COL said..Ozone Kites Aus said..
Bene13, my most used kites so far this season are my 6 and 8M true. We do get plenty of strong wind over here, and we get it all year round too, with the winter southerlies especially being 6 or 8m windy. We get a big range of winds over here too including lots of mellower days still with nice waves in the 10-14M range ( I use a 14M Enduro for the light days)
Ozone, I'm in that elusive and eternal search for the best light wind surf kite. I have a 2015 6m, 2017 8m(go to kite), 2014 10m Reos. My opinion still is that 2014 was a massive leap in performance, improvements have been subtle(in comparison) ever since. My 10m is happy at 15knot for me(76kg) and I'm looking for the 8m by 18knot. I'm suspicious whether a 12m will give me much extra as I'm happy to work the 10. Alternative of course is the 14m Enduro. Can you give me your honest appraisal of the choice. I've been down the alternate brands option but it seems to bring up more problems than it solves. I'm advanced and know what I like(and don't like) and surf is the only use. I can't imagine a better performance lighter wind board than the one I already have. Thanks for your response
Hi Col
I would agree with you that in the 2014 to V3 10 models there was not a lot of difference for a skilled rider between a 10 and a 12, but of course the 12 would give the absolute best bottom end, with the trade off that it was just that tad slower through the sky and turning. The turn rate of those years 12's was the limiting factor.
V4 though is another big leap in performance and you notice it most in the 12 and in the smaller sizes too. I have not used my 14 Enduro as much since the V4 was released, although for those 12/14 knot days at the pass up here I'll still use it. The way the 14M moves does limit my riding a bit and if I get it wrong I occasionally get it wet in the onshore conditions up there, you just have to adjust your thinking and keep the kite a bit higher and think ahead.
I much prefer the 12 Reo though and will use that without hesitation if the wind is more in the 13/14 knot range, if its dropping out to 10's then I need the 14 for the ride back upwind. I also only ride surfboards and a session is a session, I've only got a limited number of summers left ha! (like all of us)
Hope that helps PM if you want to discuss or call 0433323299