200 lb (90kg) 46 yr old freerider. I ride in the San Francisco bay area but moving to caribbean early 2013. My current quiver is 7,9,12 North Evo. Planning on a new quiver and will definitely get a 9 and a 12 but don't know if i should get a 7 or 14 as the 3rd kite. I rarely use the 7 now and could have used a 14 several times. What do you say?

If you want to get hurt, keep the 7.
If you want to progress with tricks, keep the 14.
If you want to ride waves with a directional, keep the 7.

yes.

It depends on your location. For your weight, I wouldn't get a 7m unless you're going to get over 30+ knots on a regular basis. Or if you're going to ride a surfboard.

We don't get a lot of heavy winds here. I'm 165 lbs and I use my 18m once or twice a week on average. I just sold my 7m that I had for 3 years and used maybe 20 times, mostly on trips to Hatteras. I rode my 9m up to low 30's knots, and I don't go out in over 35 knots.

Thanks. Was hoping for comments specifically about Caribbean conditions, but this is helpful. I think I will go with the new 14. I'll keep the old 7 just in case. Looking at North Fuses, so the setup won't be too different than the Evos.

Sfpete don't go for 14, go bigger. I suggestie you take a look at the light wind kites 15+ M²
Davesails uses his 18 once or twice a week he wrote.. Think about that..
So keep the 7, you never know, buy a 9, 12 and light wind kite.

Dont know about the local conditions - as I believe "The Carribian" is a bit too non-specific to talk about wind conditions ? (or - maybe the winds are the same all over, but hardly the case...)

Anyway - if you are riding a TT it would most likely be a 14 that could be used for 90kg now and then or often.

If you are going to ride on a waveboard, go for the 7, which is a "must have".

If we are talking general wind conditions of ALL kinds that is.

The 7m2 is by far the most used size in low pressure wind systems and waves, no matter if you are 65 or 95kg (the board a bit different size, and the low end of the kites - but the 7 seems to be the most used kite).
Some riders 80-90kg dont have bigger kites than a 7 (and 1 or two smaller ones then, as a 7m2 is not a small kite IMO)

I think (dont know), you are a TT rider - so most likely you would have more use of a 14m2 though

(still, only talking "general" all wind conditions, not specifically the Carribian)

Peter

Where in the Caribbean? In Cancun where I lived for a while the 7 sure came in handy when the fronts would blow thru. I was one of the first guys to get a 7 I weigh 84kg, most guys had a 9 as their smallest kite, I rode many days alone on my 7 when the wind went richter. I rode my 7 Obsession here today in Brasil I love it was 25 knots, perfect for 7 Obsession. Just my 2 cents!

My 2cents ...

Definitely get a 7m. You don't want to miss out on those days. And, as said, if you ride a surfboard, definitely.

Other than that I think it depends on the winds. I think you want a size that is perfect for the frequent winds. If you are regularly riding in 10-15, a lot, you probably want a big kite.

What about a 3 kite quiver of 7m, 10m and 15m. To me that would be ideal. If you want to go 4 kites a 7m, 9m, 12m and 17m probably covers the range a bit better but theres a lot of overlap in the 7m and 9m.

Moving to the Caribbean sounds good!

14, 10, and 7 or maybe 12, 9, and 7. I think the 12m and 14m might overlap too much. Plus, as stated, you can always jump on a bigger board. Like Tony, I would hate to miss an epic day because I didn't have a 6 or 7(speaking from experience).