SS Fuel 2005 - biggest size 17... (!)

[surfz]

My intention was to replace my 2003 19m2 with the 2005 version.. but... what? Biggest size 17 in 2005? Guess I have to switch brand although I do not want to, maybe a Contra, a 17m2 Fuel will never ever get me going in 10 knots (I am 200 LBS) + it disturbes my current quiver: 19- 15- 11 _AAAH!!!

Maybe they made this decision because there are only young light sponsored riders in the SS team??

[zim]

the 05 fuels are really differient the 17 has the a little less power then last years 17 but its way faster and more stable so its really really good for skimboarding. i am not sure why they aren't making a 19 but try out a cabal skimboard.

[AEF]

the 05 fuels are really differient the 17 has the a little less power then last years 17 ... [chopped]

This is not meant to dis FUEL kites in any way. The problem I have is with logo'd sizing as a being a measure of the 'power'.

A common practice years ago (maybe still but I'm out of the scene) in windsurfing was to advertise sails as a powerful X.X size when in fact they were X.X + . 2 or .3 (++).

Maybe the 2005 FUELs are closer to a real 17 than the 2004 are now to an 18m. The listed size, I believe is actually 17.8. The 13 is really a 14, and the 9 really a 10 for all intents and purposes, so the 'name' of the kite size is not really a measure of the actually area. That area measurement can be calculated in various ways also. There is no standard for measure of the kite in the strict sense of scientific and accurate measure, merely relying on the manufacturer's labelling.

[rushmarkrush]

I hope SLINGSHOT got their bladder problem fixed for 2005. It has been a painful event getting them replaced in two of my four Fuels due to the nipples letting go of the bladders.
Are you sure they are not making a 19 for 2005?

[kite boardertje]

slingshot is coming out with a different line for big kites 19 21 23 i think
but i am not sure saw it on a french site

[surfel]

that is correct there is no 19fuel anymore, but they gonna issue a special light wind kite series which is i bellieve the right approach. the new 17flies much faster and through flying it faster you might generate the power you are looking for. it seems that there is a general trend in getting away from the huuuuge sizes as the kites are moving faster now. therefore the range of 17 is much wider as the 19. i'm flying in one of the most well known light wind areas (DUBAI) and the 17 fuels, 18 vegas, 17 JN wild things, 16,5 matrix or 16 rhinos 4 are doing very well. therefore no worries, the 17 fuel is a fantastique kite and it will make you happy!!!!

[GraemeF]

Its not yet determined, but there is a "light wind" kite project in hand at SS. Codenamed MACK as a work in progress, it may or may not follow current thinking. Tony Logozs just has the project "make something as efficient s possible in whatever size that does the job.

That may not necessarily be in the current size convention. With the new shaping that is facilitated with the splitstrut system the 05 kites perform quite differently in the power take up.

Personally I found the 17 provided better power earlier and flew more to the edge of the window than last seasons 17 or 19 even. I am very light however so it might not suit a heavy guy, you have to try these things, they perform quite differently if they don't get going and then bring about the additional power that apparent wind brings on.

There are still 04 19's around, that do go o.k. if you have the weight and brute strength to harness that output they give over 10 kts, and of course they're probably available on a deal by now.

There was a huge performance jump between 03 models and 04 with the introduction of the one pump and splitstrut canopy. Well worth a try.

The jump this year is more subtle. The mid aspect shape is now mimicing High Aspect performance (or trying to) withtout actually being Hi AR. There is also an optional rear relaunch facility a la Recon style bu with a different twist, and the pump anchor point is beefed enough to 5th element the kite (Although this is not reccommended for snow use, because the canopy can get trashed on ice and hard pack).

Whatever, try and get a go on one.

[CaptainArgh]

...Maybe the 2005 FUELs are closer to a real 17 than the 2004 are now to an 18m....

Is there a table somewhere for the '04 kites?
I have an '04 13 and 17 and was wondering what their true size is.

Thanks.

[pndLA]

check out:
http://www.slingshotkiteboarding.it/2005/

[AEF]

...Maybe the 2005 FUELs are closer to a real 17 than the 2004 are now to an 18m....

Is there a table somewhere for the '04 kites?
I have an '04 13 and 17 and was wondering what their true size is.

Thanks.

Yah, go to the sskiteboarding site, kites, FUEL, and check the specs

From their info:

FUEL 7 = 8.0 m area
FUEL 9 = 9.8
FUEL 11 = 11.6
FUEL 13 = 13.4
FUEL 15 = 15.3
FUEL 17 = 17.8
FUEL 19 = 21.2

Duh, no wonder the 17 is 'powerful'.