Cabrinha Light Wind Kites

[Mr_Weetabix]

So, the wind's about to drop for a few months, and I'm looking for something to pick up where my 12m Crossbow leaves off. The natural choice seems to be the Contra. Shares a control system with my Xbow and some good deals available about the moment... but... I could also pick up a 15m Omega, bar and all, for $250 less than the Contra with no bar.

Any thoughts?

[perroloco]

Go with the Contra. Don't save $250.

[Mr_Weetabix]

Care to elaborate on that? How significant is the difference?

[toyletbowl]

this is an easy choice. btw...i'm completely out of 17m Contra 3's, but have 15m Omegas in stock, but I'd go 17m Contra for sure.

one thing is the Contra is specifically made for light wind performance and has a ton of range for a big kite. with the mod or newer conrta 3's, they turn faster and have lighter bar pressure that the original Contra.

the 15m Omega was not so much fun in 2-1. in 1-1 it's better, but you'll get more range and for sure more lower end pull on the 17m contra 3.

hope this helps,

bob
www.kiteridersllc.com

[esganmoro]

Go for the Contra, the Omega is not a light wind kite.

[Mr_Weetabix]

Just found an even better deal on the Contra, so looks like the Omega's out. I've had mixed recommendations regarding the choice of a 14m vs 17m... has anyone flown both? I weigh about 190lbs, and I'm a novice (up and riding consistently, and working on changing direction without dragging my ass in the water), riding in chop.

[guy]

No Contra- the contra has a strong pull but it doesn't sit far enough in the window hence not providing the better capabilities for going upwind in light wind.

For my experince and surfing at the same conditions with SB3 12 and Contra 14 (both 2008) , the SB3 deliverd better up wind capabilities in light wind.

I think you should go for the SB3 14 !!!!

Next year you will not see the Contra line any more....

Guy

[Dr_Rosen]

Next year you will not see the Contra line any more....

Guy

Is that a fact or a guess?

[toyletbowl]

most likely fact. might want to ask pete on this weeks podcast, but the crossbow and contra kites were more similar in most aspects than different. to keep it simple, i would guess the 16m CB4 will probably have a lot of the light wind qualities of the contras, but will be called the CB4. Look at the info that has leaked out and you'll see the larger kites will have a more open profile and the smaller will have less arc to the kite.
bob
www.kiteridersllc.com

[droffats]

I have ridden both. Even though I'm 160lbs when fat, I still rode the 17m. I had the 14m and switched up to the 17m. For me, I never found that the 14m was only for lighter guys, the 17m still got me going in a little less wind.

Cabrinha hasn't told me directly that the Contra is out for next year, but with the Xbow going 1:1, at the very least, I'd guess if there is a Contra, it too would go 1:1.

Either way, my lightwind kite now is the Freak Dog EZE 13m. I might get just a little bit less low end, but waaaay more jump.

-Droffats