I have closely examined and flown the new Cabrinha Contra 14 for 3 days and would like to comment on:

1.Materials:

The materials used on the Contra LE are exactly the same as the ones used on the Crossbow. I have compared the Contra 14 with a brand new Crossbow and the look and feel of the materials of the struts, etc. are identical in both kites. The kite should be as resistant as the Crossbow is.

2.Production Quality & Finish:

Overall impression is that the kite is of outstanding quality and finish. The following items have been improved when compared to the Crossbow or Switchblade models:

Bar:
?Bar is much cleaner. The permanent power adjustment straps are made out of a bungy material and integrated with the new override system. So no more 'dangly' bits hanging around.
?The grip of the bar has also been improved. It really makes it easy to keep your hands 'gripped' to it and reduces the risk of the bar 'slipping' out of your hand. Some heavy users of the previous bars have mentioned that the grey rubber was coming off. This is very unlikely with the new manufacturing process. It looks like it will last forever.
?The 'pigtails' on the end of the lines have been replaced with reinforced ones (spliced with stitching).

Kite:
?The SPRINT system works perfectly. It looks like it's been built with very high quality and standards. Superb finish. It also seems easy to remove if fixing of a bladder is required. All parts are easy to unscrew or detach.
?Key areas of the kite have been reinforced. The struts have additional webbing where they are attached to the leading edge. They have also added additional webbing to the points where the struts are connected to the kite surface.
?The stitching method on the leading edge (haven't checked other areas) has been changed to a stronger one. Instead of using a stitching where one end is folded under the other one and then stitched (I think it's called 'French' stitching), the Contra now has both ends laid one on top of the other and then stitched.
?All bridle lines that have pulleys running on them have been upgraded to a thicker/stronger line.
?While comparing the kite to a Crossbow it seems to me that the 3 bridle attachment points towards the tips of the kite have been moved closer together. This is likely to be having the effect of quicker turns.
?The length of the bridles has been reduced. This is likely to minimise the risks of inversions.
?An additional pump adapter for inflation of the kite has been permanently attached to the centre strut. So everyone can now borrow a mates pump and use it with the Cabrinha centre inflation valve if necessary. Note that the original pump comes with all three adapters as with the other two bow models.

Bag:
?Although the bag has some similarities to the one used for the other bows some basic improvements have been made. That annoying dangly pocket bag (that carries the manual and repair kit) is now permanently attached/integrated into the main bag.
?Although the bar comes with an extra bag, the main kite bag has a smartly integrated pouch for the kite bar. The pouch is perforated to ensure the bar dries.
?The attachment clips for boards have been reinforced and upgraded to stronger ones.


3.Kite Performance:

Overall the kite delivers on the promise to be an excellent light wind kite. But I felt it over delivers on boosting, hang time and turning speed. Wow!!!

?The bar pressure on the Contra 14 is less than the current bar pressure on a Switchblade 12!
?The visual appearance of the kite (shape) appears to be somewhat in between of a Crossbow and a Switchblade. That also translates into many of its flying characteristics (best of both worlds).
?The 14 turns like a Switchblade 12.
?It is delivers more power on transitions than the Crossbow. More similar to the Switchblade.
?It jumps and delivers hang time more like a Crossbow
?The unlocking and locking of the stopper ball (override system) is much easier than with the previous version
?The power adjustment through the new bungy straps is easy and works.
?It has a bit less top end when compared to the Switchblade/Crossbow (at least that was my impression when the wind picked up and during gusts).
?When flying the kite one can clearly notice that it generates a lot of additional power through apparent wind. The faster you fly the kite the more power it delivers. It feels like a turbo charge.

I'm also going to add a review for the Contra 12. I've used it today for 3 hours.

I'm very curious to fly the 17 that I should be receiving in the next few days. I will let you know what my impressions are.


Cheers,

Moritz

P.S.: The pictures demonstrating the improvements can be found under http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2328525

Saw Luke from Kite Action in Caloundra with a 19.5 new contra down at Golden Beach today... unfortunately the Southerly we were hoping for didn't materialise however the kite looked great.

What were your impressions Luke? Did you get up and riding in the end?

