storm kite

[plummet]

winter is rolling in and its time to think about a little gust munching kite.

maybe to handle 20 to 30 knots of wind with gusts to 35,40.

What brands should i look for and more importantly which ones are crap?

i'll be looking second hand maybe 08,09 models.

i'm thinking maybe an 8m perhaps a 7.

[koma]

Preferably one thats similar or the same as your main kite.

For high-wind storm kites i personally prefer 5-liners as it means that even if a huge front rolls through or things go crazy you can choke the fifth and ride through it, or drop it to the fifth if need be. I guess i'll just never trust all of these supposed 100% depower safety systems, and in crazy winds thats the one time i really do need to have confidence in my equipment.

FWIW, i use an 8m Naish Alliance as my storm kite and i ride a 12m Naish Torch as my daily. The 8m Alliance is like a slightly slower Torch, and they both use the same bar & lines (5 line Naish Shift system) so they're perfect.

[maigais]

yeah I'd go for 5th line too, as much as I like my dos and it has huge wind range, I would not take it into surf, to much chance to turn it inside out

[plummet]

got my eye on a 8m instinct light.

it's be 4 line because i'll be using the same bar and lines as my edge.

apparently its a cranking little kite.

also on the list is north rebel 7m. though i don't know much about north. i presume they are good.

what do you guys think of core kites? are they crap?

[maigais]

personalty I'd take north rebel as storm kite, but I am noob, and have very high survival instict

[Goz]

Go the rebel they have a very good reputation, and it has a fifth line for when things get ugly.

[gcdave]

What are you currently using again Plummet? and ur weight?

what do you guys think of core kites? are they crap?

Im bias on my 10.5GT. I've had it in 30-35kts and its an absolute screaming beast (obviously). The Core 12m Riot XR i would say has less grunt then the 10.5m, but it has alot bigger wind range. Thats the design of the Riots.

But, as others have suggested - maybe its better to keep ur high wind kite the same brand as ur daily ride.

Dave

[SoutherlyBuster]

This is a biased opinion as well, 8m Arc, I use my Synergy for the high wind stuff, had it up to 35 or 40 knots, but ware there are some design flaws that can be easily altered/repaired, if you are interested let me know and I'll send you the details. But apart from that a great high wind kite.

Norman.

[fav]

hey plummett,

if your looking at the '08's you can't go wrong with the 2008 north rebel 7m! Still gotta be my favorite kite in strong winds or riding unstrapped surf when not so ballistic! The "08 rebel is far superior to the '09's, in my humble opinion ( doesn't invert etc.), and better price too!

Best if you can ride some to find what suits your style, remeber everyone will tell you that their strong wind kite is the best, me included!

cheers

fav

[koma]

got my eye on a 8m instinct light.

it's be 4 line because i'll be using the same bar and lines as my edge.

apparently its a cranking little kite.

As the ex-owner of a Ozone Instinct Lite 9m i can indeed say that they are a cranking little kite but i found a number of flaws with it that put me off it as a high wind kite. If you want to use it as a surf kite, or a beginner friendly kite then it's superb.

Gust munching ability is stunning and you'll be able to continue riding through most 5-8kn gusts without much trouble, but when it really picks up i found it a bit of a handful. My 9m Lite topped out at about 30-33kn and beyond that it became very jumpy, and with alot of depower pulled it was either cranking it's turns at warp speed or just not getting round fast enough... and very little in between.

If i recall i had the '08 (might've been the '07 though!) where it still retained the active centre line (i'm not calling it a fifth because it's not!) and the anti-inversion lines. Riding in 20-30 was a pleasure on it in terms of general riding and light tricking, but it didn't unhook very well and boosting was a little uninspiring until you were hit by a series of gusts in which case anything would've had you up there.

The '08 Rebels were apparently quite good although i haven't ridden one (only Vegas & Rhino).

Aside from that, i can't really think of any other long throw depower 5-liners that i haven't already mentioned (ala Torch/Alliance )

[plummet]

i have an 09 11m ozone instinct edge rx.

Its a sweet kite and i've had it up to 25+ knots untrimmed and easily in control. However the winter winds round here can get really gusty and when a squall hits. the speed can almost double 20 to 35+ knots...

11m edge at 35 knots would be insane.

i can get my hands on a 7m edge. i like the edge and i like high aspect kites.... but i wonder if a high aspect kite is what i want for high wind.

i'd expect the 7m edge to fly like a freaken wasp!

however i could probably make some crazy fast land speed record with it....

so contenders are

09 7m ozone edge rx kite only

09 8m ozone light kite only

09 7m North Vages bar and lines included.

all a similar price.

[pils]

hi iv got a 7m 08 fuel in good nick bar&lines.for $650

[koma]

i can get my hands on a 7m edge. i like the edge and i like high aspect kites.... but i wonder if a high aspect kite is what i want for high wind.

i'd expect the 7m edge to fly like a freaken wasp!

however i could probably make some crazy fast land speed record with it....

All small kites move quickly - i promise you'll learn to love it! Makes for much more exciting riding and awesome kiteloops.

If your a big fan of your Edge RX then i'd say why not go for the 7m as well.

Is the Edge your looking at a default 4 liner as well? Because i can tell you first hand that 5-line ozones NEED that extra line!

[plummet]

yep its the same year as my other edge. 09. its a prototype 09.

yeah i'm leaning towards the edge. ultimatley it wont be as docile and as the light. and may punsih me in gastly conditions but i'll be hauling at increadable speeds. i like speed.

pretty keen to go for(unofficial) world record speed on the landboard and i think the 7m edge in nuking winds might foot the bill....

the little edge is getting me excited... i'm ho hum about the light. so i suppose tha answers my own question,....