The forum did not let me pull out the old thread on this although there was not much.
Is there nobody here in Oz riding this kite ?
I am seriously looking for a light wind kite and so far this kite has the best reviews.
I have read and watched a lot of reviews about the latest Dyno, Zephyre, Riot Xr2LW, the Argo 17 and a couple of others and the most convincing conclusions lead to the Fat Lady.
I have read in European forums (different languages) where the information about most kites is more detailed than here, so the conclusion looks more informed and objective... nevertheless it would be of interest if somebody has flown it here in Perth because I wanted to know if one can use any 4 line bar or if one needs the blade one since they claim that the kite was developed on its own. They only list a 19m line, which is a bit short.
I will also post the question in a couple of European forums if I do not get an answer here.
The kite looks very interesting for a low wind although I am flying also Core and North kites and was tempted more with a 17 XR2 LW than a Dyno, but what I have heard and read about the Fat Lady sounds very good ..
I only want the kite for lower winds and will most likely fly it with a Carved Predator and eventually with a North LTD and also have a Riot XR2 11 for anything from 12/13 knots until I go smaller... The 11m Riot has a similar low end than my 12m Rebel but is much quicker in the air and so much more fun to ride. But I want something for the range from 7-8 knots.

I am just curious if anyone flies the Fat Lady in Perth.

regards
gmd

The fat lady is good but from what I have read is that it will only have you on the water from 8 knots and jumping at 10. Have heard from a very credible source that the new xr2lw 19 is a rediculously light kite (as light as the 17) and the owner has said he was still moving in 4 knots.

The other kite I can suggest that has been recently tested over here is the epic infinity, the owner has been kiting on it in 6-8 knots on his airush sector. He also said it would have enough pull for someone of my weight (65kg) to have me going on a large twinnie at 6 knots.

Josh

Thanks Josh for your answer.

I have read about the Epic and seen a couple of backpackers with an Infinity in Sandy Bay. Check out the bar of the fat lady and the epic infinity very closely, also check the design features ... they could be twins .. I don't really care who borrowed from whom but they resemble each other pretty close. I guess the characteristics in flight are also very similar with the three struts, the thinner leading edge then most others in that size.

Regarding the Core 19 you mentioned. I would not go for a 19 because I am not 100kg+, the 17 would do for me with 85 dry. The 19 should only bring marginally more in the low end, which is not really that significant with a big board. I am certain that I will get a Core Riot XR2 13.5 eventually anyway to bridge the gap. Not just the LW from Core are lighter, all Cores are light compared to my Norths for example and they pack much smaller. I really do like my Cores but the 3 strut design of the fat lady and the epic for that matter appeals more because I expect them to be even longer in the air than a Core.

I guess the differences of a fat lady and an epic are minimal and it comes down to price and what bar you can use with it ..
I do not feel like buying another bar (even though a longer one might be handy), but I'd rather use a North 5 line or the Core 4 line if I can, preferably the Core because I find the system superior to the North in the latest generation .. and the lines are stronger.

I don't expect wonders but anything in that class is better than my 16m Rhino.

Do you use the epic bar or anything else ?

I think that the Fat Lady can be flown 4 or 5 line. The specs on the website do not say .. how good is that ? I might be blind though and did not see it ...

How about the epic ? same thing ?

The manufacturers should put decent specs on their websites because all the retailers copy them and you get nothing but incomplete info in a couple of google pages. For example: North does not even specify weight on their boards ..

Anyway .. I think the epic and the fat lady are pretty close on paper and in real live from what you read from independent sources ... I mean I do not read the marketing hype and the dealer statements ... I compared some statements from dealers here with my real life experiences and found that I better not listen to biased statements anymore .. I mean that's common sense anyway isn't it ..

thanks for your time
regards
gmd

@ gmd:

I've not flow either, but to answer your question re similarity, both kites were designed by the same designer 'Momi' - he designs for both Epic & Blade. The word is he's a great designer.