Also, why are Cabrinha making 12m and 14m light wind kites when the Crossbow and Switchblade are around?

Nick

Just answered a couple of my own questions from the cabrinha website:

Q: What is the Contra bow kite?
A: The Contra is a specialized light wind bow kite.

Q: What is a specialized light wind bow kite.
A: It means that this kite was designed to perform its best in light winds and more specifically, in the lower end of its wind range. In comparison to the Crossbow and Switchblade kites, which are also great light wind kites, the Contra is designed to provide more efficiency on the low end.

Q: Who will benefit the most from a kite like this?
A: Anyone who rides in predominantly light winds that blow between 8 and 20 knots.

Q: How come the wind minimums are not lower than the Crossbow or the Switchblade?
A: That was not our intention. We set out to make a kite that would out perform all kites in light winds. This means we wanted a kite that would behave like a smaller kite with the power and pull of a big kite.

Q: What was done differently from the Crossbow and Switchblade to make this kite perform better in lighter winds.
A: The original Crossbow and Switchblades have profiles which make them powerful yet easily de-powerable. The Contra has gone one better with faster flying profiles which increase their flying speed from point A to B. This makes the kite more efficient and allows a higher level of performance for the given wind speeds.

Nice of you to spend so much effort sharing your thoughts on Cabrinha kites with the world... particularly good of you to post on every forum... most considerate of you old chap to not post in the review sections - no-one looks in there...

Perhaps you’d like to tell us about those shiny new FLX's you get every year.

Perhaps you’re not soliciting for mates rates.

Perhaps you really are just passionate about these products and it’s merely coincidence that they are KP’s lead brands.

Perhaps you do pay close to RRP.

Perhaps you’re not hypocritical lecturing Fo on probity and commercial confidences.

Perhaps your locale on KF should be blank after all...

How much are the 17's selling for? (Steve, anyone...)

where the bloody hell is paulios big bloody contra!

peter cabrinha should hand deliver it,

and accept an invite from paulios nan to stay for the weekend.

Question: Does Moritz = Phillipp

Regards,

Yeah,,That's what it means,,

LOL, for more info check out Flamer's Paradise over at kite forum.

No further comment is required.

Hey, get some popcorn and check it out...smile

Right-on rock-on with yo moritz on

If you look at this the right way, it's pretty damn funny...

I'm enjoying it anyway...

Regards
fo

The Xes Laro <> Oral Sex incident, was the motovation that inspired Toby's anti pimp initiative....not a small thing, but a very real and very troubling thing.

Know your players.

So glad someone copied this article from Kiteforum, why dont you try a Harry Potter book next and try and pass it off for yours.

G'day Buzz

How are you going getting some decent wind?
Maybe not since you are interested in a 17M?

The prices and details will be up on my website very soon.

The 17M RR is around $2500, of course you would not pay that because you do not have to pay the GST tax.

Drop me a line if you are interested, my 17's should arrive no later than tomorrow, 12's and 14's in stock now.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

quote:

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Originally posted by Buzz

How much are the 17's selling for? (Steve, anyone...)

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Thanks for that Steve ... we've had **** wind here the last 2 months ... looking at Boracay or Vietnam later this month or early July ...

cheers,
Buzz

quote:

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Originally posted by Kitepower Australia

G'day Buzz

How are you going getting some decent wind?
Maybe not since you are interested in a 17M?

The prices and details will be up on my website very soon.

The 17M RR is around $2500, of course you would not pay that because you do not have to pay the GST tax.

Drop me a line if you are interested, my 17's should arrive no later than tomorrow, 12's and 14's in stock now.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

quote:

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Originally posted by Buzz

How much are the 17's selling for? (Steve, anyone...)

---

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G'day Sunseeker

Tht must be one of last years kites, the new 2006 Contra only comes in 12, 14 and 17M.

The new Contras, are an upgrade or second generation bow. The have a number of significant improvements over the previous bows and do deliver more bottom end, even though the current kites have a great range.

Their Sprint single point inflation system is very neat and works extremely well.

