17m SPEED FLYSURFER REVIEW

[mark van haze]

i know its tempting to nail down on any knot readings i can give you but im not sure as how far i can go with the 17m. I only had this one gusty, crappy day with such winds. All the other days were in the 8 knots average.
Im sure I can go higher than 16-17 knots but it isnt a comfortable ride. I promise Im going to give you more exact numbers once i get a windy day.
Do remember I weigh 72kgs - if you weigh more, you will hold more for sure.
I dont really know why i had trouble moving it to the edge of the window once the wind picked up but it will have to do something with the gusty conditions and the really rough chop we had that day. I simply need another day like that to tell you.
And thanks for the support - i really do try and stay as unbiased and objective as possible when reviewing gear.

[johnmelton]

i
I dont really know why i had trouble moving it to the edge of the window once the wind picked up but it will have to do something with the gusty conditions and the really rough chop we had that day.

I would guess profile drag. The speed 17m has a lot of leading edge surface flying into the wind. That would make it hard for the speed to fly far upwind into the wind window at the upper end of it's wind range.

[Tom183]

i
I dont really know why i had trouble moving it to the edge of the window once the wind picked up but it will have to do something with the gusty conditions and the really rough chop we had that day.

I would guess profile drag. The speed 17m has a lot of leading edge surface flying into the wind. That would make it hard for the speed to fly far upwind into the wind window at the upper end of it's wind range.

I think not - if the SPEED had a lot of profile drag, it wouldn't fly far upwind in ANY part of it's range...

[johnmelton]

i
I dont really know why i had trouble moving it to the edge of the window once the wind picked up but it will have to do something with the gusty conditions and the really rough chop we had that day.

I would guess profile drag. The speed 17m has a lot of leading edge surface flying into the wind. That would make it hard for the speed to fly far upwind into the wind window at the upper end of it's wind range.

I think not - if the SPEED had a lot of profile drag, it wouldn't fly far upwind in ANY part of it's range...

How about drag from lift. If it was developing a lot of lift in it's lower wind range without much drag it would go upwind well. Then when it gets near it's upper limit, lift and drag go way up, kind of like a glider. I realize that's contrary to it's image as a fast kite but I believe with this high aspect design you quickly "hit the wall" and quickly reach a point of diminishing returns. Just a guess, not trying to start an argument, just curious about the Speeds limits. I love it's design and can't wait to try one.

[standing ovation]

hey!
nice review and video!
looks impressive

but,

its summer in Ibiza dude,
couldn't you through in the video one tit or two for christ sake...??

[Janus]

hey!
nice review and video!
looks impressive

but,

its summer in Ibiza dude,
couldn't you through in the video one tit or two for christ sake...??

Mark,
Can you step down from the speed17 to your 12m tube when the wind picks-up?

[mark van haze]

what do you want? A best style ass n tits video or actual INFORMATION ?
Besides, I live here, I get to see so much ass and tits that it starts to bore me. Yeah youd think thats not possible but believe me, here it is.
Now from the 17m to my 12m.. no. I cant make a jump like that. From the 17m to my 15m rrd type6, no problem.

[Janus]

what do you want? A best style ass n tits video or actual INFORMATION ?

well it sells... maybe in next vid you could take a beachbabe to hold the windmeter...

back to information again.
What is the size of the 17 (LxW and profile H if possible)
Did you allready compare the 17 and 13 side by side? if so what's the difference.

Thx!

[mark van haze]

didnt quite understand the size question....

I didnt get the 13 yet, but ill be getting a 10 soon so i can tell you how that compares.

[Janus]

I mean the overall dimension, length x width