fdvj wrote:If everyone use the beaufort scale and understood how to read the conditions by observation then we would have less trouble with kooks putting up inappropriate kite sizes.Wind in most countries is not the average or consistent, so being able to make a personal call on the strength based on personal observation is what it encourages.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaufort_scale
It may stop people claiming the rode a 11m in 40knots as well.
for me force 3-4 17m
force 4-5 13m
force 5-6 11m
force 6-7 9m
force 7-8 7m
force 8 6m
force 9 back in the van.
I dont agree.
I think the beaufort scale is totally outdated and a leftover from past times before the internet, before the weather stations, before the affordable wind meters etc etc.
But today, every kitesurfer uses weather station observations and even the forecasts are in knots or m/s now.
Furthermore - when you are out at a spot, you LEARN to feel what size to use.
But you can not see this on the conditions that the beaufort scale advises, as it does not consider differences in actual water and wind direction.
Lets take an example, force 5 (around 9m/s) is a 9m2 kite in waves, maybe an 8m2.
This is described as:
Moderate waves of some length. Many whitecaps. Small amounts of spray.
and
Branches of a moderate size move. Small trees in leaf begin to sway.
Whereas force 6 (around 12-13m/s) is a 6m2 kite, maybe a 7.
Described as:
Long waves begin to form. White foam crests are very frequent. Some airborne spray is present.
and
Large branches in motion. Whistling heard in overhead wires. Umbrella use becomes difficult. Empty plastic bins tip over.
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C'mon, they cant be serious about this ?
So whether the wind is onshore or sideshore does not matter at all ?
Whether the water is open sea or shallow water does not matter either ?
Maybe I should pack an umbrella and some empty plastic bins the next time I am going out, so I know what force the wind is, and whether to use a 9 or 6m2
Most of us are brought up with wind measurements today, and even the kite manufacturers show the wind ranges in a knots or m/s scale, always.
It is also stupid IMO, that a force 6 which goes from 10.8m/s to 13.8m/s actually has a difference in kitesize from 8 or 7m2 down to a 5m2 kite (at least in our temperatures in waves).
So stating the windforce in beaufort, does not say ANYTHING about what kitesize to use
I know it is just my opinion, but I think it is the most stupid scale for anything but Mr. and Mrs. Jones who says "uuuuh its storming outside today"....
And you can never ever remember what the force 1-9 corresponds to in wind speed anyway, so it becomes some "translated" thing in between that you can never remember nor make sense out of it...
On the other hand, I agree fully that common sense and experience is what is most important regarding choosing the right kitesize - no doubt at all.
Where weather stations (and even worse, hand held meters) are often only a rough approximation and can be quite useless too sometimes.
But I can not see any reason why to choose the beaufort scale as THE wind speed scale whatsoever
Just my opinion as said...
Peter