Kites for the BIG guys....

[Big G]

Its an 07 Door. I don't waist much time when I get advise from you more experienced riders. I figure if your at a point when your asking for advice, you should be at a ready to make a decision.

Now I'm looking for a Royal 14m since I believe this is the largest size they make. I figure I can move the ION quickly on ikite if needed. I havent bought a new kite in a few seasons so I ready. If the weather was better, I would probably just try and get by with my current 15m Ion(06),12m Waroo (06) and 11m Waroo (07). As you can see, Im due for a new kite.

Hell, I'm still using the same Dimitri Pro I bought from you Scott. Its time for a few upgrade with the coming season. Thanks for the advise.

[BizGuru]

I am 280lb and found to be the contra 3 17m to be the kite for big guys, I can hold ground in 14mph with my Crazyfly 145x48 pro. The kite has a really good low end put still turns fast for it's size and hold power though it's turn. The depower is also unreal and I can hold it down to around 25mph especially if i move to a smaller board. The only downside is that it does have some bar pressure (I prefer some bar pressure, I know others do not). It is also a good racing kite and the upwind is great.

Just my thought, oh and you can get them brand new for 1,000 bucks right now.

[Whitey]

Look for a used 19m Speed 2 even a 17m or 15m would still be better than anything that needs a pump. There is just no comparison IMO. My 17 contra will never see the light of day again. I bought my 19m for less than half price. I have had a lot of sessions this summer. This kite makes the summer fun here in the Bay area. 8 to 9 kts and you are mowing the lawn staying up wind with out working the kite. 10 kts and you are mowing the lawn with jumping kiteloop tansitions at both ends of the lawn. Heck I mowed all the way around 3 rooker then the entire area between 3 rooker and Hurricane pass last Monday. Surfing the baby swells with light wind can be very entertaining.

With time on the kite you will find out where the name comes from. On the glide or my surfboard it has become fairly easy to work the angles and get the apparent wind cranking making headway around double the wind speed it takes several hundred yards to get it all to come together but once it is cranked up it's pretty wild looking, to see this thing comming down the coast at warp 8 with no whitecaps on the water just the spray off the board.

Where is a good place to get the FS kites cheap?

[CrazyJay]

I've been researching the Flysurfer Speed 2 19 meter and it sounds like an awesome low end kite. Just cant swallow the $2500 price tag.
If anyone (Gary) gets one I'd love to demo it.

[Big G]

Now that I have more information, I just need some clarification on something....

When we talk about a low end kite are we saying that the kite, of its size flies with less wind than one of the same size or are we saying that it also has more power than even larger kite?..It may be easier if I give this example.

Earlier it was said that the Royal Era 14m would out perform a ION 15m as a low wind kite, the size of both of these kites are close to the same. Now, do you have the same low end pulling power if you compare the same Era 14m with say a 16m Waroo or even a 17m Contra in the same light wind?

It just seems like it makes more sense to ride a larger kite in low winds than a smaller kite. Help me understand...

[CrazyJay]

I know that I used to have a Fuel 19 meter and that thng pulled like a truck. Unfortunately it pulled DOWNWIND only. I wouldn't put to much stock on kite "sizes" when it comes to inflatables. I'm sure the Royal 14 will blow away the waroo 16.
I think that foils may be getting good enough to start taking over the light wind realm again.
I wish we could demo a 19 FS Speed 2

Jay pretty much nailed it.
Size (if not an efficient cut) is just drag.
Today's kites have a much better design than even just 2 years ago, let alone 5 years ago. I wouldn't ever think of getting anything bigger than a 16, Gary, even at your size (comparing you to me) At my size, a 14m kite in 13 knots is pretty powered up... I know it sounds funny (even to me) but that's the truth.

Jay, I remember that old 19m Sligshot Fuel (2003, I think?)
Man, 20 minutes on that in 12 knots and my legs were killing me. (LOL).
Pure drag, no upwind efficiency. You were basically fighting the kite to force it upwind.

So Gary, yes, you have the same "power" and low end with today's 14s that you use to have with 18m kites of just 2/3 years ago.
The big difference is that they feel much different. There is less drag, so some people actually misinterpret that as less power.
Most of today's "pull" is perpendicular to the wind or upwind, so your legs don't have to fight the kite wanting to pull you downwind.
Instead, that power is more efficient, and the kite pulls you upwind with relative ease.

The biggest mistake you can make with a light wind kite (imo) is thinking that the feeling of being pulled like a truck is good.
That's a bad sign, imo. It's just drag. Hope that makes sense.

I am sure you will get to demo that Speed 2 19 this year. We have 2 in the area (at least) now.
I demoed one out at EB last season in about 13/14 knots. I unhooked and was yanked off the water on a railey. It took me by surprise.
It turned pretty slow compared to the Era or Eclipse, though.