Hoping someone can help me with some kite buying advice. I need a higher wind kite for foiling and demoing is out at the moment with COVID.
I have an Airush Ultra 2 10m that works well from ~ 10kn, but by the time I get to ~18kn I'm on full depower and looking to swap to a smaller size.

I'm looking at reos, drifts and neos as the shortlist. I started looking at 8m options but then got thinking I could be comfy powered on a 7m at 18kn and it would still be OK if the wind dropped down to 15kn? On my TT kites I've got a 2m gap between kite sizes but thinking I can get away with a 3m gap foiling?

Foil is Alpine Foil with lift 800/wave 700 wings, 75kg

Any advice appreciated - thanks

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Flipside said..
Hoping someone can help me with some kite buying advice. I need a higher wind kite for foiling and demoing is out at the moment with COVID.
I have an Airush Ultra 2 10m that works well from ~ 10kn, but by the time I get to ~18kn I'm on full depower and looking to swap to a smaller size.

I'm looking at reos, drifts and neos as the shortlist. I started looking at 8m options but then got thinking I could be comfy powered on a 7m at 18kn and it would still be OK if the wind dropped down to 15kn? On my TT kites I've got a 2m gap between kite sizes but thinking I can get away with a 3m gap foiling?

Foil is Alpine Foil with lift 800/wave 700 wings, 75kg

Any advice appreciated - thanks

Hi mate. I have done a fair bit of research on this very matter. I am 90kg and ride an Axis foil with a 600 wing.
I settled on - 13m Hyperlink, 10m Alpha and 6m Alpha. I foil mainly and use a surfboard for downwinders. Don't own a TT. The other element that I investigated to cover off on things was 2 bars. 1 x 50cm with 25m lines and 1 x 55cm with 17m lines (& 2m extensions - if needed).

Disclosure: I'm an Airush distributor / dealer

Hi Flipside,

I really depends how powered up you like to be when you foil. Over the years I realised that some foilers like to be very powered up i.e. use a kite size that is similar to what they could use on a Twin Tip while others like to use sizes that are just big enough to enjoy a session.

We tend to forget that 2x times the wind speed = 4x times the power in your kite. So in 20 knots you should be using a kite size a lot smaller than what you use in 10 knots.

If you enjoy your 10m Ultra then there is no reason why you wouldn't like a smaller Ultra. I recently added a 5m and 8m Ultra to my foil quiver and they develop an impressive amount of power for their size. In my case, a 5m Ultra would be plenty in anything 15 knots or more and can still get me going if the wind occasionally drops slightly below 15 knots. I don't like to have a lot power when I foil and typically use the smallest size possible to get me going, even though I'm on the heavy side (95kg atm / 1000cm front wing)

I find the 8m Ultra to be perfect for the 12-15 knots range, but can also work down to 10 knots and up to 20 knots in my case.

The thing is the smaller the kite you use the quicker you can develop power with it due to it's faster turning speed. That's why even a 5m kite would be enough in anything 15 knots + for foiling without having to move the kite once you're up and flying.

If 5m seems too small for you then consider a 6m or 7m Ultra. If you plan to foil in winds above 20 knots, then IMO a 7m kite can quickly become too much, this is when a 6m or 5m would be better.

Hope this helps!

Christian

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Flipside said..
Hoping someone can help me with some kite buying advice. I need a higher wind kite for foiling and demoing is out at the moment with COVID.
I have an Airush Ultra 2 10m that works well from ~ 10kn, but by the time I get to ~18kn I'm on full depower and looking to swap to a smaller size.

I'm looking at reos, drifts and neos as the shortlist. I started looking at 8m options but then got thinking I could be comfy powered on a 7m at 18kn and it would still be OK if the wind dropped down to 15kn? On my TT kites I've got a 2m gap between kite sizes but thinking I can get away with a 3m gap foiling?

Foil is Alpine Foil with lift 800/wave 700 wings, 75kg

Any advice appreciated - thanks

I have Neos, 4, 6, 8, 11.

6 and 8 get alot of use foiling. The duotone marketing says ride the neos one or two sizes down because they are powerful for their size. If you are considering 7m, then i would even think about 6m neo. You can change the bridal setting for more or less power. On 1000cm2 foil with 6m im riding down to around 12/13 knots and up to 20. Can probably use in more wind, but if its 20+ then im out on my surfboard.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Sounds like I should definitely be thinking 7m and down to 6m on the gruntier kites like the Neo.
When the wind is stronger I'm using the wave 700 wing, which is a lot comfier to ride when there's plenty of kite power but I don't like being really overpowered on the foil. Took my 9m edge out on the foil on a 20kt gusty day. Wasn't my idea of fun...

Obviously the best possible way to guarantee you dont purchase an inappropriate kite for your requirements is to demo/borrow a kite and try it out for as long as possible in the conditions you intend to use it . This is sometimes hard to line up but buying a kite on expectations generated by brand hype or other people's opinions will likely lead to a reality different than the one desired.

I think you have to try before you buy. Im 95kgs and my 5m is my everyday foiling kite in 18-23 kts. Currently riding an Axis 680 Surf/sup foil. I'll be buying a 4m for next summer. What works for me in my spot may not suit you

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jamesperth said..
I think you have to try before you buy. Im 95kgs and my 5m is my everyday foiling kite in 18-23 kts. Currently riding an Axis 680 Surf/sup foil. I'll be buying a 4m for next summer. What works for me in my spot may not suit you

Don't you use like, 50m lines or something?

I'm ok on an 8m at 18 knots. Try if you can is always the best advice.