Does kite size change how high you boost, or just increase your hang time?

Say it was 20 knots, would you get the same height from a 8m, 10m and 12m kite, assuming same design kite? So to get higher, you need more wind, not a bigger kite?

www.engineeringtoolbox.com/air-psychrometrics-properties-t_8.html



just kidding :P but seriously have a read if you really care.

basicly lets say all those kite sizes are comfortably being flown within there own wind ranges.
now the smaller the kite should be able to generate more power as it can fly threw the wind window faster.

i think thats as basic as i can make it.

Mathmatically the max height you can get is the same. But from experience rig the biggest kite you can comfortably hold and edge, load and pop. That will get you the highest.....

For me If i want to boost as high as possible in 20 knots I reach for my 13m edge. my 10m and 8m wont even come close until a lot higher winds.

But when you go past the point where you can comfortably load and pop and your are overpowered you next size down will boost higher.

Also even within the same kite over different sizes, aspect comes into play, overall canopy profile and bridal geometry. Some kites within their designated wind range just have a sweet size where it all comes together. hence if you demo a kite make sure you demo the size you intend to buy, it is dangerous to try and extrapolate across the sizes..to your wallet that is...

board also is a big factor, but we will have to assume this variable is constant for your question. Some boards though (size and design) work best with certain kites at certain kite sizes.

also add in weight. Not a lot is given concerning the weight (and strength ) of the rider given a certain kite, certain kite size and indeed the size and type of board they ride...(and the type and size of fins as well).

then add in wind type, strength and overall water conditions. Confused yet...I am....

You forgot about ramps too Eppo!.... adds another factor into the fray!

Cheers for the info guys and confusion eppo. ;-)

I can't comment on kites like the edge but I've found for Fuels and Torches the smaller kites boost way higher within their normal wind ranges.

A combination of twice the wind is four times the force, and kite speed I think. Definitely noticeable!

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LiveToFly said...
I can't comment on kites like the edge but I've found for Fuels and Torches the smaller kites boost way higher within their normal wind ranges.

A combination of twice the wind is four times the force, and kite speed I think. Definitely noticeable!

Yes indeed smaller kites boost higher in higher winds. But that wasnt the question.

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Plummet said..

LiveToFly said...
I can't comment on kites like the edge but I've found for Fuels and Torches the smaller kites boost way higher within their normal wind ranges.

A combination of twice the wind is four times the force, and kite speed I think. Definitely noticeable!

Yes indeed smaller kites boost higher in higher winds. But that wasnt the question.

I actually confirmed his exact question.

"So to get higher, you need more wind, not a bigger kite?"

It’s all about the elastic band theory, just get as much stretch from the top of your kite to the edge of your board then flick.

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Plummet said...
Mathmatically the max height you can get is the same. But from experience rig the biggest kite you can comfortably hold and edge, load and pop. That will get you the highest.....

For me If i want to boost as high as possible in 20 knots I reach for my 13m edge. my 10m and 8m wont even come close until a lot higher winds.

But when you go past the point where you can comfortably load and pop and your are overpowered you next size down will boost higher.

**** 13 m in 20 knots those ozones must be as gutless as they look!

Gutless is not a word I describe a 13m edge in 20 knots. But the wing can hold a lot of wind because its not an obvious grunt machine and will fly to the edge of the window to spill air. Get on one and you'll see.

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eppo said..

Gutless is not a word I describe a 13m edge in 20 knots. But the wing can hold a lot of wind because its not an obvious grunt machine and will fly to the edge of the window to spill air. Get on one and you'll see.

Hmmmm Interesting

Going back to the original question - yes you get bigger airs with larger kites only until you are too overpowered to control it. To go larger you need more wind. I can get pretty big airs on an 11m edge up to about 25 knots (I weigh 88 kg) but I can get even larger airs on a 9m edge up to 35 knots (overpowered at about 31 knots but just holding on! - like yesterday)

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austead said..

Plummet said...
Mathmatically the max height you can get is the same. But from experience rig the biggest kite you can comfortably hold and edge, load and pop. That will get you the highest.....

For me If i want to boost as high as possible in 20 knots I reach for my 13m edge. my 10m and 8m wont even come close until a lot higher winds.

But when you go past the point where you can comfortably load and pop and your are overpowered you next size down will boost higher.

**** 13 m in 20 knots those ozones must be as gutless as they look!

hehe... can your pansy legs not hold down 13m kites in 20 knots?

20 knots on the 13m is awesome for a boostfest. If I wanted to be silly I would use my 15m speed. Now that thing is like tryinmg to hold down a locomotive in 20 knots. But your past the point of comfortable edging. So I can get higher on the 13 edge in 20 knots than I can the 15 speed.

but everyone is correct smaller kites in bigger wind = bigger jumps. 25-28 knots on my 10c4 = insane jumps. 30-35 knots on the 8 cat... brilliant.
35+ knots on the 6 reo?... its just plain weird getting float from such a little normally gutless kite! To be fair I don't boost mega on that kite. There is zero float if you get hit with a lull

Most if not all kite designers start with designing the 9m of the model. Then go either side trying to model those characteristics into the larger and smaller kites. A very few designers opt to alter the design between the 9m and say 10 and above so that 9 and below are high wind kites, 10 and above high power kites.
The point is that usually your best jumps are with a 9 m kite fully powered in its wind range. If you use one of the high power kites mentioned above then the 10m will give similar results but in slightly less wind.
Rider weight may influence the wind range you use a kite in but the rest stays the same.

I'm going to answer yes. I can get higher and hang longer on my 10 than on my 8. (Conditions to match) My friend who's slightly heaver than I has the same deal on his 12 and 10. Happy boosting!

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Plummet said..

There is zero float if you get hit with a lull

That's true any time you leave the water

With the Speeds, Plummet, the limiting option is lift and how smooth the wind is... they usually run to the edge of the window and now pull much, until you sheet in: THAT can make holding them down difficult. Gusty wind when you're overpowered makes for punchy, jerky shocks which are no fun.

But it good, overpowered wind, if you can walk to the water... it's gonna be fun!