As I'm just about the only one still kiting on C kite-
 

this may not be of interest to anyone else but I think it shows promise:

http://www.kitesurfsalerno.it/5th_linea_wtribe.htm

Leave it to the Italians, huh.

the wind isn't strong, how it would act in strong winds,but all in all it is a good system from the look at.I wonder what kite surfing is going to be like in about 3 years and when in the hell, they are going to do something with those bladders,DAMN! :D

old school kites
 

come on dave just buy a cabrinha cb or sb it's not a shamefull thing to ride sothing other than airush I'll give you a good deal.
aj

The wind is like 20 knots- watch when he launches it- quite powered.

When bows turn like fast C kites etc. I'll be there.

Likewise- Ill give you a good deal on AR. Ever tried a Reactor or Lift??

As far as turning the 16m CB there isn’t a big differences
than a 16m C kite, like every thing though, there’s always going to be
kites that have better characteristic than other kites, but to mention one
of a few( there are a few too bout the C kite than the CB)
characteristic that sets the CB in a class by itself compared
to the C kites is the fact that gust isn’t an issue, 1’m 160lbs
and I was riding the 16m CB in gust up to 20plus
(never was overpowered and never pulled down wind by a gust)
knots when guys 40lbs plus heavier than I was was flying 12m C kites.
My opinion the CB is in a much higher class to the C kite, but!!!
that’s just it, it’s, my! Opinion and that’s what it all boils down to
ones self opinion, likes and dislikes, there’s no
such thing as, “ Better! “ when it comes to kites and boards that’s definitely ones self
opinion and judgment. It’s all sweet though, gives ya something to discuss by the
water cooler ;-) !!

Agreed it is personal pref thing but I assure you the CB does not turn as fast as ALL 16's. I don't expect the 14 Halo to be nearly as fast as either the 16 Lift or especially the 15 Reactor.

And I'd rather be on the smallest most manoeuverable kite possible e.g. 12m C vs. the 16 bow. But thats just me.

Now if I only had one kite or lived in a very gusty place- no question- 'da bow.

ok boys
 

mabe you 2 should take this out side ,looks like this could get messy.
aj
balloon bloke V's supper man ride off.

No two kites have the same turning ability whether
It be a Bow, C or foil, unless it’s
the same Brand and model and even then the tuning of the lines and bar plays
a factor so the turning comparison isn’t
a good aspect to look at when comparing the 2 type of
kites cause not all 16m C kites turn faster than a
16m Bow and the ones that are
faster than the Bow,by how much? Is it going to
affect your riding by any? Speaking bout riding, your style
plays into it too, my riding style is more fast, high and reckless
the turning speed of the Bow hasn’t affected that negatively, infact
it makes me more of a liability on the water and on land and
I love every bit of that feeling.
Now a 12m or 16m C kite(16m is out of the question if you’re 160
in 20k wind)
, a gust comes and you find yourself hurdling down wind
like a bat out of hell, pulling down on the trim trying to slow down and
hanging on for dear life trying to get your kite to 12o clock and
hoping your board don’t get caught in a chop, when it does hit one
you’re body skiing down wind until you can get
your kite to 12 o clock, where is your board, 50 to 100 meters
up wind, where am I, on my 16m Bow getting your board and bring it to you
:-) :-).Walking and launching on the beach in high winds with a C kite
is a danger and the danger doubles on Goodmans bay or Go slow.
But to be honest, I’m not a big fan of the 12m whether it be a Bow or
C. Think bout it Balloon B, have you ever seen me fly a 12m? :-) the
Last time I was on one
was on Marks 12 bow and I didn’t have the 16m Bow
I had the 15m C and the wind was to strong for that (gusting over 20k)
I’m going to get a 12m though,eventually!
P.S Hey! Mocean, this is why I like the different opinion, to have discussion like
this one… Balloon boy! round 3:-). Anyone else want to get some of this
Huh! Huh!

who need to pimp
 

thats my boy he's like a pit bull humping balloon bloke leg.
you can't kick him off he might bite just, let him keep humping.
see ya late morning mate.
aj

Let me get into this too....and say my thoughts:

- BOW kites have greater upper range (and Shuman has proven this !!)
- BOW kites appeared to be safer
- BOW kites seem to water re-launch easier
- BOW kites jump further and therefore you might be in the air longer
- BOW kites seem to fly slightly slower (up and down and kiteloops) but the forward speed of the kite is actually pretty good

- C kites seem to move faster (up and down and kiteloops). You can probably get the same forward speed of a BOW kite with one bigger size of a C shape (ie 16m BOW vs 18m C). I'm actually talking about the forward speed here, the speed that you are crusing at.
- C kites appear to jump higher but doesn't necessary mean that you stay longer in the air
- C kites seem to work better for powered moves (handle passes, etc.).
- C kites are easier to self launch from the beach

These are my considerations, now when I look at what kind of wind we get I'd go for:

- 18 to 21 C-shape for those light days (and we get a lot of them !!)
- 12 to 15 C-shape for those decent days (which we get a few of them !!)
- 9 to 12 BOW for those gusty cold fronts (which we get some of them !!)

plus

- 120-130 twin tip board
- 150-160 directional

This is what I'm working on...

Hope this wind will pick up soon otherwise I'm going to bore you to death with more of this crap....

seeya in the water...