Rider: Advanced
Style: Racing
Weather: 7-10knots
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure: Kitepower/Ozone Team rider, 75kg
Other gear used: 27m Lines, Ozone race bar, 183 Cabrinha Raceboard

I ride the 2012 17m Edge 60% of the time I go kiting, which is an awful lot, so I hope I can make a good comparison.

Firstly, the things that first stood out on the beach. As with the 13m that I tested a few days ago, the 2013 has been significantly lightened. Thin race bridals are standard, there is slightly less Dacron all over, and the webbing-type material on the struts has been replaced with Dacron. The struts also seem very streamlined, with lots of small incremental changes to get the curve needed - very much like it has been very carefully thought about. Again, like the 13m compared to the 2012 it has gone even more high aspect.

It was a lonely session so I had to self launch, no problem reverse launching even with marginal wind on the beach. Plenty of power on tap, tad more than the 2012. The stability upwind was really impressive, and tacks seemed far easier than usual. My angles upwind seemed very good compared to usual.

Downwind was where it showed how special it is. It was incredibly hard to stall, and it floated up through the window when the lines were almost slack. A good way to think about it would be to imagine filling it with helium. An eerie feeling! Just to see how it would go, downwind at max VMG (as low as I could go whilst planing) I unhooked and went without issue sining the kite, with it still flying up the window, even with the depower setting at full power.

As for turning speed it does turn slightly faster than the 2012, I would attribute that to the weight saving. It turns around the wingtip, a big turn on a 17m! It feels alot more alive in the air.

Didn't get to test the relaunch, but I guess that's a good thing

I have a new favourite kite, and today despite being alone I couldn't help kiting well beyond sunset!

Hey what about on a normal twintip freeride?
What kind of windrange would be good fun?cheers

@ste

Havent really had a chance to go out with a twin tip yet, but I suspect the sweet spot will be about 9-15 knots. I will post back here later on when I test it again.

That would be great,cheers

I would just like to add to this topic that I think that the bottom end of this kite is truly incredible.

Below is the graph from yesterday, I was kiting from around 3-4pm, and did a big upwinder-downwinder in botany bay. Kite never stopped steering properly and didn't get wet. I wish Seabreeze showed the lulls!

32m Lines, and a Cabrinha 183/59.

Happy Kiting

Any news on this kite on a twintip freeride??
I'm at 85 pies on a twinny.would be nice to have
A kite working well on the 12 to 16 days.cheers
Also would be nice to demo one around Perth.

Whats the difference between the edge and the zephyr when they're both 17m?

Lots actually... I've spent a bit of time on the two back to back and feel that the Zephyr has its place as a light wind free ride kite.... But the Edge is really the standout from the two.

While the Zephyr does pull pretty hard, riding upwind needs to be constantly monitored or you find yourself being pulled downwind due to the grunty nature of it, and the fat leading edge. Where it shines, is when the wind picks up a little more than expected. The Zephyr just depowers to whatever you need, I've seen guys in over 20 with a Zephyr, regularly!

The Edge feels more refined, and it should be seeing the Zephyr is well over a year old. The LE is thinner, the bridles are thinner, the kite is higher aspect. If you know how to ride fast and effienctly, the Edge will wipe the floor with the Zephyr in the light stuff, especially on a race board. They still depower well, but nowhere near as well as the Zephyr.

For me the 17 Edge is happy from 6-13 knots... Over that i'm in trouble on a race board.

The Zephyr on the other hand, i'd be comfy from 7-18 knots if I had to... Up over 20 if I could swap to a twintip.

So - If i had to buy a really versatile kite... I'd be on the Zephyr. If I wanted to race and go faaaaast and jump high in the super light stuff - spend the extra and get an Edge, but make sure you've got a 13 to go with it once the wind picks up.

^^^ wot he said... i have both kites. the only thing the Zephyr is better for is waves. in all other respects the edge is a far better kite. (disclaimer - i dont do unhooked)... the 17 edge is now my bread and butter (non-wave) kite. go's from 9 or 10 with the sector, through to low to mid 20's on a twinnie.

Used my zephyr for the first time on Saturday- riding a twin tip - extremely comfortable in 8-18 knots, occasionally overpowered but not at all scary / difficult to deal with- very pleased with it! But yes Jordan. Does tear around on the edge in nothing so would expect to rate that too!

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T one said...
^^^ wot he said... i have both kites. the only thing the Zephyr is better for is waves. in all other respects the edge is a far better kite. (disclaimer - i dont do unhooked)... the 17 edge is now my bread and butter (non-wave) kite. go's from 9 or 10 with the sector, through to low to mid 20's on a twinnie.

Hey tony how goes it? That's a big bloody kite to use in that nice 16 to 20 knot range?

Howdy mate, all good except for a complete lack of wind here. Got an unseasonal week of s/e in Bali a coupla weeks ago, so shouldnt complain
i like to be as powered as possible within reason, and we get so much light stuff, that i kinda crave that overpowered feeling. the 17 edge is a dream to ride for such a big kite. moderate bar pressure, turns well, boosts, hangs etc etc ... really lovin it, just ordered a 13M for the 20kn+ days in the wet season.
keep in mind our 20 knots is a bit less grunty than yours...
although i had it out at the pond at safety bay that week in mid sept when the seabreezes came thru and that was alltime fun!!
cheers T

Yeh must admit I saw you rocketing on that edge in Bali, was sitting with family in some jpint and saw this spray of water whiz by, realised it was you on the edge. think you were just looking into it as another option to your dyno. Glad ya stoked mate, seeya next year.