shop/team rider
My Comments:
My Comments:
Got to ride all 3 kites back to back today in very light 10 to 15 knots at sandgate. I rode all 3 kites on both an Underground Stella and an Underground Styx 142x 43.
I weighed 96kgs this morning.
The wind came and went all day but was mostly very light.
It was interesting to watch the tide rising and falling today it was very unusual.
I rode the 13m first ...it got me going nicely. Turns much faster than last years model, was able to do kite loop transitions. Went up wind well on both boards. Definitely the bottom end of the range for my weight on the Styx but went well when combined with the Stella.
Next the 15m C4, could not get going on the Styx but was able to ride the Stella but had to work the kite hard to make any ground upwind. Other lighter riders were able to get a lot more out of the kite today but this ones not for me.
The 15m edge was clear winner for me today. Very smooth ride, felt nicely powered was able to do small boosts the kite looped nicely turns quite quickly.Comfortably made ground upwind. Very enjoyable kite to ride in todays conditions on both boards.
Hey Rusty, thanks for the info.
One question, at 97 kgs would the edge 13m could stay upwind at 9-10 knots with a twin skimboard or a lightwind board.
I ask this because if so, I think the wind range o the 13m could be huge and better than the 15m.
Hope you can help with some feedback before I make a desition between the edge 13 or the 15.
I would prefer the 13m and a lightwind board for those 9-10 knots days we have at Acapulco Mexico, and when it peaks up could just change boards and boost high, than a 15m or 17m zephyr and then when it peaks up having to change kite.
thanks and hope you can help.
hi Betomd........there is not a huge difference between the 13m and the 15m in terms of flying them. As Kitepower said with a race board or something really big the 13m will go upwind in the 10 to 15 knot wind. On this day I had no trouble going upwind on the 13m but I enjoyed the 15m much more as it was effortless. If you more often have these low winds then the 15m would be the right choice.They do fly really nice. turning speed is about the same. They loop nicely. the boost and hangtime is pretty much the same as the 13. At 97 kgs you are gonna get way more water time on the 15m, and not loose anything in terms of performance by opting for this size over a 13m. I personally would be happy to fly this kite up to 25knots.
The Ozone 15m edge does not behave like a big ol slow turning light wind kite. You would be pleasantly surprised...tough choice but if it were me then I would take the 15m.
And for the bigger days the 11m would be the perfect high wind option for you. This kite has serious power and is awesome to fly in the higher winds. Anything over 20knots and you will be on the 11m. Boost and hang time have to be experienced to be believed.
Guys, thanks for the advice, it is really helping me to decide what is better for me and the usual spots where I ride.
Thanks again.
I would also like to know about the bottom end of the Catalyst, but I think that for 2011, it only came out in 14m.
For me I think I still the edge is a better idea because of the hang time, but in wind range how does it compares to the edge 13m or 15m?
I´m very curious about 3 strut kites. Does the weight loss improve their bottom end abilities?
Thanks again.
So the Catalyst 14m would do fine in 8-10 knots and a big board, perhaps a surf board for waves in light wind, or a large skimboard?
Awesome, the Catalys 14m seems like a great option.
I´ll keep the advice in mind for big surf, butt normally when I Idon´t feel that the kite is giving me enough power I skip the waves for that sesh and just go cruisin.
I´m planning to use the kite that I´m gettin with an undergrond FLX 135 x 41 when the wind is 12 knots and up to 25.
An when it is 8 to 12 knots, I´m planning on getting a skimboard. I have set my eyes on a Liquid force Twin skim (good option for the price), a Shinn waterbird skimboard, a north skim fish, or one of the nobile options.
Have you tried this boards? Do you think they might be a good combo with the 14m Catalyst for those light days. (8-12konts for cruisin and stayng upwind, or playing with small waves in a flat and wide shallow sandy break).
Thanks again for all the feed back it is really helping me to know this facts from someone that actualy has used the gear before buying my new quiver.
