Have I Made A Terrible Mistake?

[whoschrisellington]

I’ve wanted to have my own kite setup for so long. I took lessons about 5 years ago and I finally pulled the trigger this week. Here’s what I ordered:

-2018 10m Slingshot RPM
-17in compstick sentinel control bar
-140cm liquid force drive kiteboard
-2019 ride engine prime harness

I frequent cape Hatteras in the outer banks of North Carolina. This place is known for its incredible conditions. Kiteable on average 20 days each month of the year and around 29 days out of the month of July (which is when I’ll be going) Wind speeds anywhere from 14-25mph.

I thought I did my research enough when I bought a 10m kite. I’m well aware I will need two kites at least for varying conditions but have I made a mistake with the 10m? Will I even be able to ride given the average conditions at cape Hatteras? Should I return it and get a 9m and then eventually get a 12m? Should I return it and get a 12m and eventually a 9m? What would riding a 10m kite in 20mph winds look like?

Im 5’7”, 165lbs, lean and muscular and can ride well and handle my own, but I’m a novice and I need help and guidance.

[rleshem]

10m is good for 15-25 mph with twintip.

You could do 9 and 12 or 10 and 12 depending on wind conditions. I have 8 ,10,12 and use mostly my 10 in the conditions you described.

[1234567Simon]

The usual setup here in Netherlands is

12 / 9 / 7 (75 percent like this)
For real light wind in addition 17

Alternativ
14 / 10 / 7

Just my opinion:
12/9 is very close
9/7 is ok

14 /10 is ok ( maybe big gap... but ok.)
10 / 07 is big gap but ok.

Just my opinion.


...
Oh no... did I feed Folihio again?

[Greenturtle]

Your setup sounds great except for the 17” bar (with just 20m lines), its small for a 10m kite imo. Will work but steering reactions would feel dampened compared to the 20” (or 23”) bar, especially on the 12-14m kite youll want next.

10m perfect size for 20mph.

[Peter_Frank]

Good setup, and the 17 inch bar is fine when learning.

It will be too short though, when you get more experience.

20 inch will be perfect in the long run

Peter

[tmcfarla]

At your size, 10m is probably the first kite to get. 9 would also work fine. You’ll probably want to get either a 13 or an 8 next. 13 will probably give you more total days, but 8 would you out on the really fun days. Hatteras gets really windy, and you’d eventually be looking at a 6 as well down the road. I would start with just one or two kites for now to see if you get into it though. You will not be able to kite every kite-able day with just one kite, but a 10m should get you out on the best days for learning, and will likely go on to be one of your most used sizes. Without smaller kites, you need to have the patience to sit out the really good days at hatteras (those days aren’t really appropriate for learning anyways).

[iriejohn]

10m is about right for your weight (75kg) etc., but you should exchange the 17" Sentinel bar (which comes with 20m lines) for a 20" Sentinel bar (which comes with 23m lines). The 20" bar will work fine with the 10m and also with larger (eg 12/13m) and smaller kites (eg 7m) in the future. You do not want to be using a 17" bar with 20m lines with a big kite.

[dewwy]

You do not want to be using a 17" bar with 20m lines with a big kite.

I don't know where this comes from, but it's a common misconception. Read this https://www.ralfgroeseldesign.com/post/ ... -explained
You do not need a new bar, just get 3m line extensions so you have a bit more low end for the bigger kites.

[Kash]

10m open-c kite is a great thing to have, dont worry. And RPMs are fine. But you may do a terrible mistake if you buy 12m RPM with it. Because it will not improve your wind range at all. In fact I would recommend to look at 14/15m kite to pair it with.

[iriejohn]

You do not want to be using a 17" bar with 20m lines with a big kite.

I don't know where this comes from, but it's a common misconception. Read this https://www.ralfgroeseldesign.com/post/ ... -explained
You do not need a new bar, just get 3m line extensions so you have a bit more low end for the bigger kites.

A wider bar enables the application of increased leverage making it easier to turn larger kites.

It is a common misconception that longer lines intrinsically provide significantly more low end for bigger kites.