The best Light Wind kite!?!?

Hi all,

I know that this is a lengthy discussion and I know its come up EVERYWHERE. But what in everyones (and here I beg) non-bias opinion is the ultimate light winder!! I am talking 7knts, park and fly, upwind ability, the whole nine yards?

One can look at the PKRA race results and say you can base your judgement on that however I don't believe one can do that as you dealing with pros! Or do I in fact answer my own question by looking at say, the top-guns.

Takoon

North

Cabrhina

Ozone

Airush

RRD

For all practical purposes as I am still new to it all and havent had enough experience to fly them, what do you all think is the best Kite out there for low wind days???

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Permalink Reply by Christoff Muller on February 26, 2012 at 21:27

Wow, someone in South Africa that actually owns a Speed 3. Is it the lightweight (deluxe) model?

Must have been expensive, but will definitely give you more kiteable days. I would love to see the thing in action. Where in SA do you kite? Umhlanga?

I was also interested in getting one long ago, but the price put me off totally, and I've since discovered course race boards, which are great fun with a more normal 14m (relatively) nimble kite. But it would be nice to see the speed3 in action.

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Permalink Reply by Grant O'Connor-Smith on February 27, 2012 at 7:16

Yip its the 21m Deluxe. I am based all over really, but moving to CT soon! I got it for when I am in Dubai as it generally only gets to 12kts every now and then. Otherwise I will be taking it to West Africa and places like that (Leeupan dam in JHB). Wind and entertainment are a bit scarce out there so I NEEDED some kite time. Its a slow beast but it will pull you and safe till 15 knots easy! You can depower the kite on the leading edge, the lines, and your normal depower cleat. So for a monster it has a huge wind range. And jumping is so easy, its kind of cheating a bit cos there is not much skill involved just send it to 12.....pull.......wait....float......wait.....float....float........wait for it.........gently touch down!

If you are keen on them let me know I go through dubai alot and I just recently actually flew the 12m and the 15m there. The 12 was pretty impressive, make no mistake though I still love the inflatables more! I can get you a prices too but yeah they are ridiculously expensive. I got mine second hand.

This is Dubai Kite Beach

and the 12m speed 3

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Permalink Reply by Christoff Muller on February 29, 2012 at 17:17

Cool! If you ever go flying (pun intended) with it at Leeupan, Vaal or Sterkies then I should see you there. Let me know when you go if you don't mind? I also ride in sub 12 knots, but with a course board and a very light three strut inflatable.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Logsdon on March 6, 2012 at 17:44

Congrats man, beautiful kite. I had to sign up to the forum just so I can post in the thread. How ofter do you come around second hand Speed 3's? I've seen one being flown down here in La Mercy and really do appreciate the design since I'm a pilot. But being currently an unemployed pilot, I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger on one specially with the exchange rate kicking my ass. Have you had any problems with it since you posted last? I just need to convince myself it's worth it but you know, need to eat too lol.

=Jason-

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Permalink Reply by Dean Bottcher on March 7, 2012 at 8:12

Hey Jason. Don't buy a Flysurfer for KZN or if you are still learning. Aspire to own a Flysurfer one day but maybe not now. Read the full post if you want more answers and my credentials. See you at the Lagoon sometime.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Logsdon on March 7, 2012 at 12:06

I don't see any reason why I couldn't use a Speed 3 on the light wind days here and I'll be most likely leaving the country in the next month or so anyhow(unless I find a job). The 21m Deluxe will be my next kite since I've decided to go all foil in the future. I am still somewhat a beginner but I have transitions and upwind down pretty solid and have started working on jumps(if we ever get any wind). Honestly I'm tired of all the negative in the sport, I count how many times I've heard/read you can't do this or shouldn't do that. If you take your time, be as relative safe as you can be, why not. I think this kite and a Mako 150 would be a killer light wind setup no matter where you are at.

=Jason-

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Permalink Reply by Dean Bottcher on March 7, 2012 at 13:06

http://www.kitesports.co.za/forum/topics/the-best-light-wind-kite?x...

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Permalink Reply by Grant O'Connor-Smith on March 7, 2012 at 18:24

Hey Jason whats up? I am all for the speed 3 but like I said i do believe though that the inflatables are still a bit better (Dean is the pro as far as this stuff goes and knows far more than I do). The inflatables seem more practical/robust are faster and better in waves! you dont want to really be crashing a foil in the waves! BUT it is second to none for light wind days, it is great and the design is awesome! Its a German company that makes them so you know the quality is top notch! The best thing about this kite is that you launch and land and set it up in 2min flat.....boom on the water!! The irony is that you never even walk the lines on these kites and there are a million and 7 of them. If you really want a Speed 3 of any size I can help you get a descent one from my mate/dealer in Dubai.

Where are you planning on going? Who did you fly for? I was with Naturelink/NAC for the past 3 years. I am now with Evergreen International. I ask cos if you are away as much as I am on contract the speed 3 is my greatest asset purely cos in Africa and Middle East the wind is never really that great but the oceans are AWESOME!!!

Grant

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Permalink Reply by Jason Logsdon on March 7, 2012 at 20:39

Hey Grant,

First off nice, Evergreen is a good company to be working for, must be flying the 74's. How did you get into that? My last gig was in India as a King Air check airman and had been hoping to find some work here in SA so I can stay with my girly. Unfortunately that hasn't worked out, hell I can't even get a respond on what it would take for a validation from the flight schools here. Girly wants to keep me here as a trophy boyfriend but I've been itching to get back into the air so my time limit is about up. Most likely I'll be heading back to the states and see if I can get into a jet. Have enough TPIC to kill a horse but I've discovered it's starting to limit me in the expat world.

I'm still sold on the foils, I just appreciate the efficiency of the foil and want something that i can use on land,sea, and air. Some nice vids out there with people even doing some paragliding with them. See what kind of deal you can get me on a 21 DLX, hopefully not so good so that I can say no. I just think in the end, you'll always get more out of a foil design.

=Jason-

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Permalink Reply by Grant O'Connor-Smith on March 7, 2012 at 21:21

747's....not yet! Im on the Learjet 35 (almost faster than the 74's..ha) up here in Kabul. "Girly wants to keep me here as a trophy boyfriend" hahah!! Thats Playa!!

Mate SA is not the place to be at the moment for jobs. I would recommend speaking to Bellmorell? (I think thats how its spelt). I also have more than adequate time, and I have sent countless CV's to SA companies and did not even get a reply from one of them AND I am South African. I landed Evergreen by meeting the guys, flying to th US, doing my FAA Licence, was my lucky break, we all get them at some point. With your King Air experience you would be wise to try Canadian companies (always seem to want crew). However, which ever way you look at it you going to need the applicable validation and be willing to be away from the misses..........but who knows? you may get lucky!! Let me know if I can help with anything. goconnorsmith@yahoo.co.uk, so we dont bore the rest with this discussion... :-) Bloody pilots!!

As far as the 21m goes Ill chat to my mate and see what he has available for you.

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Permalink Reply by Grant O'Connor-Smith on March 2, 2012 at 19:38

Sure Thing Man, anytime! with that course board of yours you will get going in 6kts easy!! Ill let you know when I am in that part of the world again.