ChristoffM wrote:I have recently started kite hydrofoiling, and all of a sudden my biggest kite which used to be fast feels too big and too slow. I have a 14m blade vertigo, and it was amazingly fast for its size when I got it, but now the foil begs for a faster kite when the wind is really light. I get about the same low wind performance from my 10m Vertigo so maybe I must just forget a bigger kite? But those light wind conditions are so nice on a hydrofoil, I just want to push the low wind limit to the max.
Can anyone recommend a very fast kite, but that is light weight as well? Preferably no more than three struts, but fast through the sky and fast turning as well. Something like the SS turbine looks like it would fit the requirements, but I am looking for about a 12 or 13m kite. Any suggestions out there?
A bit puzzled about what you seek, but might think that many will not be able to respond ?
You ask for a "fast" kite - and thereby I understand you mean a "fast turning kite" ?
At least that is how the term is understood by most readers in this forum.
What do you need -
A kite that is super agile, and can be tossed around like you wish ?
Or a kite that generates loads of power when you work it ?
1. If you "only" want a fast turning kite, there are LOTS of kites.
2. If you want a fast turning kite with loads of bottom end, there are many kites.
3. If you want a fast turning kite that produces a lot of power and goes upwind well, there are only very very few
For #1 low AR "fat" kites will turn fast, but they will not generate much power when worked (as they sit deeper and will not accelerate much because of more drag).
For #2 the same as #1 just a cambered profile with little depower. Will generate some power when worked, but not still not a lot.
For #3 (I assume might be your desire), you need a kite that turns fast, and FLIES fast !
Meaning typically higher AR so less drag and more speed thus much more lift.
But higher AR will make the kite turn slower and less efficient - so these two desires pull the opposite way each of them
Then there are many compromises that can do a bit of everything (or just as bad at everything is another way of putting it...)
Above is the general way "kites" behave, but important to know in order to know what one is aiming for
Maybe you want a particulary extremely agile kite specifically because of the foilboard, or ?
What do you think is the difference since you can not use big kites in light wind like raceboard riders do - is it too difficult to "get started" ?
Curious - as I dont know - never ridden a foilboard....
Peter