Looking at getting a Drifter as my second kite, around the 8-9m size.
Plenty of runout 2014 specials on at the moment.

Can anyone give a comparison between the 2014 & 2015 models?

Is it worth the extra $$ for the 2015?

Also, I notice from the wind range charts that the 8m 2015 model seems to have the same range as the 2014 9m. Is this correct, or just marketing BS?

My main kite is a 2015 11m Switchblade.

Cheers
Wicksy

Anyone? Anyone?

Hi Mate,

I went from a 2012 switchblade 7m and 10m quiver to a 2014 Drifter 8m and 11m quiver... the drifters have less power than the switchblades. I'm not sure about the 2015's as I haven't tried them. Perhaps Cabrinha made them with a bit more grunt? Anyway if you are getting a 2014 Drifter and you are used to the switchblade get a number up from the one you were thinking getting. What's your weight?? I'm 6' and between 80-85 Kg and 2014 Drifters 8m and 11m are perfect for me...

Thanks for the info.

Im about 78kg, hoping to cover a wind range of about 12-30kts, on both surfboards & TT's.

What wind range are you getting from your 11 & 9, and on what types of boards?

Cheers

Select to expand quote

Wicksy said..
Thanks for the info.

Im about 78kg, hoping to cover a wind range of about 12-30kts, on both surfboards & TT's.

What wind range are you getting from your 11 & 9, and on what types of boards?

Cheers

I have both a 2014 (11m) & 2015 (9m) (Drifters) - after having upgraded my 2014 (9m)(Drifter).
The main differences between the '14 & '15 are: 1. first stage safety release mechanism (easier to reassemble on '15) 2. The bar ends have rubberised extensions (probably to protect your board - but I actually prefer the '14).
The canopy is basically the same (maybe different materials here and there) - but why change something that isn't broken?
i'm 95kg, mostly ride surfboards in the surf and I find the 9m is my main kite (SE Qld). I had a 2014 switchy (12m) but returned it as it was so slow compared to the drifters. Both '14 & '15 drifters are fantastic - so i'd go a '14 without question - especially this time of year.

Thanks Stitches,

Im thinking the 9m Drifter will crossover the wind range of my 11m Switchblade pretty well. Apparently the 2015 bar also works with the 2014 kites, so that would make the 2014 Drifter a good option, as you suggested.
Cheers.

Select to expand quote

Stitches said..

Wicksy said..
Thanks for the info.

Im about 78kg, hoping to cover a wind range of about 12-30kts, on both surfboards & TT's.

What wind range are you getting from your 11 & 9, and on what types of boards?

Cheers

I have both a 2014 (11m) & 2015 (9m) (Drifters) - after having upgraded my 2014 (9m)(Drifter).
The main differences between the '14 & '15 are: 1. first stage safety release mechanism (easier to reassemble on '15) 2. The bar ends have rubberised extensions (probably to protect your board - but I actually prefer the '14).
The canopy is basically the same (maybe different materials here and there) - but why change something that isn't broken?
i'm 95kg, mostly ride surfboards in the surf and I find the 9m is my main kite (SE Qld). I had a 2014 switchy (12m) but returned it as it was so slow compared to the drifters. Both '14 & '15 drifters are fantastic - so i'd go a '14 without question - especially this time of year.

Hey Stitches,

I'm surprised the 9m is your main kite at your weight, as I'm roughly same weight and 11m drifter is my main kite. As a matter of interest, what size/type of board/s are you riding.

Thanks in advance.

Select to expand quote

Slashrockson said..

Stitches said..

Wicksy said..
Thanks for the info.

Im about 78kg, hoping to cover a wind range of about 12-30kts, on both surfboards & TT's.

What wind range are you getting from your 11 & 9, and on what types of boards?

Cheers

I have both a 2014 (11m) & 2015 (9m) (Drifters) - after having upgraded my 2014 (9m)(Drifter).
The main differences between the '14 & '15 are: 1. first stage safety release mechanism (easier to reassemble on '15) 2. The bar ends have rubberised extensions (probably to protect your board - but I actually prefer the '14).
The canopy is basically the same (maybe different materials here and there) - but why change something that isn't broken?
i'm 95kg, mostly ride surfboards in the surf and I find the 9m is my main kite (SE Qld). I had a 2014 switchy (12m) but returned it as it was so slow compared to the drifters. Both '14 & '15 drifters are fantastic - so i'd go a '14 without question - especially this time of year.

Hey Stitches,

I'm surprised the 9m is your main kite at your weight, as I'm roughly same weight and 11m drifter is my main kite. As a matter of interest, what size/type of board/s are you riding.

Thanks in advance.

Rockson, my main boards are a naish fish (2012?) - 5'6 x 22" - as lighter wind / small wave option & a global 5'9" x 18" for bigger surf / higher winds - the thing I like most about the drifter is that you can 'work it' (sine) through the wind window so quickly that it develops more grunt to get / keep you planing. In fact there doesn't seem to be much 'extra power' in the additional 2m (11m) - so I find more and more than the 9m comes out & I don't bother with the 11m - if it gets too light then I'll resort to the zephyr - but as said the 9m is easily the most used kite in my quiver.
when the guys first sold me the 9m I was sceptical and thought is would be a high wind kite only - but even our gusty northerlies (15-20 knots) are great for for it - I suppose the fish is unusually wide & carries little rocker - but I think it's more the kite than the board?