Quiver help - Naish kites for NorCal conditions

[freerider1971]

To narrow it down, I'm a Naish guy from way back...

I live 15 minutes from 3rd Ave spot in San Mateo [choppy water and rocky shoreline]. I kite there, Alameda [east bay], and on the coast [Half Moon Bay and a bit in Santa Cruz]. In the bay, it's predominantly 10-12m and coast is 6-12m.

So, I ride a mixture of choppy to rolling waves in the bay and waves on the coast.

My current kites [almost all sold] were boxers and aero2s. Super stable and great to learn and progress to jumping. I'm really excited to be in the waves.

Here are a couple of options:
#1
Boxer 2 16m [vacation kite]
'06 Torch 12
'06 Torch 10
'06 Torch 8

#2
Boxer 2 16m
'06 Raven 12 [heard this is great and good for boosting at 3rd ave]
'06 Torch 10
'06 Torch 8

#3
Boxer 2 16m
'06 Torch 12
'06 Torch 10
'06 Shockwave 7

Help me out! I'm ready to get kites enroute for the winter storms!

[PAFF]

From what you wright is your level..

Budget...
Torch2 14.0
Torch2 10.0
ShockWave 7.0

The works...
Raven2 16.0
Raven2 12.0
Torch2 10.0
Shockwave 7.0

[72kiteboarder]

option 1

[freerider1971]

Are you just a big fan of torch kites?

Do you lose much of the Raven boost by going with a Torch?

Are you not a fan/believer of a Shockwave?

Thanks, Chris

[consumer]

shockwave 12 and 7

[PAFF]

shockwave 12 and 7

Unless you are a beginner/intermidiatet, that just like too cruise around, dont buy any bow/sle kite over 9.0....

They are not there good yet..

Mayby next year..

[DrM]

options:
#1
Boxer 2 16m [vacation kite]
'06 Torch 12
'06 Torch 10
'06 Torch 8

#2
Boxer 2 16m
'06 Raven 12 [heard this is great and good for boosting at 3rd ave]
'06 Torch 10
'06 Torch 8

#3
Boxer 2 16m
'06 Torch 12
'06 Torch 10
'06 Shockwave 7

The Torches have such good depower I would skip the 10m in the 12, 10, 8m config. 12m and 8m is perfect or 14m and 10m (for heavier guys).

The Torch II has much better pop than the Torch I. The Raven II is nice but I didn't find it much better than the Torch II - IMO.

If you're doing a lot of surf riding then stick with the Torches. I like my 12m Raven but it just doesn't have the same forgiveness as the more med aspect Torch. The Raven is absolutely fantastic in it's ideal wind range in a steady wind but as soon as it starts getting gusty you'll be longing for the Torch.

[xray]

Hmm, the Torch 2 definitely is forgiving but the Raven 2 still is no problem even in the gusty wind I ride in mainly! It does give the extra boost however and even more important to me, it has better low-end without sacrificing high-end.

[Rockstar]

Shockwave 9

Shockwave 12

Without a doubt !

[freerider1971]

Hey Rockstar, have you ridden both of these kites?

What's your reason for this combo over 3 c-kites?