Select to expand quotepolykarb said...
Rider:- intermediate.
Pies:- 100+
Boards:- surfboard and Twintip.
Wind:- 12knots building to 16knots.
Location:- St kilda pier.
Affiliate:- Buy all my gear at the best price I can find, but also like to support my local kite shop.
Just got back in from first zephyr session.
Firstly I must retract 10m air possibility, as it's not going to happen. (When it's windy enough for big sent airs I will not be on this kite ).
Ok, so I've now flown, at first there was only a few hydrofoiler out on chronos, but I got out on my surfboard.
It's a really stable kite and straight away I felt comfortable.
Self launched well off the sand and never touched the water or stalled..
Once the wind cleaned up and hit the 14knot mark I grabbed my twintip, the kite is a little slow for doing sent boosts, but then again it's a 17m.
I found it looped too slow to catch me in transition tricks and I got spanked hard once and dragged while the kite looped underneath, prob about 5m height, slighty above the pier height. But I prob just needed to send it harder.
I landed on my side, I tried not to show the pinky slap pain.
Unhooked it was excellent, only doing railies and s-bends tho.
I felt like if the wind picked up anymore I would have wanted to change down to my 14m Rpm, but I did not touch the depower.
I guess the best part is it got me out on the water doing tricks at a lower wind speed, I would have been on my surfboard for the entire session without it.
I seen you out.... I actually thought you were flying a 13m edge, I was on a 11m green edge.... Looked like you were still having to work the zephyr?
I keep thinking of getting a zephyr but it's a lot of money for a couple of knots extra at the bottom end.
was putting it though it's paces, definitely not underpowered.
The wind was lighter before you arrived.
Had already been kiting for couple hours, feeling quite sunburnt.
Select to expand quotepolykarb said...
was putting it though it's paces, definitely not underpowered.
The wind was lighter before you arrived.
Had already been kiting for couple hours, feeling quite sunburnt.
Should of used the kite as shade
Select to expand quoteGilly3 said..LostinSpace said..
IMO I believe I can get this to equal or outjump any Edge at a comparable or smaller size without looping assist in under 20kts winds.
11m Edge in 16-18knts.......
Bring it on Spacedude
Hahaha, looks like you been doin a bit of Photo Shoppen there Gilly 
Your On mate, I'm calling it, IT'S A BOOST OFF then! 
Select to expand quoteDanWilson said..
I seen you out.... I actually thought you were flying a 13m edge, I was on a 11m green edge.... Looked like you were still having to work the zephyr?
I keep thinking of getting a zephyr but it's a lot of money for a couple of knots extra at the bottom end.
Well, it's very expensive if you're paying RRP...but you don't have to.
This is based on my experience with the 2013 model: It will give you only a couple of knots extra on the low end but
- you will be out when no one else is, think afternoon summer session in St. Kilda with 2-3 others max :-)
- you'll be out when the bay is flat
- you'll be able to jump and practice tricks when everyone else is just concerned whether they will get back upwind or not
- if the wind picks up to 22knots you'll still be fine (provided you weigh at least 90kg) and you'll get a hell of a workout
Basically you can go out in 12 knots and if it builds during the afternoon you'll be fine and if it doesn't then you'll just keep going in 12 knots. More kiting, less changing kites. :-)
Select to expand quoteLostinSpace said...Gilly3 said..LostinSpace said..
IMO I believe I can get this to equal or outjump any Edge at a comparable or smaller size without looping assist in under 20kts winds.
11m Edge in 16-18knts.......
Bring it on Spacedude
Hahaha, looks like you been doin a bit of Photo Shoppen there Gilly
Your On mate, I'm calling it, IT'S A BOOST OFF then!
No photo shop eith this bad boy. I got the orrigional at home and it looks identical.
Nice video from Ozone. This terrible weather though... still haven't had a chance to test it.
I sold my 2013 the night before Christmas eve and picked up my new 2015 the next day . Have flown it twice since and have been very impressed . It feels to have more pull. Unfortunately the new bars have not been released so am using my catalyst bar with extensions so not getting the true feel of the kite yet . I chose the orange one and it looks great . Overall I was scared to sell my old zephyr as it was an incredible kite but am sure this one will deliver the goods a little better once the new bar arrives.
How would you compare the Zephyr to an Edge 13 ? how many knots on the low end would I gain ? Weight 95kg
2015 zephyr complete kite...Christmas present used once for sale with the soft bar ends if anyone interested....need a new car :/.....advert should be approved shortly...
I think the edge 11 has just as much bottom end power than the zephyr 17,only difference the edge goes upwind better, just my experience!
Amazing !
This is what was my feeling about the Edge 13 but even 11 ? What lines length are you using for this result?
Select to expand quoteste said..
I think the edge 11 has just as much bottom end power than the zephyr 17,only difference the edge goes upwind better, just my experience!
Yup! Agree 100%
11m edge has an incredible range, for me at 95 kegs 14knt - 30knt on a standard 138 tt. Can stay upwind in 14knts with tide running same direction as wind.
Was out tacking a Zephyr on Saturday in 16knts. Dude on the Zephyr was blown away. I have ridden the 13 edge (2012) and found it is a different beast, heaps of grunt but more truck like, heavier bar pressure and slow turning. 11 is the go at ur weight k49
Did I mention it will out boooOooost any Zephyr
Select to expand quoteGilly3 said..ste said..
I think the edge 11 has just as much bottom end power than the zephyr 17,only difference the edge goes upwind better, just my experience!
Yup! Agree 100%
11m edge has an incredible range, for me at 95 kegs 14knt - 30knt on a standard 138 tt. Can stay upwind in 14knts with tide running same direction as wind.
