Light Wind Help

[Kristan]

I suggest you to find a big board first, something like 170 Flydoor. Then I suggest you to skip the idea of getting a 17m inflatable kite and grab a 15m foil kite, like FS Soul. I believe there are plenty of other kiters who fly foil kites at your location, so there's a chance for receiving some help with handling of such kites and probably snatch a used one. When you'll get more confident with your riding skills you might switch for the foil board.

[downunder]

Hi. The arguments in the kiting community are driving me in circles.

For light wind (approximately 8-15knots) I have no idea what to get. Should I spend my money on a 17m kite or on a "light wind" directional board? (I'm an experienced surfer).

The kiting community is clearly divided over kite v board for light winds. It makes it really hard for a beginner. Can someone explain the consequences of kiting in light wind with a 17m kite v using eg a 15m kite with a "light wind board"?

I'm a 200 pound beginner - I just started going upwind.

I can only afford used kites.

Thanks in advance!

that's 2 posts from this user that have me thinking is this fish bait.
could be wrong but the signs are there.
kiting for over 11 years yet asking about basics that will open a can of worms.

More and more of this. Some time ago a buddy of mine asking questions as a noob

After 20 years of kiting? Someone pulling our leg on which many fall over...Sorry, not me.

[PullStrings]

Quit dreaming about 8 knots.

At 200 lbs and working in freshwater, you need a big kite and a big board.

And with both, and some skill and practice you might be able to go in 10 knots, but you will probably need 12 to have any chance of staying upwind.

If you are short on funds, there is a chance you could use your small wave surfboard and a large kite to make it work.

Best answer.

OP is a surfer.

He will have to spend the money to get a new wide surfboard with enough volume or luckily with some research find a used one.

He can find plenty in good condition used 17's..and some 18 &19 sqm LEI kites on Ikitesurf classifieds.

5ft 7 inches x 22 1/8 inches x 2 5/8 inches x 38.6 liters as suggestion

Firewire Twice Baked or something like it




I ride in LW ocean water at 75kg with 17 & 5'2" x 21" x 2 3/8" x 28.9 liters using a 17 @130 days a year the @50 other days on 14-12-10-8-6 & 5 on 5'9" x 16 7/8" x 1 3/4" x 18 liters

True wind speed low end in kite ( not gradient or dense or special wind type ) 10 knots planing upwind / at 9 breaking even just enough to plane kite parked / at 8 keep moving kite to move along sub planing / at 7 keep looping kite to go in asap to dry land ....yay !

Not a LW surfboard beginner soon 22 years

[artificialname]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

[sergei Scotland]

As an improving beginner myself i think you need a bigger board first. I am your weight and 145x48 TT really helped me to improve quicker. Much easier than say 136x44 TT I had before. But if you can kite direction you can obviously go even bigger.
I had an older 17 but any lull and it goes into the water as it is rather heavy for the wind at 12 knots. A lull to 6 kn and it is down, wet and heavy and impossible to relaunch unless you get 14 kn gust. Remember wind pressure on the sail is 4 times less for 0.5 x less wind Speed.
Basically in some places a 17m is often usless imho. But in some other places with stable but low wind it is very useful.

[PrfctChaos]

I would say just go straight for the foil on your current kites. It is 100% what you will end up on if you are keen on going kiting in light wind.

Find a mate with a boat and learn to use the foil by being towed behind the boat. After that it's no worries to learn and use it with a kite in good 15-20 knot winds. Once you get it you will be having fun in any wind your kites can keep flying in.