Kite Action should have some 2006 Contras real soon.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

PS Due to a shipping glitch, my 17's will not arrive until tomorrow, provided someone at fedex pulls the finger out!

quote:

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Originally posted by sunseeker

Saw Luke from Kite Action in Caloundra with a 19.5 new contra down at Golden Beach today... unfortunately the Southerly we were hoping for didn't materialise however the kite looked great.

What were your impressions Luke? Did you get up and riding in the end?

Also, why are Cabrinha making 12m and 14m light wind kites when the Crossbow and Switchblade are around?

Nick

---

Thanks Steve
for pointing that out...
I reckon the Contra is a great kite. I have a 2005 16.5m Contra which I use heaps on the Sunshine Coast especially this time of year.
I reckon the new 14m Contra probably has the same pull as my 16.5 C-kite and is probably lighter and quicker.

Hi Nick,
I did not really get up and planing that well on that Sunday arvo.
but I did have a lot of fun trying and flying that big beast on the beach! I think the wind picked up to 8knts in the end still not quite enough to really be able to enjoy things.Fanastic Kite all the same. I have been fully away on the plane in 10knts before with that kite.Defernatly got me going earlyer than on a 16 CrossBow wich was a supprise! and had a much better up wind perfomance in the really light stuff due to its aspect ratio.


The kite I was useing was a 19.5 06 Contra but it was one of the first ones for the season with a 5th line C shape before the Bow one came out.Confusing a bit having 2 Contras relesed in one year.I belive that the Bow style Contra that is out now will be the same for 2007 not sure on this yet.But I can not imagine a kite that is only been relesed so late in the season changing again in Augast september when the new CrossBow Switchblades come out.

Are you correct Steve in Calling the New Contra a 2006 model?
Or is it a early 07?


Regards
Luke.

Hi Luke

I'm sure it is 2006, the new Contra that is.
When was the Contra you were using first released, maybe it actually was an 05 model, that what I understood them to be?
Pretty sure thats how they are listed in the prices lists too?

Its way too early to be releasing 07 gear, no one would take that seriously, would they?

Fedex, after some severe finger extraction techniques were able to allow us to pick up our 17M Contras today.

Any way when we got back to the shop with the kites Botany Bay was starting to look like glass. Moritz and the French connection decided to take one for a test look/inflation on the beach, they were not expecting the kite to fly.

A customer came into the shop and commented that a big red bow kite was somehow flying in almost no wind over at Dolls, then I got a call from an excited Frank. I rode over on my bike to see the Contra, not only flying but lifting Marine off the beach and dragging her dad!!

I have some pictures that I will post tomorrow, the water is so smooth you can see the clouds reflection.

I would estimate the wind strength to be no more than 2-3 knots, the kite was flying and could even be parked with care. We landed the kite on the beach an it just sat LE into the very light breeze, not a single flap could be heard the wind was so light. It was not necessary to sand or hold the kite in this position (wait till you see the pics).

Everyone was simply saying that is amazing - in relation to how the kite flys so well. It turns like a kite much smaller, more like the 12/14 Contra.

Hopefully we will get to try the kite on the water tomorrow!

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

Sheesh moritz - what ever happened to the NO PIMPING rule?

quote:

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Originally posted by anton

Question: Does Moritz = Phillipp

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yeah... and on that note, could you possibly elaborate on your affiliation with Cabrinha and/or a kite retailer I'm not bashing as I ride Cabrinha's myself but its a interesting avitar/description you post on kiteforum.com

I have paid for all the kites I have owned so far (including the Contra). I'm not affiliated with any brand or shop at the moment. I pay retail (not RRP - as no one does I would hope), but I don't get them at wholesale or team rider pricing. I probably get a better price than some as I buy a lot of kites every year.

If this changes I will surely change my profile at Kiteforum as it is now required by Toby (who by the way does an outstanding job as a moderator). For those not familiar with the rules, all Kiteforum members have to disclose their affiliation (team riders, shop owners, distributors and gratis gear receivers). Toby has asked for this as it makes it easier for others to read the posts coming from affiliated forum members with a pinch of salt.

