Kites for the BIG guys....

[BigR]

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

quad

back fins highly comprimised in some way

[Big G]

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....

[BizGuru]

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.

[Steve-O]

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.

[Kitespear813]

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.

[inferno]

how about this....

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

[shogun1204]

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

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