Low end question!

[tautologies]

I dont agree about the water conditions making a huge difference

unless there is a current obviously.

[voodoospirit]

the standard version has a wider loop ( ie: downlooping the kite to get up , i do it in 8 knots) and goes up harder than the deluxe version ( more weight), it s obvious in snowkite a bit less on water but in lulls.

i m 70kg, i use a 130/37 with the Speed3 15 deluxe, i can ride upwind parked on lakes ( no current), but not powered...
with a 170/48 directionnal , no volume, it s 8knots parked ,7 while sinning or looping. i think i might have the same low end with a shorter board like a 140/45? h ave to test it.

[Ned Divine]

Steady 8 knots in flat water with Sp3 15 standard and a normal board (Best Spark 132), allows for easy holding of upwind ground including backrolls, frontrolls and a few other minor tricks. Mind you, it takes time and practice to make this kite do it for you Looping the kite in turns and back-frontrolls is soooo pleasant!

Most of all, cruising in flat water with minimal wind is a treat for the soul, Plummet is absolutely right in what he said

[Westozzy]

I dont agree about the water conditions making a huge difference

For a TT maybe yes - but a raceboard will fly over the chop usually.

And in waves, however small, I will say I get going earlier/faster because you can utilize the wave power or backsides, to get planing - and once up, you work in sync with the waves both ways - so actually easier often (if used to waves that is...)

I dont find super smooth water to be way better than small chop, regarding how early I start on a raceboard

Just a very different opinion and experience, I know

Of course you can maximize your upwind angle more in totally flat water, no doubt.

But the difference in planing is extremely small IMO, for raceboards or even waveboards.

Peter

Disagree with you Frank,yes the raceboard minimises the effect of current and swell but it is still a factor. In flat water with no currents their will always be considerable difference.

[Kamikuza]

I know that when I was in NZ, I reveled in the flat water of the estuary while the local freestylers moaned about the amount of chop. Going from 'my' lake to the nearest ocean spot here, I moan about the chop. Coming back from Thailand, I moan about the chop at the lake...

Aside from a lot of moaning, it's easy to see the difference in what people consider "choppy" and how much easier it is to work the low end on really flat water. And how much quicker I get over-powered when I can get the board planing, without being battered by chop...

And so I think "chop" is a relative term

[Peter_Frank]

Of course current plays a factor, that goes without saying.

But current can just as easily go upwind as well as downwind (but not in flat water as it is always behind an obstruction), so makes no sense to say that "flat water" is always better, regarding current.

Current though, is just a bit more of less wind speed, and nothing but that - as it is simply a relative thing - so I dont count that into "water conditions" as it is a totally different topic, compared to how the water surface is IMO

So very important to distinguish between water surface conditions and current

Peter