This link to a test of the Fat Lady may be of interest to you. It looks to be a very good kite. - thelazyrando.wordpress.com/2011/07/15/blade-kites-fat-lady/

Hope this helps. Again, I've not flown either and am not affiliated with either brand. Just love kites and (good) kite design

Hi,

PM me your details and I will arrange a demo.


Epic & Fat lady bars were designed by the CEO of Blade kites for Epic, This is why they are simialr.

Hi,

Sorry,

Call Jason at West OZ kiteboarding, He may have one. If not I will organise.

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BladeKites said...

Hi,

PM me your details and I will arrange a demo.


Epic & Fat lady bars were designed by the CEO of Blade kites for Epic, This is why they are simialr.

As are they both designed by MoMi ;)

Howdy,

I own and ride a fat lady in the sandgate/brighton area in Brisbane, with a 50cm blade bar and cabrinha caliber 2010 134cm board. I'm about 85kg.

I usually find I can get out and stay upwind in about 11-12knots. This may seem a little high but to be honest I have always generally found I need more wind than recommended on most kites I ride, so I don't know if its some combination of my style weight or board.

There has been a couple of times I've been the only one up and pottering around at the beach which has been kind of satisfying. However I don't have a lot of experience with light wind kites so take what I say with a grain of salt.

I spoke to a local instructor (seemed larger than me) who said he had owned one and could get up and going in 8 knots with a light wind board.

Also don't have a lot of experience with light wind kites so take what I say with a grain of salt. More here to just represent than anything :)

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adante said...

Howdy,

I own and ride a fat lady in the sandgate/brighton area in Brisbane, with a 50cm blade bar and cabrinha caliber 2010 134cm board. I'm about 85kg.

I usually find I can get out and stay upwind in about 11-12knots. This may seem a little high but to be honest I have always generally found I need more wind than recommended on most kites I ride, so I don't know if its some combination of my style weight or board.

There has been a couple of times I've been the only one up and pottering around at the beach which has been kind of satisfying. However I don't have a lot of experience with light wind kites so take what I say with a grain of salt.

I spoke to a local instructor (seemed larger than me) who said he had owned one and could get up and going in 8 knots with a light wind board.

Also don't have a lot of experience with light wind kites so take what I say with a grain of salt. More here to just represent than anything :)

I'd say this has a fair bit to do with your light wind experience. I know for a fact this kite would work under 11 knots, a 12m kite is usually sufficient for this amount of wind.

Could have a lot to do with your board, should try and pair it with a light wind dedicated board and you may manage to double your days on the water coming into winter :)

I've got the Fat Lady and like it. At 98kg she'll get me going in ~8 knots on a big skimboard. My last sesh the wind weakened to maybe 6 knots? I could still get moving, but had to work for it & lost ground.

On an Airush Switch Exile (the lightwind version: 146 x 46) I needed way more wind (closer to 12 knots) to stay on the plane comfortably.

Oh yeah. It's great being able to stay out longer than the pint-sized grommets.

I tried the Core 19LW about a week ago with the wind at average of 10 knots (peaked prop. @ 11 knots low @ 8. knots)
I weigh 100 kg and had a 6' directional board.
The kite was suprisingly very fast turning in the air and doing downloop transitions were possible @ 10 knots while also tacking/staying upwind easily.

Try the 2012 Airush Varial-x race (VXR) 17m! I'm 95kg and going on a TT 140 in 10knots and if i am riding Choptop LW in 8knots. and yes keeping up wind.
Massive boost and Stable kite.
If in WA try hook Jason from West Oz Kiteboarding for a demo or even Airborne.
No Reviews out for it as yet but make your own mind up.
Very high aspect. turns fast for a 17m and small leading edge so cuts through wind nice. follow link below for airush site.
Least i know i have to pull in depower in 12knts!

www.airush.com/2012/Kite.php?l=en&id=3

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BladeKites said...

Hi,

PM me your details and I will arrange a demo.


Epic & Fat lady bars were designed by the CEO of Blade kites for Epic, This is why they are simialr.

ceo - give me a break. a kite bum that kites everyday and has a second rate kite business on the side does not a ceo make. hes no alan joyce!