At 97kg which kite would be a better option for the following wind range and boards: 8-12 knots with a big skimboard and 11-25 knots with a twin tip. The Catalyst 14m or the Zephyr 17m?
I would like to know if at my weight the Catalyst would stay upwind with a big board in 8-10 knots.
I´m only getting one kite and already have the two boards so I´m trying to make the best out of it.
I´m interested into waves, big jumps & hang time.
Hope you can give me some feedback.
Thanks.

I have the zephyr 2010 . At 8-12 knots i dont believe you have an option with the catalyst 14. Maybe with a huge directional :) (i dont have a clue about skimboards but i go upwind with an underground kipuna 6,2 from 7 knots and i am 80 kgr)

Same thing for that 11-25 knots. i have tryed the high end of the kite at 20 knots , yes its safe enough (still risk) to be on that air but you dont enjoy at all. the grunt is so much that you really need to put effort on both legs to hold ground :)

I would go for a zephyr for your low wind courses then a catalyst 12 . If you want to cover the range 8-25 biggest chances for the top range has the 14th

Thank you adrood, There is a lot of feedback towards the bottom and high end of the Zephyr and almost all are good reviews, but there in almost none about the Catalyst 14m.

I think the Zephyr is better for light wind conditions because it is meant for it, but still very curious about the Catalyst 14m since according to the ozone wind range chart, they both are on the same high and bottom ends. I thought this could only be possible because of the weight reduction in the Catalyst by only having 3 struts instead of 5.

I think I would prefer a smaller kite if don´t needing to sacrifice bottom end. But also have heard that the zephyr does not behave like a huge kite usually does.

I don´t know if someone has tested both kites in their low ends, or the Catalyst 14m, and could tell us their opinion.

About the skimboard, you should test one, they can be pretty fun on light wind days and can get you started riding strapless if you haven´t yet.

yes i saw that but fact is that its the shape of the zephyr that will add more apparent wind and no backstall at all , and you my friend are a heavy rider. thing is that the zephyr really flies different from most kites out there. if you turn it 2 fast you lose power but if you do smooth 8's and have a "speedy" board at your feet its a monster.

Not a freestyle kite , you need to adjust your style to do tricks

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BETOMD said...

At 97kg which kite would be a better option for the following wind range and boards: 8-12 knots with a big skimboard and 11-25 knots with a twin tip. The Catalyst 14m or the Zephyr 17m?
I would like to know if at my weight the Catalyst would stay upwind with a big board in 8-10 knots.
I´m only getting one kite and already have the two boards so I´m trying to make the best out of it.
I´m interested into waves, big jumps & hang time.
Hope you can give me some feedback.
Thanks.

I have both these kites. The 17M Zephyr 2011 is your only choice for 8-12knots on the skimboard and it will also be your only choice for 11-16/17 knots on a twin tip. From above 15/16 knots the catalyst 14M will work for you on a twin tip, and the 14M will work with a large twin tip from around 13/14 knots, but not less than that.
The top end of the 17M Zephyr will be similar to the 14M Catalyst.

There have been several large inflatable kite released by several other brands now, including the North Dyno, the Griffin, Core, Kitefactory, Epic, etc, etc.
All these brands are releasing their version of a LW inflatable because they have seen the success of the 2010 Ozone Zephyr and the continued consumer interest in and sales success of the larger Flysurfer Speed series kites.
In other words there is a market for LW kiting and kite brands need to make sales in any way they can to stay in business, thats obvious.
I've flown a lot of LW kites and the differences of LW performance between kites of similar size is minimal, AND a lot depends on rider skill and the riders choice of a suitably large board (race, skim or TT).
All the large kites need the rider to allow the kite to "breathe" and to fly as fast as possible, before applying any load to point upwind, and even then the load need to applied with a lot fo feel.

The hype on this new large inflato versus another new large inflato is funny. Sure its to be expected from the pimps in our midst, but it really is quite silly when in real life there is very little difference between the actual performance of many of them.
I can say for sure though that both the Zephyr and catalyst, as well as the 15M 2011 (and 2010) Edges have excellent LW performance, do actually relaunch easily, have excellent wind ranges and also the best build quality I've seen across all the brands I sell and have flown and seen.

Now for sure I´m going for the Zephyr, because I have to drive 3 hours to my nearest spot (Acapulco, México) on weekends and the avarege winds there are from 8 to 15 knots. I would hate to drive up there and have to miss a sesh because my kite is not big enough.

Will let you know how did it went.

Thank you for your help.

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BETOMD said...

Now for sure I´m going for the Zephyr, because I have to drive 3 hours to my nearest spot (Acapulco, México) on weekends and the avarege winds there are from 8 to 15 knots. I would hate to drive up there and have to miss a sesh because my kite is not big enough.

Will let you know how did it went.

Thank you for your help.

thats why its nice to go prepared for min max conditions. As wind is upredictable and you deticate time to reach the beach , it sucks not to kite. You will find a way to enjoy any kite i can tell that for sure