Hey Guys,
Am mainly getting into the land scene for when the winds are too low to kite on water, so looking at larger light wind kites, what would be the biggest kite you would recommend for land kiting, as if it got to 13-15 Kts I would go on the water.
Cheers,
D
Ha ha. i don't know anything about it but just asked nearly the same question. reply was that even as big as a 12m is ok in sub 15 knots but of coarse risk popping a bladder when crashing.
D_M,
As per the other post by Smedg,
There is less friction on land so you can get going earlier with much less wind on land.
Water kites very different to land kites, even a 4.9 meter Flexifoil blade will get you going in sub 10 knots of wind easily.
If you are used to depower, plenty out on the market, a 10 meter depower is really more than enough on land.
A 6-7 meter fixed bridal is huge on land also for light winds.
Cheers
V.
Ok, cool, was thinking of getting a bigger kite for super-light wind water and wondering if I could use it on the land with grass, but it's gonna be WAY too big. 'Cause I am thinking of geting a 19m Speed2 Flysurfer, maybe even the silver arrow2 edition. due to the fact I'm thinking super-light wind stuff and I weigh about 95 kgs, I think I will look at the 10-12m foils for land.
Cheers,
D
Hey D,
I would not recommend using a 19 meter on land, thats a huge canopy to use, the biggest I have used was a Speed II 15 meter, and that in 10 knots was pulling me sideways on land and I am sure would have enough grunt for you.
If you are buying a 19 meter for the water fair enough, but its complete overkill on land as there is less friction, you can use smaller kites.
Even a 12 meter flysurfer will get you cracking on hard ground, I get lofted with that in 8 knots of wind already!
Cheers
V.
If you just want to have fun going fast on grass/dirt/hard sand then I have a 5m Speed1 in vgc going for $600 complete with bar, lines, safety,bag, etc. Or a brand new one for $800.
It's also water relaunchable but too fast for most people in 20knots+ on water - but great as a trainer/body-dragging kite in 10-15 knots
Hi G,
We find the 8m Ozone Access XC is more than enough in light winds. We have good sessions in 8 knots and anything above 15 knots is getting crazy.
Dont use inflateables on hard packed ground, you'll trash the hell out of them, especially while you are learning.
The foils are great for landboarding, you just don't need the kind of speed and responsiveness you get from water kites when on land.
Good winds,
I would normally say that the 12m speed2 is the most kite you would ever need on land but you are 95kg..... so the 15m speed2 would be good too. The 19 just may be too big. The problem with the 15 and 19 is that they are just too grunty. This is fine for cruising and high speed but if you want to jump it becomes a pain. You just can't an edge before you jump. The 15 is manageable by me (80kg) but the 19 would be too grunty and probably too slow to turn (unless you have a really big open space).
If you want to use the kite on land and water then i suggest the 15 or the 15 in silver arrow material. This will still give you kick ass light wind ability in the water and be useable on land too. The 15 and 19 are optimised for light wind. All the smaller sizes are not. This is hugely noticeable when flying the 15 and 12 together. The 15 has a heap more grunt but turns slower... much slower. You can work the smaller kite more and use its speed to generate power. The same holds true for the 15 vs 19. On land where you have hardly any rolling resistance it makes it easier to use the smaller kite. In the water it is a different story because you need grunt to stay up and planning.
mike
