That's how I see it too, Danny. I view riding in sub 13 as really just sight seeing. Big kite, slightly smaller, all you are doing is mowing either way. One way might feel more powered, but you are still rarely leaving the water's surface. But, if it picks up to "fun wind", you are already to rock, just by switching boards. I have zero interest in having to switch kites right when the wind gets good.

Around here, where it goes from 11 to 20 in a heartbeat (and quite frequently on Easts), I don't want to be re-rigging when the good stuff hits.

It's more of a philosophy or approach, not so much anything else.
Also, if riding hooked in all the time, it's not so crucial if you are on a larger kite (15m) when it picks up. I could hold that down to 25 knots, and did just that for a full season on my 15m Hyper. My mind set regarding bigger kites in 20 knots has changed quite a bit once I started unhooking though. Unhooking overpowered just isn't really do-able (at least not for me). Meanwhile, riding hooked in litt out of your mind is easy peezy with today's kites.

I guess it depends on your mind set regarding riding overpowered. I don't have much fun if I can't unhook, so riding overpowered gets boring for me. It use to be a blast though, so I can see both sides to the "rig big" approach.
Ok, I am obviously procrastinating a project I am not wanting to do. :roll:

I think Scott is on the money with philosphy. Many things to consider when purchasing a kite for sure. We have heard that line a ton, but it is so true.

Hook vs. unhook
What range are you really trying to zone in on.
What do you want to feel like and acomplish in that range.

I too used to ride super overpowered, but not so much anymore.
I too am more interested in unhooking.
As with alot of things your gear evolves as you do.

Good luck Big G with your decision. Hope all of our feedback helped.

Hopefully all this input helps. I think Gary has enough to work with now for sure.
I got the 50 pound setup to test out what will happen in 10 knots. I am curious if I will sink.

Yeah, I am not against big kites. I rode my 15m RRD almost exclusively a couple seasons ago. I pumped it up one day in 25 to 30 with Tom. (Why is beyond me).
That kite (imo) has more juice than just about anything ever made, so obviously big kites can be ridden in a lot of wind.

I am not trying (or wanting to) put my approach on anyone or talk them out of a big kite. I mainly just wanted to get the idea out there that a great light wind kite without a great board is like putting an awesome outboard on a crusty, barnacle covered hull and expecting to haul butt.
I will always be of the philosophy the board makes a bigger difference than the kite in the light stuff.

If the boards didn't make so much difference, racers wouldn't be pursuing so many odd looking boards and new board designs.

I actually really want one of those custom race board deals. Not so much so I can win anything (cuz I won't), but just for their low end and to haul ass in 15 knots sometimes. :) I am gonna wait a year til the "right" shape is honed in on a little more and then I think I will get one.

stay away from backside... you might sink in the mud :)

I think it is already out.......... duh........ quad fin surfboards with maybe a larger two back fins and or wider tail section.

At least in my experience

R you should see the speed boards they race with in San Fran. Definitely not surf boards, though most are directionals. THey are really into the course racing thing out there. several guys making up their own designs. Cab sponsers a race series on the bay.

Thats what I'm talkin about.............. wide in the back

quad

back fins highly comprimised in some way

The new Spleen Door will be here on Friday. I do have a lot to review in these past few posts and will base my decision keeping everything considered. I only wish that in the past I would have asked more questions in relation to weight vs. kite size.

As I look back on my past kite purchases, its only this year that I've realized I'm on the higher end of this sports weight class. With that being said, what works for most riders, probably will not work as well for me in the same conditions. I like BIG wind days as I rarely leave the water feeling overpowered on my 15m when others are riding 9m and 11m's.

It sucks though to watch a couple guys tack away from the beach with there kites parked and then return to the start point and then I get in the water, and while working the kite, I still end up down wind. I'm trying to find that balance with the new board and a new kite since sitting on the beach waiting for more wind is lame.

I guess this season I could throw a grill in the truck and give Bayflight a hand with some of those delicious burgers and dogs. Oh, $hit, its to many of those damn B-B-Ques that got me this predicament. Maybe I'll have a carrot instead. Who knows, maybe I’ll share some of my ideas with him on how to rip someone off!!!! LOL....

Another thing to consider, One of the reasons I like having the bigger kite is I can switch to a smaller board in less wind and be "lit" in less wind. I prefer to be on my 132 FLX on my 17m over being on my 145x48 crazy fly on my 12m, especially in waves or chop. Not to mention I can start boosting sooner. 20-25mph + 17m contra 3 + FLX 132 = some serious speed runs on the flats. Just another think to throw in the mix.

