Best Taboo 14m vs. 15m

tommy2112 · Since 01 May 2012 5 Posts Chicago Kook

I'm torn between these two kites...

As a someone who is getting back into the sport ( rode 10 years ago and owned a 2 line naish) , 190lbs, looking for a light wind kite with a good wind range...(my first NEW kite)

Does anyone have experience with these two sizes in the taboo?

Would I be better off going with the 15m OR will I notice a big difference with the 14m. I know they are designed a bit different.

any input would be great
Thanks
Tommy

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2623 Posts The 503 METAL

I don't know about the Taboo specifically, but I think if you're going to carry an XL kite bigger than a 13, you should go BIG. 14's just seem like the worst of both worlds....slow turning/not that powerful.

nickdward · Since 11 Aug 2008 130 Posts Seattle Stoked

There's a big power difference between the 14 and 15. My buddy and I are the same size and went out on the same surfboard with 14 and 15 taboos in 12 kts or so. He was struggling to go upwind and I was having fun. The 15 and 17 are designed differently and than the 14-10 and are the go to lightwind or racing kites.

14 is green and 15 is blue one

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

I haven't tried the 15 i bought a 2011 14 to replace my 11.5 Kahoona as my biggest kite. I'm pretty pleased with it turns well and relaunches ok for it's size. It's definitely not grunty in light wind though. I'd been told this in advance which is why i got the 14 not the 12. High end and bar pressure are much better than on my Kahoona. I think of it as a 12 regardless the size printed on it.

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 599 Posts Addicted

i tried out the 15 & 17m tab's last year, decided to go with a 13 kahoona. not saying one is better, the 13 kahoona just gets down and is pretty close on the lower end of the wind range that the taboo covers. Where i thought the tab gets big ups is that it really seemed to be able to go a lot higher in the range. seemed like you could have a 7m/9m kahoona/delta and then a 15/17 tab and would be able to ride from 10 to 30+mph. in any case, Id go with a 15/17 tab for a lighter wind whip over the 14m. The tabs are a rebrand of the waroos, which were known to have zip on the grunt.

tommy2112 · Since 01 May 2012 5 Posts Chicago Kook

That's great info!!!

Thanks, I'll be looking for a 15/17m taboo then.

I would def like something that can work with a bigger range and not yank me all over the place.

Am I going to notice a huge difference between the 15 and 17? Or are they both safe bets? They are hard to find!!!

Thanks
Tommy

nickdward · Since 11 Aug 2008 130 Posts Seattle Stoked

Depends on the other kites in your quiver and conditions you're going for.

I have never felt the need for a 17m (I'm only 145 though). The 15m will get me going on my raceboard without any whitecaps on the water. I used this kite with a homemade raceboard in all the summer races here in Seattle and was able to pull off 2nd overall in the series.

For me I got too powered quickly on the 17m if it picked up a little and it had only a marginally better low end.

My quiver is a 15/12/9 taboo (2011) and 5.5m V3 kahoona. This covers any conditions pretty much anywhere around the world for me. The TS looks like another great improvement on this design, but honestly I'm pretty stoked on my current taboo quiver.

Once you accept that the medium sized taboos don't have as much low end power as you might expect from its size, they are great kites with fantastic high end performance. For the medium taboos (not incl 15/17) subtract 1-2m from the size to compare to modern delta and bow kites people are so used to.

The same thing applies for turning speed....subtract 1-2m. The taboo is very quick and unhooks well in the waves.

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 599 Posts Addicted

tommy2112 · Since 01 May 2012 5 Posts Chicago Kook

Okay, Maybe the 14m tab will work for me then...I'm 185lbs.

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 599 Posts Addicted

tommy2112 · Since 01 May 2012 5 Posts Chicago Kook

Right on...That would be a good idea.