At 100kg, I don't think the 9m would even get me up the board in 8 knots with 20m lines, but the 13.4 sure does.
I was using BRM 8 & 13 C1's. I was very happy but they don't ship to me in Swissyland or many other places for that matter.
Just recently got GONGstrutless. Based in France. A small family business been running since 1996.
They build there kites in the GASTRA factory. Good quality. Very good price. Great range.
I've had my GONG 3&6 almost a year and have been happy with the build quality and flying characteristics.
When I could get new BRM quickly I decided on GONGstrutless 9&12 too.
I use an SKshapes carbon bar or I have 2 self made carbon bars.
I don't know numbers as I rarely check wind or windspeed. If I have kite, wind & beach... I kite! I know I often kite alone, with people often astounded with how little wind I need to get out and have fun.
@max_ob
My 2 large GONG's have battens. They're second generation and come standard with that option.
My 2 small GONG's are first gen and don't have battens.
My home made bars have "centre hole issues". Right from building the first one in 2001 I've had struggles with how to make the hole better.
Here's a few photos.
It is a bit of a dilemma picking sizes when you go to the light weight kites.
im currently a one kite quiver Foiler with the 8m Notus Air but as it works from 12kts to around 20 on the Spitfire.
where to go???
I suspect Jamesperth did not have his clouds correctly trimmed.
I am using secondhand Clouds similar versions and all good.
PS - I own 8 kites - strutless Clouds and strutted and am well aware that Clouds need to be trimmed precisely and correctly.
BT can advise on this.
My 10m Strutless kite covers me from 8kts foiling up to 23kts twin tip - then I just have a 7m strutted kite for everything stronger than that.
Always prefer to have more boards than kites!
Yesterday amongst the foilers we had a 17m, 15m, 14m and me on my 10m.
I prefer a smaller kite for manoeuvrability and de-power when on the foil - especially as I am still trying to get my transitions sorted.
I figure the 12m Notus Air should be good for 8 kts and is reverse launchable at 6kts the catch is what you loose in wind as you drift with wind and current.
so it's this that keeps me from bothering below 12kts
I use my cloud kites with an ozone race bar. I prefer having the trim, especially when riding toe side upwind to trim the bar a little closer.
A bit off topic. I have 7-9-12 North Mono. I've about 50 or so sessions on them collectively. Most on 9 and 12.
I can already see cloth wear on the trailing edge of the rip stop, in area transitioning to the stronger TE cloth.
On the HF I sheet out a lot on these kites and the cloth is moving.
On the beach they flap, but should point out I never ever leave kites flapping on sand other than to roll up my lines, sometimes change out of my wetsuit, maximum 10 min on beach.
These kites won't last more than 2 seasons.
I have 3 year old Core XR kites with same use, and cannot see any of this wear.