Switchblade quiver advice

[rocktor]

Wt 185 lbs. currently own a 14 and 11 sb's. mostly ride my 14 on local light wind conditions but traveling to hatteras this October and looking to expand my quiver for high winds. Debating whether I should get a 9 and a 7 or just get 8 and be done. Hate to miss a windy day because of lack of proper size but buying two kites would be too expensive now. Any switchblade owners with any advice? Tempted to just get an 8 meter. Is 8 and 11 too big of a gap? Thx.

[RideLow]

Get the eight..

I have a 12-8 combo and they overlap perfectly!

[karenkites]

8

[markymarc]

8. 11-7 is too big a gap. but get 2012 or 2014.

lowend 2013 is not so

[OBX Kiter]

I have an 8 and10m ('12) and a 14m ('13), perfect for where I ride. I'm on the 10 and 14 the most, and the 8 when it's nuking. I'm 200 lbs and ride a 6' surfboard most of the time. The depower is pretty significant, so like others, I think you'd be happy with the 8.

[rocktor]

8. 11-7 is too big a gap. but get 2012 or 2014.

lowend 2013 is not so

How bad is the low end? Was thinking about getting a 2013 actually. 2014's are way too expensive right now. And 2012's are nowhere to be found.

[flipper231]

Look at windspirit.ca I think they still have all 2012 sizes. As for 2013, i had 12 and 9m, the 12 was good if it did not drop below 10 and the 9 if the wind dit not drop below 13, on a nobile XTR. I am 200lbs. Thesevare absolute minimums for me, half a knot less and I sunk. My 7m is 2012 and I gets me riding upwind if if does not drop below 18knots wit a BTS 136x41. The 7 is fine in 35 knots,nstill viable in 40 but then i think i get over-board more than kite. I do core xr3 15-11 and SB 7m, I might change the 11for an SB10m. But Cab went bazurk on the prices this year. I may pass.

[kiteontario]

Maybe just look for an 8m or smaller used (?) There are often good deals out there on older slightly used models of the Switchblade. Why pay brand new retail prices when it seems the smaller kites don't get used as much?

[markchatwin]

Hey Rocktor! You have the Mako King so you have pretty good planability. Let's assume you get the 8m. The King will assist you when the wind hits the lighter side of 8m conditions. But if Hatteras goes off and blows steady 30mph then I believe you will be overpowered and skimming along with that King flying your 8m kite high in the sky to survive. Plus though you can "hold down" an 8m in 6m conditions is it really fun?

Remember in April all our experienced riders, heavy and light, male and female were zooming to REAL to grab any 6m they could find. Slice had to borrow someone's 6m and he almost always rides a 14m! Rodanthe blew out of 6m kites like power generators blew out of Home Depot the day before Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast.

But I've been to Hatteras several times in October and it never has hit the heights of my April trips so there is a gamble here.

So would a 9/7m quiver work or just an 8m? I vote you go with the 8m and try to get a guy in your house with a 6m who would loan it to you. In those crazy conditions trading on and off with someone to launch and land you is pretty cool

[toyletbowl]

8m and 6m to go with the 14m and 11m. Agree with Mark and having a 6m is needed if it BLOWS.

I'm around 200 lbs and amazed at how often I use a 6m each year. Only used mine 5 times this year so far, but when it really blows, 6m kites are a blast.

Hope this helps,

Bob
www.kiteridersllc.com