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 :)