Recommended Hydro sizes

[Guest]

I have an 11m hydro and want to buy another. I can't decide on the right size to add 7m or 9m.
Would there be too much of an overlap with the 9m or too big a gap with the 7m. The winds are mainly 11-20knots, a few days 20-25knots and very occasionally 25-35knots. I weigh 95KG and use a takoon curver 184. I learning the sport at the moment.

Help appreciated, Regards Henry.

[Dwight]

When you become a better kiter, you will never use a 7m at your weight. I'd go for the 9m because you will be able to use it in high winds when you become a good kiter and ride a smaller board. It's more likely you will want a 15 m hydro when you get better.

[jever98]

Watch out! Hydros are "wipi style" sizing, so a 7 is a 9.5 Naish/North size

[Guest]

Thanks, that's a good idea that hadn't been suggested before. Do you think I should just hold out with the 11m. Then go for a 13 or 15 metre later or would the 9m be worth getting for 20knot plus?

Mike

[bighenry]

Hello again, I've registered as this seems a great forum and I couldn't edit my previous reply. So here goes;

Thanks, that's a good idea that hadn't been suggested before. You may have saved me waisting a lot of cash on a kite I wouldn't use. Do you think I should just hold out with the 11m then go for a 15 metre later.I guess I can handle about 15knots max at the moment on the 11m, how much will this increase in time?

At my weight and begineer level what would the max windspeed be for the 9m compared to my current 11m.


P.S I am aware of the sizing methods,

Regards,

Henry

[Trikke]

ATTENTION!
Your kite's real area is 15.4 sqm and if you can plane with it yet in 11 knots,you don't need a bigger one. If you want a smaller kite in your set I suggest the Hydro 7 (real area 9.5).
I'm 90 kg, I ride a 159 TT with my Hydro 13(17.8m) and Free Air 8.9(12m) and there isn't any gap between them.

Cheers!

[Guest]

Expert level kiters can hold the 11 until 25mph winds gusting to 30mph in flat water.

The 9 would be a great size for when it is solid 20+ average until aound 30mph in any conditions.

I used my 7 Hydro 3 times last week. Good for winds 30-35mph+. I too never expected to ever use such a small kite but now it is my favorite.

I have not tried anything bigger than the 11. If the 11 wont work, it's not blowing at my spot.

FYI:
I weigh 160#'s and ride hana-crew double vision

[Dwight]

On 2002-09-04 13:56, bighenry wrote:
Hello again, I've registered as this seems a great forum and I couldn't edit my previous reply. So here goes;

Thanks, that's a good idea that hadn't been suggested before. You may have saved me waisting a lot of cash on a kite I wouldn't use. Do you think I should just hold out with the 11m then go for a 15 metre later.I guess I can handle about 15knots max at the moment on the 11m, how much will this increase in time?

At my weight and begineer level what would the max windspeed be for the 9m compared to my current 11m.


P.S I am aware of the sizing methods,

Regards,

Henry

Henry,

I rode Wipika kites last summer. The Free Air's. The Hydro is pretty close to being a 4 lined Free Air.

Your 9m will max out at 23-25 knots depending on your board. The 11m is not the huge kite some think. Yeah it technically is, but guys here ride 13m Hydros in 18 knots, no problem. Buy whichever kite you need the most next for your winds, 9 or 15.