Flysurfer sizes

[weejock100]

Hi All,

I haven't been on here since the switchover, so apologies if this has been gone over in depth before.

 

Can anyone who has experience of several flysurfer kites please try to sumarise the different sizes. Preferably including the older models, as I always buy my flysurfers 2nd hand. I used to think a FS of x metres was at least equivalent to an LEI of 2m less. This worked for my old 10m Speed, which was easily equivalent to a 13m LEI. But my newer 10m PIII has much less grunt. Still a great kite, but it actually seems to have loads of overlap with my 7m Extacy, which wasn't the case at all for the old 10mSpeed. Any thoughts? Are the newer Flysurfers slightly less grunty per m than the older ones? Was the Speed just an exception?

 

There's a 12m Speed II on ebay which I'm tempted to get to replace the PIII. (I want to stick with 2 kites. The 10m PIII would be a perfect single-kite quiver, but not good as a low-wind option when I also own a high-wind option). Incidentally, I still have my original 10m Speed 1 but I never use it now. If anyone wants to make an offer please do (it's well used).

[Tone]

The newer ones are less grunty but have more power once you are up to speed.

 

Sell the lot and get a 15m Speed3. You won't need anything else from 10 - 22knots and more if you're a bit of a tub like me

 

Tony

[andrew pattullo]

my mate has bought a new flysurfer 21m its a monster ! and cost was 2400 ! for a kite

[mick]

Sell the lot and get a 15m Speed3. You won't need anything else from 10 - 22knots and more if you're a bit of a tub like me

Tony

 

Tone or Tony these days. Thats a little harsh mate. True but harsh.

[slide]

i found the spd2 12 about the same wind range as a spd1 10 , so yes you're spot on ...my soninlaw still use's his spd1' s with zest

[jimmy6]

I was lucky enough to borrow a mate's 21m Speed3 for a month and brought it to Tarifa on holiday - it saved the holiday for me because we had less than 10kts for about 80% of the fortnight. Sure it's an expensive kite, but if you live somewhere where the average wind speed is 7-15kts then it's a bargain!

[Tone]

I was lucky enough to borrow a mate's 21m Speed3 for a month and brought it to Tarifa on holiday - it saved the holiday for me because we had less than 10kts for about 80% of the fortnight. Sure it's an expensive kite, but if you live somewhere where the average wind speed is 7-15kts then it's a bargain!

 

For sure the 21 has it's place, but the 15 is the go to kite... Best all round kite I know!

 

The 21 is great but as soon as it gets over 18 knots, I am waaaay too lit for fun!

[parksy]

i found the spd2 12 about the same wind range as a spd1 10 , so yes you're spot on ...my soninlaw still use's his spd1' s with zest

 

Is this 'zest' available on ebay? How much difference does it make to the kite? Please can you send me some to try it out.

[benjy_a]

I've been mulling over flysurfers for a while to see if I can achieve a 2 kite quiver for travelling rather than the 4 I currently take which cover 10-35+ knots. I don't think I can afford to consider more than 1 flysurfer.

 

I've been wondering if it's better to get a smaller, faster one for use in a higher wind range (the 8 or 10m speed 4 for example), and take a large LEI for lower wind days...I get going nicely on my 14m Gaastra from 10knt up to 19knts max.

 

Or...am I missing the point and I should be considering a bigger one (15m) to cover the lower range and take a smaller LEI for higher wind use?

 

I'm thinking that a 15m speed would be pretty overpowered for me anywhere near 20knts which would mean I'd still need another 2 kites...

 

I'm 75kg and like riding pretty lit and jumping high (well I think they're high )

 

Cheers,

 

Ben

 

 

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[balugh]

I've been mulling over flysurfers for a while to see if I can achieve a 2 kite quiver for travelling rather than the 4 I currently take which cover 10-35+ knots. I don't think I can afford to consider more than 1 flysurfer.

 

I've been wondering if it's better to get a smaller, faster one for use in a higher wind range (the 8 or 10m speed 4 for example), and take a large LEI for lower wind days...I get going nicely on my 14m Gaastra from 10knt up to 19knts max.

 

Or...am I missing the point and I should be considering a bigger one (15m) to cover the lower range and take a smaller LEI for higher wind use?

 

I'm thinking that a 15m speed would be pretty overpowered for me anywhere near 20knts which would mean I'd still need another 2 kites...

 

I'm 75kg and like riding pretty lit and jumping high (well I think they're high )

 

Cheers,

 

Ben

 

 

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As Tone says...the 15m s3 is a really versatile kite and they pack down to next to nothing for travelling. At your size you might want to wait a bit for the 12m s4 to appear as it might be perfect paired with a smaller kite (lei or Flysurfer) for the really windy days.

[benjy_a]

As Tone says...the 15m s3 is a really versatile kite and they pack down to next to nothing for travelling. At your size you might want to wait a bit for the 12m s4 to appear as it might be perfect paired with a smaller kite (lei or Flysurfer) for the really windy days.

 

 

I've been studying the flysurfer website and came to the same conclusion that a 12m Speed 4 would be a great size (when it exists). That would be usable up to 25knts (ish) which would mean I could just have that with a little LEI. Also it'll give me time to save for when it's released.

 

I'd love to have the money for two flysurfers...2 lightweight kites and 1 bar, so much easier for holidays!