Was out tacking a Zephyr on Saturday in 16knts. Dude on the Zephyr was blown away. I have ridden the 13 edge (2012) and found it is a different beast, heaps of grunt but more truck like, heavier bar pressure and slow turning. 11 is the go at ur weight k49
Did I mention it will out boooOooost any Zephyr
Thanks . I already have a 2015 Reo 12 , I was looking for something slightly bigger. I might just lengthen the lines.
Select to expand quoteGilly3 said..ste said..
I think the edge 11 has just as much bottom end power than the zephyr 17,only difference the edge goes upwind better, just my experience!
Yup! Agree 100%
11m edge has an incredible range, for me at 95 kegs 14knt - 30knt on a standard 138 tt. Can stay upwind in 14knts with tide running same direction as wind.
Was out tacking a Zephyr on Saturday in 16knts. Dude on the Zephyr was blown away. I have ridden the 13 edge (2012) and found it is a different beast, heaps of grunt but more truck like, heavier bar pressure and slow turning. 11 is the go at ur weight k49
Did I mention it will out boooOooost any Zephyr
14 knots at 95kg????
My 2013 11m edge isn't that good.... At 85kg i still need 15/16 knots to comfortably stay upwind on a 135 TT.
I think the zeph starts getting good around 15-16, and that's when the 11 edge starts getting good, but! Edge is quicker, upwind better, and jumps better, don't get me wrong, zeph is a real nice kite, I just prefer the edge.
Anyhow, I'm on the pivots now, that's a whole different story!
Select to expand quoteste said..
I think the zeph starts getting good around 15-16, and that's when the 11 edge starts getting good, but! Edge is quicker, upwind better, and jumps better, don't get me wrong, zeph is a real nice kite, I just prefer the edge.
Anyhow, I'm on the pivots now, that's a whole different story!
must be something wrong with the Zephyr , Same company 11 and 17 same low Wind ???? What would you suggest for 10 to 20 knots ?
Im yet to see a LEI fly upwind in 10 knots on the water, you should look at FS speeds or ozone chrono but they aint cheap...
Select to expand quoteDanWilson said..
Im yet to see a LEI fly upwind in 10 knots on the water, you should look at FS speeds or ozone chrono but they aint cheap...
upwind on a lei in 10 knots is easy on a freerace/formula board /foil
Select to expand quoteDanWilson said..Gilly3 said..ste said..
I think the edge 11 has just as much bottom end power than the zephyr 17,only difference the edge goes upwind better, just my experience!
Yup! Agree 100%
11m edge has an incredible range, for me at 95 kegs 14knt - 30knt on a standard 138 tt. Can stay upwind in 14knts with tide running same direction as wind.
Was out tacking a Zephyr on Saturday in 16knts. Dude on the Zephyr was blown away. I have ridden the 13 edge (2012) and found it is a different beast, heaps of grunt but more truck like, heavier bar pressure and slow turning. 11 is the go at ur weight k49
Did I mention it will out boooOooost any Zephyr
14 knots at 95kg????
My 2013 11m edge isn't that good.... At 85kg i still need 15/16 knots to comfortably stay upwind on a 135 TT.
Hey Dan, some contributing factors are:
1. The conditions u are kiting in: flat water or chop, the photo above shows the spot where I kite in 14knts......pretty smooth
2. The type of board u are using: the guy that took that photo kites with me in 14knts @60kegs flying a 12m rpm on a Tona pop, which is a known freestyle board.
So I can just nudge upwind of him slightly, mainly because of the board
3. Technique: Ever since I started kiting, I have worked hard on my light wind flying ability but in saying that, don't go out in less than 14knts
@kiter49: No there is nothing wrong with the Zephyr, they are two completely different kites to fly. I bought my edge 3 mths after buying a 2013 Zeph and found it to be a very efficient kite. I totally agree with ste's comments.
Select to expand quoteste said..
I think the zeph starts getting good around 15-16, and that's when the 11 edge starts getting good, but! Edge is quicker, upwind better, and jumps better, don't get me wrong, zeph is a real nice kite, I just prefer the edge.
Anyhow, I'm on the pivots now, that's a whole different story!
15 knots? Really? I'm 85kgs riding boots and a wakeboard and I've been doing powered unhooked tricks on a Zeph in average of 12 knots on the graph with lulls of less and that's in chop. The comfortable range of a Zephyr is 10 - 20 knots. I've also ridden it with an Airush Sector in 8 knot average. I've been riding for 11 years though and have also been on C kites for 90% of that so I have learned to be very efficient. Anyways the low end of the Zephyr is great.
Select to expand quoteDrury said..ste said..
I think the zeph starts getting good around 15-16, and that's when the 11 edge starts getting good, but! Edge is quicker, upwind better, and jumps better, don't get me wrong, zeph is a real nice kite, I just prefer the edge.
Anyhow, I'm on the pivots now, that's a whole different story!
15 knots? Really? I'm 85kgs riding boots and a wakeboard and I've been doing powered unhooked tricks on a Zeph in average of 12 knots on the graph with lulls of less and that's in chop. The comfortable range of a Zephyr is 10 - 20 knots. I've also ridden it with an Airush Sector in 8 knot average. I've been riding for 11 years though and have also been on C kites for 90% of that so I have learned to be very efficient. Anyways the low end of the Zephyr is great.
Gilly3 , I appreciate your answer thanks , I should demo the zephyr soon , this is to use in the small waves . . Wind is often on and off so I end up pumping my 12 very often and thought the Zephyr would make it through the lulls efficiently.
