I have a V2 and found it fairly easy to get going on. Took quite a while to be able to gybe turn though. Not sure about the V4. Here are some things to try:

* try to keep the board flattish on the water.
* go upwind by twisting the board with your feet rather than trying edging it
* they go upwind really well, so back off the twisting and let the board run to go cross wind or downwind
* you need a lot less power compared to a twin tip - sheet right out to get less power until you get the hang of it - or use a smaller kite.
* keep your bum lowish to the water rather than standing up on the board

More advanced skills

* gybe turns
* it is a whole new technique to go close to straight downwind - I put some tips on this here: kitesurfing-handbook.peterskiteboarding.com/progression/going-downwind

Jason,

The V3 & V4 have the option of tri fin configuration - which is said to be better for carving turns. The rails changed a bit too - but one guy tells me he thinks the V2 /One Design with quad fins carves better than the V3 with tri fins.

Yes, I would say the Zephyr (17) is too big for the Sector 60 in anything over 10 knots. I can get going well in 10 knots with my Lithium 12 with its great lowend grunt! It sounds like you are overpowered.

Give the Catalyst 12 a go next time.

The rounding into wind problem is probably because you're trying to start with your back foot in the strap and you're overloading the back strap. When you're starting off put your front foot in the strap and your back foot on the deck just in front of the back straps. It's good to be able to ride out of the straps. You can get into the straps later when you've got the basic riding technique wired.

Going over the front probably comes from trying too hard and over committing your body. You need to relax a bit.

The Sector 60 is very easy to gybe. Simply set up for your gybe, move the back foot to the rail and carve. Longer drawn out carves are easier and you can come out faster. Snap gybes can be done with a little practice and are great on waves.

For gybing any directional you have to start or finish on toeside so you have to be really strong at toeside riding to get the most out of your gybes.

My biggest kite is a 13m and I use that in 8-20 knots. From 14-15 knots a 10m is a much better choice.

I have had the V2 and now the V3 (my kite mate still has the V2). The V2 quad fins turns better than the V3 quad. The V3 quad likes long drawn out turns. The V3 with three fins carves beautifully and three fins is the best setup of all. I am very happy with the V3 and probably will not get the V4.

Keep trying with the Sector 60. It is the most fun board to ride and incredibly easy to ride. You're only having trouble because you have not learned to ride efficiently yet. It's great for light wind cruising, fun in wind blown slop and fantastic for down the line riding in surf (truly).

It's important to know that the technique for riding a twintip or surfboard or freeride raceboard is exactly the same. You've probably learned to ride a TT with the back leg loaded and edging hard with a big powerful kite. That is fine when you're overpowered or setting up for a jump. It's wrong for efficient riding.

You need to have the power of the kite transferred directly to the mid section of the board. That means loading the front foot, engaging the bottom of the board and the whole rail and trimming with the back foot. Ideally you have even distribution between front and back foot but more often it's 60% front, 40% back.
You don't want to over edge. You have to edge just enough to balance the power of the kite.

On a directional you tend to lock your front foot in place then move your back foot around to trim the ride. You only lock your feet in the straps when you're well powered and blasting.

Peter, thanks for the advice. Will give the 12 a go next time. Definitely safer option to begin with & more responsive. Although do love the power you get from the Zephyr in light winds.


Dusta, thanks for the feedback & advice on removing back foot from strap . Did get the board for use with the Zephyr but will maybe use the 12 just to nail the initial start technique. Once I get the balance correct & the board planing sweetly I will switch back to the Zephyr. Will definitely stick with it even though will be out for rest of week due to my knee cap connecting dead centre with one of those shiny new fin bolt heads. Everyone told me to watch out for the fins but the pain those little bolts can inflict with the help of a Zephry is absolutely excruciating.


Gorgo, appreciate your very detailed information. Given me a good understanding of mistakes I'm making. Was trying to start same way as TT , so used to having feet securely locked into footpads but will concentrate on removing the back foot from strap especially when starting. When planing, getting the balance correct & comfortable with both feet out of the straps. Got to also remember, even with my 95kg, this board has so much buoyancy could double up as SUP. Really looking forward to all the challenges that come with this board, especially nailing the gybing. Thanks again.

I'm just under 80kg at the moment. It's floaty enough to make slow pivot gybes easy but there's no way I could float on it. My mate is 95kg. We tend to both use the same size board and kite and get around quite happily.

My mate is faster than me in powered conditions. I guess weight helps lock everything in. I am faster in lighter conditions and go upwind better.

