Flysurfer speed 3 15m2 and 19m2 sweetspot?

[davince]

Hi,

I am seriously considering a Flysurfer speed 3 deluxe. Now, I am doubting between the 15 and 19m2.

I would like to read what are their sweetspot?
I understand they can manage pretty well light and stronger winds, but, according to your experience, what is the fun area?

I am 1.98m (6'6) and 100kg (220lbs). 8 years of practice. I have never tried a foil. I intend primarily to use this kite with a "regular" twin-tip (135x42).
I am not chasing the ultimate light wind experience, just a heavy guy who also wants to have fun when the wind is not so strong. Of course, I like it if I can still have fun when the featherweights have already given up, yeah great, but not at the expense of the more fun winds (11-16knts / 4 beaufort). My next smaller kite will be a 12m2 C-shape/hybrid (Ozone C4).

Well, if you think you could bring some light, thanks.

Do you know of a flysurfer forum somewhere? I could not find one on the official website.

[ragden]

At 190lbs, I've found the fun to really start at about 13-15mph of wind on my 15m deluxe S3. One of my buddies is about your weight, and rides a really big board normally, so he starts throwing jumps about the same wind range. On that smaller board, I'd guess that with the 15m, you will start having a good time around 15mph. Not sure about the 19m, never flown that kite. I would guess around 12-13mph with that board, but not 100% sure...

[dansheridan]

if you use 12m tubes for higher wind you could go 19m or 15m.
if you are looking super low wind go 19m but if you want around 12knots go 15m
the 19m is good for just under 10 knots but that is pretty boring kiting.
I have a 19m
a good combo would be either a 15m or a 19m with a fish surfboard and or a door board or skim board.
it depends what you are looking to do. ultra light wind go 19m, a bit more wind go 15m.
nice kite but remember the 19m is huge and landing the pig can be a pain in the butt especcially if you ride around non foil guys.
catching the wind tips to land it can piss the tube guys off.
I kite with close friends so they have no choice or I freak on them )
I would say the 15m deluxe and a good light wind board like the litewave wing, or a good fish surfboard or a skimboard for pretty dang low wind and fun.
the 19m turns like a big wet pig but the 15m turns pretty nicely for its size
you are approx the same size as me.
hope his helps

dan

[Saami]

Do you know of a flysurfer forum somewhere? I could not find one on the official website.

You can try asking at http://www.foilzone.com

It is not a flysurfer-specific forum, but a lot of flysurfer users hang out there.

[L0KI]

Got a couple buddies who are big boys.
The one who is 215-220 rides a Speed 19.
The one who is 265 rides a Wainman Big Mama 15M.
I can tell you from 200 feet away who is having more fun.
Wainman Big Mama.

[naishdude]

Just a question, why not save some money and buy a Ozone Zephyr 17m....add to that an Airush sector 60 and have real lightwind fun..
And only 4 lines.....
Frank

[duloid]

Got a couple buddies who are big boys.
The one who is 215-220 rides a Speed 19.
The one who is 265 rides a Wainman Big Mama 15M.
I can tell you from 200 feet away who is having more fun.
Wainman Big Mama.

No wonder you can tell, when the guy and his Big mama are resting on the beach ... and waiting for wind to pick up

no offense man, just little new year joke ..

[L0KI]

I will admit the Flysurfer guy does get out a bit earlier but he comes back in for his tube kite as soon as he can. The guy with the Big Mama goes out and stays on it all day. He sold me his Boss 12M and he just uses the Big Mama 15M and a Smoke 9M and that's it!! The Big Mama obviously has huge range, turns very quickly and provides good lightwind power. He used to be on three Slingshot Machines 17.5, 20 & 25M kites for the light days. The big Flysurfers are definitely great in the lightest winds but there are some good choices in lightwind tube kites now too.
Ozone Zepher 17M
Ocean Rodeo 15M Rise (their new four strut lightwind kite)
Wainman Big Mama 15M
Epic Infinity maybe? (Dimitri claims 13M pulls like and 18M)

[davince]

Thanks for all the replies.

Helpful comments.

All your input is going back to the usual discussion: super light wind vs "fun winds".

I am more into "fun winds", say above 11 knots (not even sure we all realize how little wind 11knts actually is). In other words I want to have at least as much fun as my 60 kg fellows with his 14m2 (or even 12m2, or even on 10's sometimes, while I am struggling with my trusted 13m2 ozone or anything else I tried).

I considered the Zephyr and many other options. I am actually on a quest from the day I begun. But I seriously doubt that, at my weight, I am still in the sweet spot at around or just below 12knots. And I am also sure a 15 (or 17) is more fun than a 19, especially with such an aspect ratio. That's why I care asking. But will it do the job for me?

It would be really helpful to hear from people at my weight would tried them.

I wouldn't like trying them, but it's super difficult to arrange.

[koma]

I'm an 80kg rider on a 134x42 Nobile NHP
You'll have to add a bit for your additional 20kg on top of my weight... but this should give you an idea of the range they've got. In terms of the sweet spot of each kite i'd happily use it in the powered and lit range, and i'd be wanting to put it down in the overpowered range. That said i'm quite fussy about which kite i'm on and will always prefer to use a smaller faster kite without any depower pulled than a bigger kite with depower.

Flysurfer Speed 3 19m Standard
Planing in 6 kn
Powered at 7-8 kn
Lit at 9-10kn
Overpowered at 12-13kn

Flysurfer Speed 3 15m Standard
Planing in 8 kn
Powered at 10 kn
Lit at 12-14 kn
Overpowered at 16-17kn

Flysurfer Speed 3 12m Deluxe
Planing in 11 kn
Powered at 14 kn
Lit at 18 kn
Overpowered at ~22-24 kn

I was out yesterday with a guy who just bought a Wainman Big Mama 15m and he's very happy with it. He's a bigger solidly built guy that i'd guess would be about 105kg and had most of the depower pulled in whilst i was riding my Torch 12m in ~17-18kn. I personally use an old Slingshot Fuel 15m for my lightwind duties, but i think it's time to ditch it and get something lightwind specific. Of all the kites i've tried i'd personally choose the Flysurfer 15m standard for my weight... so the 19m might be the kite of choice for you.