Overall the best thing to do is make friends with these kites and try them out. There is a large amount of personal preference in kiting.

Gabe and Whitey have those race custom boards with the quad and wide tail. They are built heavy you should note. They are the same boards that Kent, Damo, and others are using. I am sure they will let you try one out. They scream upwind like no other board.

man. I want to try one of those. :)

Gary, 727 480 7320 . Bring a carrot. Seriously though, I think you will really like that Spleene.
You should also try out my surfboard next time out, if you want. That's the REAL equalizer in the light stuff. :)

Yeah Biz, it's definitely preference. I sort of forgot how much I use to like riding overpowered and let that influence me some.
After 5 years of that, I just got "over it". But, I know guys that still ride 15m kites in 20 at my size and love it.
So, it's all preference.

I have had guys look at me like I'm stupid when I tell them I ride my 11m up to 30knts, I have even had it out one time gusting past 30, but at that point ALL my depower was gone. However my 15m I don't even like riding at 20knts just too much for me to handle at 170lbs.

Yeah, an 11 isn't too bad (depending on which one). I routinely use to ride my 15m to 25 (pretty dumb).
It actually wasn't a problem, but was REALLY dumb, because if anything went wrong... BAM... I am now attached to a fully powered death trap. I think that is another thing that strongly influenced my take on riding overpowered was last season's RIDICULOUS tendency to go from 15 to 30 or more at the Skyway almost instantly. Seeing guys literally fly over trees and one land in the road left an impression. :(

Since then, I try to ride not so overpowered.

i definately fall into the category of those who like to be over powered :cool:

its the only time my adreneline gets pumping.... i live for 35+ on a 9m..
this season ill be waiting for solid 30 to take the new 11m fuel out in......

I missed the landing in the road incident but saw some other near deaths last year at the Skyway. Where was that one?

I used to get SOOO overpowered on that 17.5 Machine sometimes- teabag city!
In many ways I felt safer on that, than on the new kites, mainly the wingtip wrapping,death-looping trick, and that pesky inverting thing.

Biggest difference b/n old c kites and the new SLEs in terms of safety (in my mind). You use to HAVE to get off the water when overpowered. Now... you just sheet out... and wait for something to break.. then pay.

how about this....

http://www.ikitesurf.com/classifieds.iws?db=kiteboards

14 Era
 

Saw this on ebay, super deal for a 14 ERA.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Royal-ERA-14-200...QQcmdZViewItem

Selecting a super light wind kite, relaunchability is really important IMO. If i put my 15 07 waroo in the water in light wind it is almost impossible to get in the air, sometimes it is impossible. The cabrinhas and liquid force assaults relaunch Super easy even in light wind and this saves lots of energy and is safer. I will say also that I am not the most efficient rider and I weigh 195, but I have attempted to ride my 14 contra in light wind(11-12mph) with a big crazy fly and not been able to get going. Thats why I got the Assault 2 19m. I can ride it and have fun in 11-12 and the depower is enough I can hold it down in 15-16. Those kites can be had pretty cheap now also. The bar is not the best with the trim cleat below the bar very difficult to adjust but my cabrinha bar works fine on the kite also and is much easier to adjust. The 19 has given me many more days of riding no doubt.

theres a 26m flysurfer on ikite right now :)

Message sent on Flysurfer.

Geezo Peezo.... now THAT might be overkill :)

That is over kill! I talked to the guy and he is appears to be very honest. He was actually willing to send the kite and do a refund if it is to much.

The Spleen Door arrived today at 11:00 am and by 1:00, it was a blowin. I tried it out at Picnic with the 15m ION and am delited to say that it performed very well. I think I even had the fin on incorrectly and it still rode great!

For now , I'll wait on a larger kite. The board has made a BIG difference.

Thanks Guys.

Big G

Buy it... buy it.... I wanna try it. LOL :p

Spleene fins
 

Large fins closer to the centerline of the board, small fins on the heelside. Thought it was weird when I first got mine, but contacted the company and that's how they go.

Good riding

Frank

I don't think you would be very happy with that 26m P2. Not a high aspect kite, not made anymore, theres a reason it's $650 when all the SA's and Speed 1.5's and 2's are selling for two to three times that much. But if he will let you try it at no risk, find out. If you want a great place to get some info from folks that know and are using these kites check out

http://www.foilzone.com/phpBB2/viewf...ays=0&start=15