I know its been done to death but I would like to know opinions on lightwind Kites 12-13m kite for TT and 75kgs
I dont need to get going at 8 knots but looking for a lightweight, low end kite that doesn't get overpowered at 18 knots

I was out last saturday in Perth and there was a guy on a 13m xbow and going up wind on a normal TT way before anyone else.... and at Kitestock there was a airush 13m with all the 17m kites

Not looking at buying new so 2009-2010

I weigh 80kgs and do a heap of light wind riding. In the past I used Switchblade 12m and in the past couple of years I used Crossbow 13. Both kinds of kites work fine. Ihave long arms and I can ride quite fine in well over 20 knots, although I much prefer my 10 in stronger winds.

More important than the kite is having the right board. You want minimal rocker and fairly large. Wider is better than longer because long boards flex which increases the rocker. A sheet of ply is almost perfect as a light wind board.

In the past I would have said that surfboards are bad for light wind kiting (and they are). There are some new surfboard style boards coming out with minimal rocker and they seem to go quite well.

Light wind kiting also takes a fair amount of skill. The biggest mistake most people make if flying the kite with the bar pulled in too far and the kite is half stalled. I have been out riding going upwind when guys on 16m kites have been going downwind.

BTK,
At 75kg the Cabrinha Switchblade 12m, Crossbow 11 or 13m could be the kite you need, for the wind range you want. Both the Crossbow and Switchblade have great low end power. The Switchblade tends to power up sooner and has less of a top end than the Crossbow, but in its own right can still have a wide wind range. Complement the kites mentioned with a good board such as the Cabrinha Caliber or the Nobile T5, NHP, Fifty50 or 2HD and you will be easily riding in 14-22k. Getting the right size board will naturally be important.

That 13m at kitestock was a Airush Lithium 13m light wind. check it out.

www.airush.com/2011/products/lithium_lw/

slightly different from the standard lithium awesome low end.

Try skim boards if you want to get going in the lighter conditions.
While you may not be boosting and doing great airborn tricks (nobody else is either) there are shimmies and olleys etc. All great fun.
The main thing is you are out on the water having fun, while the others are struggling and doing the walk of shame.

I ride a North Skim Fish, but there are other brands out there that probably do similar. I have North Rebel kites, but none bigger than a 12 meter, and I have lits of great days in light conditions, and it rockets up wind.

Also a guy I kite with has a North Pantom, (strapped twin tip) basically a barn door. He's a bigger guy, and he gets going a lot of time in marginal conditions, on a 11 Meter Rebel. Big board little kite.

Have fun!!!

yeh that or you could keep your current biggest kite and get a course board. they get going in ridiculously little amounts of wind. ridden the Airush sector V2 sick addition to the kit they are. and it doesnt take that much skill to ride. heard the north boards are harder to ride and more expensive.