With regards to some comments about my relationship to Kitepower/Steve I have to say the following:
1. Kitepower has a great range of kite products.
2. It has at least one kite for demo from each brand. This is very important for me as I like to try new kites to see if there is something I like better in the market.
3. The service I get in case I need something new or something repaired is outstanding
4. It's location is ideal when I go kiting.
5. Steve is a friend, but business is business. He needs to pay bills and I need to pay for the gear I buy. It's pretty straight forward.

So why don't you guys stop whining or hide behind your little forum names. If you have an issue come talk to me. At least the ones that have the guts to do it get a little respect from me.

Are we clear now.


Moritz

quote:

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Sorry guys, but I don't get this. I thought this forum was about kite surfing and that gear reviews are part of our sport. So if someone like myself can't write a review about a kite I just tested without being called a pimp who can???

1. I have always ridden what I like (I had Naish, Slingshot, Wipika, North, Flexifoil, Best and now Cabrinha). Currently Cabrinha is what I like best.

2. I always test new gear to see if there is something I like better than what I currently have. Some of you may say I'm full of **** for spending so much money on kiteboarding. Well, I work hard and kite boarding is what I look forward to. So let me do what I want with my money, and I won't tell you what should do with yours.

3. I have put quite a bit of time into those reviews and tried to be as objective as I can.

4. I have only compared the Contra to other Cabrinha kites. Unlike some of you guys, I haven't made other kites from other brands look bad in those comparisons

5. I have never at any point (again, unlike quite a few here) made claims that the Contra is the best kite ever, the highest jumping kite, the best hang time, the best wind range, etc.

People complain about any reviews:

Magazines: Complaint - They can't write anything bad about gear because they are affraid to lose the advertiser. Conlusion = No good. You guys will complain

Team Rider: Complaint - Team riders have to write good things about their brand. Otherwise they will lose their team rider deal. Conclusion = No good. You guys will complain

Shop Owner: Complaint - The shop owner has a financial interest. Conclusion = No good. You guys complain

Hmmm.... Conclusion = Let's not make any reviews, because you guys (the ones that complain) only like reading reveiws about your own brand and only if it's good. My conclusion = Stupid and No good.

So if you're not interested in a review don't read it. No one forces you to do so. But there are quite a few people thinking about what to buy and there are far too many choices to demo. Personally I would hope to see more reviews on Seabreeze so I know what I want to test next.

I can only summarize these reactions as poor form.

Moritz

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I tried the new Contra 14m... it was red

Intro: Swan River - Attadale foreshore/Pt Walter (aka The Spit) in our erractic Perth Easterlies. Condtions were approxiamately 5kts lighter standing on the beach than that shown by the graph ... (sever error won't allow upload yet). Used the kite from 2-4pm in around 8-11kots, gusting to ???

I weigh in at 65kg and originally out on my 12m Crossbow and directional keeping upwind; my 133 twin tip dragged me down wind in the lulls.

Agree with majority of points by Moritz - exceptional build quality/ materials/finish etc. Overall the bar is a very tidy unit - it is rounder and feels very comfy, whilst bar pressure is also very light (<12m xbow/fitzy mod.) and the override system works a treat.

Starting off, the kite turned stubbornly, like a 16m xbow but remember I a small rider and this was probably at its bottom end. Once moving though it really did power up and truck along so this was not a problem. You could really feel the power via the apparant wind. The gusts didn't help which leads me to the depower/power adjustments on the centre line.

Kiting on the Swan can be gusty at the best of times so trimming the Crossbow on the fly is easy and it didin't matter where I grabbed those rigid straps however I found the Contra bungy cords fiddly and difficult and probably excaserbated by the cold chill. The use of larger balls on the ends may help but I guess people who don't trim or swivel their bar much will love the tidy nature of it.

Overall, it was constructed beautifully and was a great kite to fly in otherwise sh1tty conditions. It would be interesting in stronger winds and its top end but I probably won't buy one, I am just happy use a directional board with my bows for light winds - not often in WA. The Contra though, could be the precursor to whats to come for the 2007 bows

Yea, was there with Anton, agee with everything. It picks up grunt, turns nice, but is still a big slow kite. Could have used a 17m this morning though...but for 10 goes a year when you want to fly in <10 knots, it is an expensive proposition; I'll stick to my 12m for now.

I wish Puppet where here with his 17m Speed, now that's what's needed in light winds.