Hi all
I'm looking for some tips on what 8-9m kite to get to complement my 2010 Wainman Boss 12m. I'm still at the Waterstart stage, but having a family means that I don't get out as often as I should to progress.
I've decided I need another kite to maximise my chances of getting on the water. I don't feel the cold that much so will continue during all but the depths of winter.
I'm 90kgs, and use a 139 board. In June I was out at Rye on a mate's 7m in 30+ knots. Was tiring but OK.
Obviously using the 12m when the wind is 20 knots plus is asking for trouble, so I was thinking about the Wainman Smoke 9m but should I get an 8m or smaller?
Smoke is an exellent kite
it has the same characteristics as the boss but they fly upwind better
and as you have probably found they will steer with slack lines and drift back well if you fly under them.
according to the old description on the web site they fill the gap between 8-11m
IMO Wainman is not the kite to learn on because a Wainman will never completely depower.
When you pull your safety or want the kite to completely depower it will flag on 2 lines not 1 like most kites.
There is still a bit of power there!
Just make sure you've got your head around this.
Another thing is a Wainman sits back in the window making it harder work to go upwind.
Getting back to your question get a 12 and a 9 the same brand.
The smoke is an awesome kite and in conditions that suit it, just as safe as any other kite out there. I have the 7.5 now - and I am the same weight as you - and I run between the 7.5 and 10.5 without using the 9 as much as I used too. The more experience and the better you become the more efficient you will become and the smaller the kite you will want perhaps. Although you will pick up some second hand 9's you wont find too many 7.5's!
I also find using the knots on the pigtails makes a lot of difference, to me its like adding or removing another meter of kite.
The smoke is my favorite kite in the range. Reliable, easy to fly and built to last. Make sure you get one with the new carrot bar which is a significant improvement on the old bar.
Alan do you notice that almost everyone on this thread has been around for a very long time ie very experienced.
And they use Wainman.
Wainmans are great I have owned a 9m.
IMO it isnt a begginers kite for reasons I have stated above.
+1 on the Smoke
and
+1 on single line flagging on the rabbit 1.0 and 2.0.
From what I'm hearing some prefer the original bar for self landing, simplicity and for in the surf.
The smoke 9m is a great kite for learning on, i used to have the 9m for the winder days, i used mine in about 23 knots to 35 knots, but if you are learning you should probably stay at home if its more than 25knots, just for saftey reasons, sorry. The water relunch for these kites are great, and would be the best on the market, all delta kites have the best water relunch ability available. As for the saftey, hook your saftey leash up to wear the red ball is on one of the centre lines this will allow the kite to flag out on one line when you pull your saftey, you will have 100% depower. Here is a few tips if buying 2nd hand, pump the kite up make sure there are no leaks, check all vaulves, check for any rips or damage to the kite, check the bridle if there is any wear, if there is ask for a new one, they cost about $120. last but not least check the lines too, hopefully they will be new ones. oh and i always recomend to try before you buy. Hope this helps. cheers
is it just me, or are delta kites prone to invert on relaunch if you drop them in the water ?
thats interesting, i,ve never heard or seen a delta kite invert before. I had my wainman kites for 2 years and had no problems. have you had problems with delta kites before?
