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What makes a good strapless kite

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sflinux
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Re: What makes a good strapless kite

Postby sflinux » Thu Jun 06, 2019 5:44 pm

Generally, I use one kite size smaller when going from a twintip to a directional (i.e. 15M TT to 12M surfboard). If I use a hydrofoil, I generally use one kite size smaller than my surfboard (or 2 kite sizes smaller than a tt) (i.e. 9M hydrofoil, 12M surfboard, 15M tt). If I use a SUP (i.e. low tide), I generally use the same size as a hydrofoil. Having board options can let you use 1 kite for an entire session, and just switch boards depending on much juice you have.
Lots of good info at http://www.losethestraps.com

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Re: What makes a good strapless kite

Postby foilholio » Thu Jun 06, 2019 11:36 pm

chibern wrote:
Thu Jun 06, 2019 5:23 pm
I can start having fun in 10kts with a 15M Contra or 14.5 Flite. .... I'm still learning but have found that light wind and big kites don't work well unless it's small waves (1'-3') - too much risk of dropping the kite.
Many foil kites can handle slack line and not dropping in 10knots and even a bit lower.

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Re: What makes a good strapless kite

Postby apollo4000 » Fri Jun 07, 2019 8:24 pm

Same question for a

83kg rider on
5’4” Angry Swallow
18-20mph wind

With a choice of

Rebel 7,9,11, 12
Evo 10
Soul 12

Apologies if this is hijacking the OP threat but hopefully adding to the debate

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Re: What makes a good strapless kite

Postby Kitenuovoman » Fri Jun 07, 2019 9:25 pm

Rebel or evo ok...but sure no foil kite for strapless...100%no ....

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Re: What makes a good strapless kite

Postby foilholio » Fri Jun 07, 2019 10:38 pm

Why, what is wrong with a foil kite?

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Re: What makes a good strapless kite

Postby Kitenuovoman » Sat Jun 08, 2019 6:13 am

Foil kite its ok for hydrofoil competition..and backcountry snowkite ..not bad..
The end

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Re: What makes a good strapless kite

Postby LeoLeal » Thu Jul 30, 2020 2:23 pm

Focus a 100% on strapless freestyle what makes a good strapless kite?
Actually I have an opportunity to buy a North Carve 12m² or a North Reach 11m². I will try both before decide anything.

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Re: What makes a good strapless kite

Postby Regis-de-giens » Thu Jul 30, 2020 10:00 pm

Not an expert in Strapless but from my readings i would definitelly give a go to the foil kite "wave" from conceptair in 10.5m or 12m....
The best of the two world for strapless : lightness, excellent drift, instant and efficient depower. And agile for a foilkite...

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Re: What makes a good strapless kite

Postby Peter_Frank » Fri Jul 31, 2020 2:57 pm

I can not comment on the question about that low wind...

Here we dont bother using surfboards or waveboards untill you can ride with smaller kites than 9 m2, as even with a 9 m2 waveriding does not work well, too big.

When wind is lower, you can hydrofoil, with the same smaller kites, so a win win instead of a boring big kite on a board where you can do nothing, not even go upwind well.

IF you had asked about a good strapless kite in general, it would be a kite with loads of range and depower, not much grunt.
Not too C shaped, as not sufficient range and depower.
Personal whether you want it to fly forward to the edge or not, some do (I do), others dont.

The main point is, you want a kite you can "kill" completely, so you dont get pulled of the board, or the line on the wave, going DTL (Down The Line).

Regarding big kites, I have never seen anyone using these with a surfboard, so can not comment on your question, sorry.
Not sure exactly what you seek?
If going down wavefaces, quite straight, then the same would apply for the big kites I would think, huge range and a kite you can kill.
Most foil kites can be flown to the edge yes, but they also have this bad behavior of pulling way too much, when you get speed, meaning down a waveface it is not good :roll:

But if you get a low performance foil kite, say a single skin (like the Peak4 or ConceptAir single skin), they tend to be able to be killed, and they dont have peak power like other foil kites.

They can also hang so you can get ashore if wind drops to almost nothing, another advantage.

But they all turn like dogs, thus quite important what you seek with these big kites for a surfboard?

Have you considered hydrofoiling?

Your conditions seem perfect for this.

8) Peter

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Re: What makes a good strapless kite

Postby mgs » Fri Jul 31, 2020 4:16 pm

When I moved from a TT to a Zap ACE Skimboard (54” x 20”) about 3 years ago, "I’ve carried on using the same kites"
The board is fully decked out which does away with having to wax it.
Despite it having a “nose & tail” it rides perfectly well both ways like a TT, handy if you haven’t learnt the technique of spinning the board around when you want to turn.


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