I have been kiting for a little over a year now. I learn't on a on F-one M2 12M which was ok for learning on. I then bought a 17M 2005 Fuel and also found that ok for the lighter wind days.
I have just recently bought a 06 Naish 12m Shockwave and found it to be totally different to C kites and i love it. I went out yesterday and had to use my 17m Fuel again, i found that i had a terrible time with it and just couldn't use it very well.
My question is, has anyone else experenced similar problems when having and using both C and SLE kites?
I am thinking for getting rid of the 17m Fuel and buying a 16m SLE/BOW of sorts. The thing is i have heard from a couple of people that big BOW/SLE Kites still arn't much chop??

I just really like the way SLE/BOW's work and am keen to make them my only quiever.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks in Advance

I have been kiting for 2 years now. Had a SS Deisel 15m as my first kite then moved on to a GK Sonic 14m which was hard to learn to trim and fly in light winds but turned out to be an awesome kite. Have just purchased a Waroo Pro 13m which is in a different league all together.

I weigh between 105 to 110kg (depending on what was for brekkie that day!). The guy who recommended the Waroo Pro to me talked me out of getting the 15m which I am gratefull for. My focus is now surfing and I wanted a smaller faster turning kite with the same power as the GK 14m. The Waroo Pro has amazing grunt for a 13m, more than the Sonic 14m and also has a real solid forgiving feel (you can hang off the bar in light winds without stalling the kite!). Feels like you are flying a grunty 16 or 17m but turns like a 13m.

Have had it out in everything from 30knts (unplanned squall! scary but very stable enabling me to get in and land the kite safely) to about 8knots using the outgoing tide in a river to stay powered. Tried a Matrix 16.5 the same day and was less powered on it. Also had trouble keeping the bigger kite flying in the light wind. The kite is rock solid, predictable, turns well (apparently not as fast as the standard Waroo 13m). The lift is incredible and the jumps are very controllable with lots of float (I am only just learning to jump so am pleased with the control in the air). In the surf the kite is fully depowerable on a wave and does not fall backwards when you are surfing with no power in the kite (something the big Sonic did).

Over all if you are a heavier guy looking for the best of both worlds (solid grunt and a manouverable kite). I reckon you cant go past the Waroo Pro 13m. Loved my Sonic but have definately made a large step in the right direction with this new kite. If you are below 80kg I would recommend the Waroo Pro 11m as smaller is always better providing the grunt is there.

Would advise trying the Waroo Pro and standard Waroo (2007) side by side to see if the extra grunt is worth the money. For a heavy bastard like me it certainly is.

Would strongly recommend staying away from bigger kites of any type. Use the new technology. Hopefully we will all be flying 8m kites on 10m lines in a year or 2.

By the way I have the 55cm 2007 bar with 23m lines. Definately go for the bigger bar on the 13m (55cm) and if you will be mainly using it in light winds 25m lines will give even more grunt and lift.

Cheers

Went out yesterday with a 9m bow (Liquid Force Assault II) in gusty conditions 20-32kts, and it was the best sess I had to date. Unlike my previous bows (Waroos), the Assault (touchwood) never even came close to or tried to invert at anytime. I felt in total control and my gawd, dont ride them if you are scared of heights lol! The day before I went out on the same model but 16m when conditions were marginal. It was stable as, once it goes, it goes like a tank. You should really try them yourself and see how they feel. With the number of bows I have tested, I think the 16 is the mark when you feel the big kites with most brands.

quote:

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Originally posted by padi

and my gawd, dont ride them if you are scared of heights lol!

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Heights hey? Yeah you really go massive dude. I saw you at least 2 feet off the water one day. You should go pro!!!