13-19 knots. At 82kg I would use either my 15m speed 3 if it the wind was more hovering around 13-15. if there was consistant gusts to 19 then I'd fire up my 13m edge.
Now the speed gives you way better grins 13-15. Your boosting powered and having fun. The edge holds it own 13-15 but for my amount of pies the grins start to occur at 16+
Now at 65kg you have had way less pies than myself. I would suggest that all you would need is the 13 edge. yourl be powered 13-15 on the 13 edge and when the 19 knot gust come through yourl be doing these massive gliding boosts!... Lots of fun.
If I compare the 13 edge to the 17 zep. the zep does get you out a knot or 2 earlier. But it gives up about 5 knots at the top end.
Also combining the light wind kite with a light wind board increases your grin factor. Have 2 boards on the beach and just change boards to suit. big door for sub 15 and then small board for the 15+
That's funny Pearl as I have totally the oppose experience with big kite wave riding haha. I feel as though I have more range of motion and can do things that aren't typically possible for me when it's windier. Perhaps it's just the difference of locations we kite and the direction of the wind or something, or maybe the kite?
Some things to think about re large kites
High aspect kites are awesome for high speed and racing, the long and thin profile makes them fast in a line, great race kites. High aspect kites generate wind as speed increases, so the faster you go, the more wind you generate, the more power you get, the faster you go etc.... All races are won on high aspect kites like the ozone edge. High aspect kites jump higher also
BUT - The long thin profile also make it really hard to relaunch in light wind which can be a problem if you drop the kite out at sea on a light wind day ( long leading non curved LE will be much harder to turn onto a wing tip, drift on a wave is not good, turning speed is not the best.
A lower aspect kite ( Less thin, more fat, with curved leading edge ) can make the kite turn faster ( pivotal ), if it has a curved leading edge re launch is much easier because it can roll on a curved leading edge onto the wing tip and relaunch better in light winds, on waves drift heaps better. but if your in a race you will get left behind by the faster moving hight aspect kite. Low aspect kites have more float and softer landings on jumps, but less height
No pulleys can give a better direct feel to the kite, pulleys can wear over time and lines will need replacing
So
Ozone = High aspect no pulleys
Blade = low aspect and pulleys
TRX = low aspect No pulleys
if i was into racing i would get a high aspect, if I was into free ride and waves and a surfboard i would go for a low aspect.
The zephyr is really a compromise between your two extremes. High aspect no pulleys equals an edge really. The zephyr still affords dent static grunt you get with lower aspect kites, but you can then turn on the edge in it when needed. Therefore its not too bad in currents and in the ocean as well. Never had a problem relaunching the zephyr. But I agree with the extremes mentioned.
Hence demo and see what fits your riding style.
Ps I've ridden plenty of pulley kites that have direct feel lately so I'm not certain on the no pulley fad that is around at the moment. Don't let a pulley on a kite be a major factor in your decision, just ride it and see.
rode a few light wind kites, for fast turning the epic infinity or blade but this is as good as they get compared to the new zephyr, dont link the older model to the new its a completly different feeling kite, its not the fastest of all the big kites in the turn never tried the bottom end as im not a good lightwind rider , around 14knts im loving it and had it out mid 20s with no hassles, if your looking to improve your tricks then the new zephyr is a great kite for this, very forgiving with an instant power response when reqd, in the correct winds it feels like your hooked into a sky hook
So Kitepower, can I ask you this? Have you ridden the TRX and the Zeph back to back, and in the surf? I realize that you sell Ozone, and I have referred people to your shop when they are looking for specifically Ozone. But unless you have ridden both and felt the drift and turning speed of the Trx compared to the Zeph then you are just trying to sell your wares. I understand this is a business for you, but blanket statements like "inner spirit warrior will be happiest" is just plain bull****. Tell us why you feel that way after you have spend time on both, (and I have). I love the Zeph, but if I had to chose between the two kites to be out in the surf, hands down it would be the TRX. Ozone make brilliant kites, no question about that, but in the surf on light wind days, they are chalk and cheese. Try down looping that Zeph after a nice little boost off a wave and see where you end up.
Really Dafish how can you expect some one who cannot feel the difference in performance of a kite due to extremes in air density to feel the difference that aspect ratio makes to the way a kite performs
@Dafish Have you completely lost your sense of humour? Obviously I was taking the piss. I have not ridden the Zephyr and TRX back to back, but I have ridden side by side with a well known dealer of those kites and he ended up down wind and walking then gave up, I kept riding. I've witnessed similar recently at Merrimbula too, and at other place and times. Zephyr's sell themselves, I just wanted to add my 2c worth, based on my experience. If I was out in surf in light winds I would not be on either, I'd be on something better suited for the job like a Reo or Catalyst. The Zephyr turns just fine, but not pivotal and does not lose power in the turn, and could and has been ridden in surf, as others above have stated. If you think and prefer the TRX in the surf great, but please allow me to have the same right to state my opinion as you.
Fair enough...I can smile now :) Humor is now back on board.
At least now you have commented on your comparisons, and how you reached your point. That was my point. Carry on!
Just out of curiosity, how low can you go with the cat or reo and what size?
Cheers
Cheers cauncy, thanks for the heads up. I just went and measured it, but am a bit unsure where the measurement should be taken from. To outside of end caps is 60cm, inside end caps is 50cm. I have read on SB somewhere that it should be 54cm? but is that between the end caps? BTW if I do require a wider bar and this kite gets any better, I'm gonna have to go and have another w**k
Thanks KP, just went and re-measured it at the points you mentioned, and it is 54cm.
Phew........saved me some skin