G'day,
I started kiting because I wanted to surf and carve and slash about with some help from a kite.

I have a 2009 13m xbow which I learnt to kite on last Oct. (2009) and am wondering if getting a wainman boss (12m) or a bws noise (12m) would be much better in turning speed, parkability, stability, power and worth the doh ($1000). Alot of surf oriented crew I've met around Torquay and different parts of Oz recon they don't bother kiting if they have to use anything bigger than a 10m. So I wonder if there is much in it?

I use a wainman smoke (9m) as often as I can and a 5'9" wainman directional, mostly strapless, or an airrush hammer144. I find the 9m to be so much more fun than the 13m which I use in 10 - 17 knots or if it's not so steady and dropping below 15s.

The 13 is really amazing in light wind, pulls super smoothly, like a giant marshmellow and it moves like a b-double truck. Its great fun with the surfboard (& the twin tip) until we bear away or try to connect a few turns together. Since manouverability is the main aim for me the 13 can seem pretty useless and its not much better on a wave when its windier. I have developed a feel for using the 13 that comes with time and patience but I'm really interested to know if these larger surf style kites (wainman boss (12m) or a bws noise (12m)) are going to be any better down the line especially if its cross onshore. Are they really as quick to turn as a 9 as the adverts claims? How much more wind will they need to get going than the 13 or say a xbow the same size?

It might be cheaper, easier and more relaxing to buy a hammock to put in a tree, then lie there until it's windy. It could save a fair bit of frigging about.

Rider: 72kg, intermediate kiter, experienced surfer and wavesailor (now pushing 40)
Style: Surf and flap about
Weather: 10 - 17 knots
Disclosure: I enjoy kiting enough to buy the things I need to keep 'the experiement' running!

Thank you. I hope someone has some first hand experience with this quandry.

Pete