights IMO, not even with long lines and big wings...

Back to the OP.
Agree with njrider, that if you dont have many days where you use a 6 m2 in the upper end, go for a 7 m2.
Not in doubt, as you will miss the good sweetspot range below 9 and above 6 m2, if youi miss out on a 7,

Also, as I have said before, IF you regret, you have to sell your 6, and get a 7 and a 5.

If you get a 7 now, and it works most days, you might not need a 5.
And if you do, you can just buy a 5 later.
Having 9-6 means you are locked somewhat - unless it is supereasy to sell kites with no loss in your region (not possible in most regions though)

A luxury thing I know, so if you want to be a minimalist go 9-6, works.
But if you want the best sweetspot rides, go 9-7.

8) Peter


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