Best low end kite size 8 or 9 or 7.5

[peterheirman]

On a wave board you want to get going with little wind (15-16knots) but sizes bigger than 9 are awkward/not fun as they turn too slow.

So whats the best lowend / grunt kite in a size range of 9 to 7.5 ? that still turns quickly enough for turning on waves (3 to 6 foot)

(It used to be Best Kahoona 3 to 4 years ago - the V2)

[TheJoe]

I know the Wainman Smoke would get me going that early on a twin a little bit earlier on surfboard at 180lbs. I would imagine any mid to low aspect delta would do the same. I agree though anything bigger than a 9 is not fun for wave riding.

[coleman]

there are plenty of great 10m wave specific kites though. i think the ozone reo in 10m is well liked and most dont complain about it not turning fast enough.

i have a wainman smoke 9.0 and it has phenomenal range. on my nugget i can be powered in the windrange you are asking about. 155lbs

[peterheirman]

Exactly: Ozone Reo is not a kite with low end
Any old Kahoona 7.5 will surpass REO 8 at 18-19knots

I don't want a phenomenal wind range as I want to just get going very early on a small kite (smaller kites are likely to turn better, drift better).
Most kites have a wind range of 15 knots. The lower the low end the lower the high end.

[windrt]

Check the 9m blade trigger out. Or even a 7m.

[rtz]

Maybe try out one of these or sample some of Switch's offerings?

http://shop.bwsurf.com/t/category/2nd-hand

Or call and ask to speak to Jeff Howard and discuss kites that have the best low end:

http://www.kiteboarding.com/contactus.asp

Or call and speak to one of the two guys in this video:

http://www.realwatersports.com/news/201 ... rk-review/

It's tough to get good, concise, concrete, factual info on this forum. Between the brand pimps, loyal brand owners, and the price of kites; no one has flown all the kites from the 40+(literally) different kite companies.

Just have a look at the list:

http://new.ikitesurf.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27366

If a person rides North or Cabrinha; it's all they know and they will tell you what they ride is the best.

Maybe start buying/selling used kites to sample and experience all that is out there? Grab something cheap; try it out; sell it off and get something else. You could possibly resell at the same price you purchased at. Any loss will be small. Maybe there are only 5 kites total that you would consider as contenders?

[coleman]

^^Agreed....

start buying and selling used gear. if you want a kite for waves there is a short list of kites out there for that. shouldnt take too long to settle into one you like the most.

[nikolaygadzhev77]

i will say 7m park 2013 bottom end is 20 knots

[nikolaygadzhev77]

i will say 7m park 2013 bottom end is 20 knots

[knotwindy]

the 2014 9m Slingshot Rally has a good bottom end, drifts well and turns fast enough for me in waves.
if you get a chance to demo one, try it and let us all know how it works for you.