 

 

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[weejock100]

Thanks all. Nice to have my vague feelings confirmed. I'm definitely going to try and get a slightly bigger replacement for the 10m P3. Possibly the 12m Speed2, or a 12m Speed 3 if I can afford it - maybe once the 12m Speed4's come out. (Tone, I'm more beanpole than tub.) That'll be the light- and normal-wind kite. Then I'll think about getting a 7-8m psycho too.

 

Benjy A, if you're determined to have an lei and a foil then I'd definitely go for the big foil and small lei. But I NEVER seperate my bar and lines - seems a recipe for fankles, and it would defeat the main point of foils which for me is the super-easy lay out and pack in. (Assuming, always, no fankles!). Btw, 2nd hand flysurfers are well worth the money - they're brilliantly made.

[weejock100]

Actually, one more question. The other thing I don't like about the P2 10m is the extra line(s) - there are 4 lines out of the bar, instead of 3 for earlier FS models. I guess it might be considered a safety feature - I just think of it as a fankle-feature - but does anyone know if newer FS models have kept this?

 

(PS For anyone reading this later and debating LEIs vs foils. Despite what I say above, fankles are really not a big deal with flysurfers - 9 out of 10 times they fly straight out of the bag - but they are irritating when they happen. )

[balugh]

The new kites are all 4 line with a pseudo 5th for flagging out. In my experience the S3 has far fewer tangled lines than I had with my S2. I expect the S4 to be better again...and reports indicate this is the case.

[weejock100]

Thanks Balugh. Have you ever successfuly 'flagged out' in a real over-wind situation? I've tried it a few times on the beach in practice but never once actually done it on the beach, in at least 2 years of flying the P2.

[slide]

Is this 'zest' available on ebay? How much difference does it make to the kite? Please can you send me some to try it out.

 

sadly your age means you can not apply

[balugh]

Thanks Balugh. Have you ever successfuly 'flagged out' in a real over-wind situation? I've tried it a few times on the beach in practice but never once actually done it on the beach, in at least 2 years of flying the P2.

 

Yes...I have although I try to get the kite low down to the ground either by back stalling it (not so ea sy when too windy) or by flying it to the edge of the window before flagging out. Walk up the upwind set of lines pronto. Tangles still happen but not as often or as bad on the S2. You should notice a big difference between the P2 and a modern Flysurfer.

[andrew pattullo]

i got a ozone edge 11m i can get going in 12knots on my twin tip , if i had a race board i would be going in nothing at all ,

[balugh]

i got a ozone edge 11m i can get going in 12knots on my twin tip , if i had a race board i would be going in nothing at all ,

 

Yep...perhaps.....but I travelled one trip with my 15m S3 packed into my hand luggage. I think you'd struggle doing that with any LEI...even before considering the pump. My 8m Rebel takes up more space....and weighs at least as much...if not more than the S3.

[Andy C]

Here's a question for Speed 3 15m owners! If I can get going on my 13m JN Wildthing 2 in 10 knots or a little less, with a 134 TT board, would getting a Speed 3 15m still be an improvement? I weigh 65kg and due to work don't get out as often as I would so even light wind sessions are fine by me. I'm already normally one of the few people still able to get going in very light winds.

[balugh]

Here's a question for Speed 3 15m owners! If I can get going on my 13m JN Wildthing 2 in 10 knots or a little less, with a 134 TT board, would getting a Speed 3 15m still be an improvement? I weigh 65kg and due to work don't get out as often as I would so even light wind sessions are fine by me. I'm already normally one of the few people still able to get going in very light winds.

 

Good question....answer is that you would get out more often on the 15m with that board. You might achieve the same with a bigger board...but it all depends on what you want to do. I'm 105 kg and get going from about 10 mph. Would you get a lot more? Depends.... You might find the 12m deluxe does the same job for someone your weight. One difference between the speeds and an lei is that they'll sit over your head in almost no wind waiting for the next gust to come along. If I'm standing on the beach with the kite overhead and it is not pulling up on the harness the wind normally measures 6-7 mph. This is pretty neat if you're used to working lei's to keep them airborne. Naturally the 12m is easier to work than the 15m. The 15m is a great jumping / gliding kite. The 12m would rip you off the water harder / higher.

[weejock100]

So I've gone ahead and got a new 8m P3, meaning I have a 7m extacy for sale. Anyone from here want it - looking for a quick sale so I'd be open to all offers. Or thoughts on where to sell it? There used to be flysurfers on ebay all the time, but haven't been for a while (maybe everyone's realised they're great and never die, so are keeping hold of them!). I'll also have a 10m p2 and a 10m Speed1 for sale fairly soon. Pm me if interested, or email weejock100atyahoo.com Thanks

Charlie

[balugh]

All the usual places..here, kiteboarder.co.uk, foilzone.com. I take it the P3 is 'new to you' as the P4 is now getting to be an old kite. That said, the difference to your Extacy will be dramatic...

[weejock100]

Doh. It's a P4, not P3. And yes, it's 'new to me'. (The extacy's the only kite I've ever bought new). Looking to get a Speed 3 for similar reasons - if they're bringing out a Speed4 then hopefully people will be selling on their S3s. Thanks

[Westwood]

Here's a question for Speed 3 15m owners! If I can get going on my 13m JN Wildthing 2 in 10 knots or a little less, with a 134 TT board, would getting a Speed 3 15m still be an improvement? I weigh 65kg and due to work don't get out as often as I would so even light wind sessions are fine by me. I'm already normally one of the few people still able to get going in very light winds.

 

Drop me an email on tom@maxtrack.com and I will lend you one - or meet up and ride. It will be dramatically different to your 13m lei. More like a 17m LEI.