I am happiest on directionals with at least a toe hooked under the front strap.

JimJones said..

Got me a Sector 60 V3, looks like this weekend is a good opportunity to get to know it better, maybe at Point Walter. I weigh 82Kg, will I be better with my 9m or 12m, looking at the wind Sat afternoon (around 14knots)?

Also, used it once previously in light winds, but kept crashing as I turned up wind too quickly. How does it compare to a TT as far as riding a bit down wind to gain speed then start edging upwind? What direction should I attempt to point and go in first, about 130 degrees (0 being directly upwind).

don't go point walter with the sector . go further back towards applecross at bourke street where the dog beach is . you will see another group of kites . deeper water and no rocks to hit your fins on

JimJones said..

Got me a Sector 60 V3, looks like this weekend is a good opportunity to get to know it better, maybe at Point Walter. I weigh 82Kg, will I be better with my 9m or 12m, looking at the wind Sat afternoon (around 14knots)?

Also, used it once previously in light winds, but kept crashing as I turned up wind too quickly. How does it compare to a TT as far as riding a bit down wind to gain speed then start edging upwind? What direction should I attempt to point and go in first, about 130 degrees (0 being directly upwind).

General tip for the Sector 60 - if you usually ride a twin tip, go one kite size down for given wind conditions. E.g. if you would use a 12 with your TT then use your 9 or 10 with the Sector 60. 14 knots would be OK on your 12; the 9 might be a bit better and not too scary going downwind.

I was out today in around 15 knots and had a blast with my Lithium 12, but I did have the kite depowered some of the time. Some pics of the action here www.peterskiteboarding.com/2013/06/a-cracking-kitesurfing-downwinder-from.html

For gybes, I have two techniques.

Slow gybe: Take rear foot out and move it forward of the rear foot strap and across the board. Slow the board speed by pushing bar out. Turn the kite, then crank the board around with a sharp carve. Lean back a bit so you don't go over headfirst. Get stable riding toeside, bring the rear foot forward, get stable & transfer weight to it, then bring the rear foot back.

Fast gybe (more advanced): Take rear foot out. On a fast downwind tack downloop the kite then carve turn the board onto toeside keeping speed up. It is harder to swap feet to complete the gybe when you are going fast so slow down a bit then swap your feet. OR downloop the kite the other way and carve turn back to heelside.

Jasonlk321 said..

Thanks Peter & KitePower for more info on gybing techniques & the tip on moving the straps forward. Hopefully be upto that level in couple of months. Just recovered from smacking my knee into one of the protruding fin bolts. Feel like that's a bad design. The bolts should be counter sunk or maybe I can replace with mushroom head bolts. Sure I'm going to still get thrown over the board few more times & don't want to go through that experience again.

Definitely learn the slow gybe first haha! Practice makes perfect. The downloop gybe can be learned from the beggining too provided you take the kite up high and wide before initiating the downloop and you must already have you back foot in the forward position and on the other side of the board so you can transfer weight to it and make the board turn that way.
Cover the screws with a bit of foam with a cutout for the screw head, changing to mushroom head will reduce the chance even more. Its more of a design issue with the design of the mini tuttle fin boxes. These are mass produced and used by board makers "as is" so if the thickness of the board does not allow for countersinking, you get protruding! The sand coat on the top of the board can take some serious skin off too, I prefer to wear a long leg wetty when riding my Sector.

Jasonlk321 said..

... Got to get out the habit of initially edging it like a twin tip. Do I keep the front leg straight & back leg slightly bent or both legs slightly bent?

...

You do want to edge the Sector, just not very much. 5-10 degrees is ample.

The stance for the Sector is the same as all boards. Front leg straight. Back leg bent. A bit more weight on the front foot. Trim the board and your body weight with your back leg (hence the reason it is bent). Hips forward (mostly) to keep the harness low and your back straight.

Guys, cheers again for the feedback. I'm going to pay more attention to feet positioning when watching Sector 60 videos. There's some good ones on YouTube. Also have a couple more questions.


When should I keep the board totally flat & not engage the edge? To pick up some speed going down wind?

If riding strapless should I try and keep both my heels over the edge of the board at all times?

What is the premium wind speed for a sector 60 where you get the most out of the board? Is it an exhilarating ride around 25 Knts or is that pushing the boundary? Or just a personal preference?

10-18 knots i use my 15m edge
18-25 i use my 11m edge
25+ 8m Cat


up to 25 knots it is perfectly fine and will be quicker than a raceboard due to handling chop alot better .