I'm 78kg and ride 12m and 9m 2011 C4s.

On my 140x41 50fifty (lots of rocker) I get going in about 15knots on the 12 and can hold it in 25 (booooost) but the really sweet spot for me is 17-23. The 9m gets me going in about 18, but just dredging. It's super fun from 22 to 28, and I can hold it without getting too messy up to about 32. (These are Melbourne knots, possibly a bit punchier than the same wind speed further North.)

So, given you have an 8m I'd go the 11, and then, when you realise how hard these kites rock, you can sit a new 8m C4 in there and have a great two kite quiver. (3m gap will give you plenty of overlap)

Enjoy!

Hey Zimbo shane! Long time no see.

I agree with these guys ^. go the 11. Had the 11m 2010 C4, sweet as.

11m

an 11m for a 65kg bloke?? are you sure? What winds, and what type of wind does he sail in?

11m, could it be too big for the sweet 20-25 knots.

at 75ish KG I can go upwind on my 9m in ~15/16kts, but to be honest its mowing the grass at best really until 19/20kts

Go for a 9m. If you find its lacking low end you can add a 11m later on.

They are certainly not grunty kites, top end is awesome though.

Yep, chef tobes.

Been thinking about your dilemma, I don't think there's a wrong answer, 11 or 10 C4. Up to you really. I was on my 9 as soon as possible because i like the smaller faster kite, you weigh a bit less than me, so the 10m would probably be sweet. This season I just had a 9m 2011 C4, fine on a surfboard from 15 knots, but not enough juice for TT.

Maybe toss a coin?

Yep, it's got trim on both outside lines already, so you can use those to shorten the back lines by about 4-5 cms.
I always have those pulled in all the way though, and find that having a couple of knots tied in back lines gets me out a couPle of knots earlier.

I have had it out in over thirty knots (uncomfortably), but would say anything above 25 and for more fun move to something smaller.

^^^ Like Steve said, he's got an 8m to cover the higher end. He's not after a one kite quiver.

djdojo said...

^^^ Like Steve said, he's got an 8m to cover the higher end. He's not after a one kite quiver.
[/quote

djdojo, wouldn't the gap between kite sizes in a quiver depend on the amount of wind range you want to cover (17-25knots in original post)?

I am no pro but would think the 11m for a 65kg guy in this wind range is not as ideal as the 10m especially unhooking etc. Maybe if the wind range was 14-25knots the 11 would be a better choice.

The light xc series wasn't very grunty. the 8m i had, had way less power than my 9m C4 which it was supposed to be "comparable" in power output.

I recond you should look size for size XC compared to c4. also take into account the C4 has alot smaller wind range than the XC which is huge.

the 10c4, 8m light combo i had was good.

oh yeah - for those ridden both - does the C4 have that same 'direct' feel as the XC?

comparable size C4 a bit quicker that XC???

MAAAAANNNNN,,, I just gotta say - the C4 is amaaaaazing!

Had my first session on a 10m in around 18 knots and after the XC light, this thing is just so sweet!
Much more pop and much more 'crispier'
really light when unhooked but still plenty of feeling

can be quite tame (and sublime) when just cruising around, but as soon as you ask it to do something - you get quite a serious response! I can see a few spanking's comming my way from this thing but only when I ask for it
can also get a little 'heavy ' on the legs when the wind picks up, but thats to be expected with the C shape.
all in all - the best of both worlds - C shape with depower, but not too much.

relaunch was a little tricky for me - so i prob need to practice and just suss out the technique!

I can see why you said i will be looking to replace my 8m too!

thanks again for all the advice....
finally went with the 10m (2011) as the test run proved i can use it in around 15kn with my surfboard and I'm certain i will get the better top end than the 11m.

Merry Xmas all
Shane