Another Quiver question

argos · Since 07 Apr 2010 66 Posts

New quiver concerns...

Thanks and apologies in advance for reading ANOTHER most likely painful beginner quiver question. I was hesitant to post as this "beginner quiver" is almost as frequent as the "lessons?" one, and I tried NUMEROUS NW Kite searches to answer my questions, but am still a bit confused.

Looking to get our first real quiver this year. Very excited and finally ready to part with real money. My wife and I started last season and after some lessons picked-up a couple used T2s (11M and 9M) and a new 2008 Cult 6M. We live in Portland and split our kiting between The Gorge and the coast. Like many others, we have eventual sights on the ocean, but it seems a bit far off now.

For now, mowing the lawn is pretty fun. However, I would like to get on a surfboard soon. Right now the board quiver is pretty slim with a ancient 148 Jarvis and 130 Doyle Custom. Also, we have an older 6'0" Lost poly surfboard that I am itching to try and most likely destroy in the process.

My wife primarily flies the 6M and loves it. In fact, that is all she uses. She is around 120lbs and I have probably another hundred pounds on her, so the 6M is usually too small for me unless it is almost "too windy."

I spent most time last year on the 9M. I felt like I was overpowered more than half the time. Those times I would find myself wishing for something between our 6M Cult and 9M T2. Somehow I got in my mind what I needed was an even numbered quiver: 6, 8, 10. After that, I imagined my world would be complete. Is that a newb thing or does quiver range really matter that much?

The problem is I am cheap! There a ton of new kites on blowout now online and I want at least one. It makes buying used tough and hard to get exactly what you want. The exact sizes of the models we are looking for don't seem to be available for the prices I am finding.

In attempt to keep my question simple, I am focusing on Naish. 2010 Naish Helix or Cult. Leaning towards the stability and range of the Cult, but it is only available in the 9M while the Helix is 8M and 9M. Is the gap between a 6M and 9M that big of one for a three kite quiver with an 11M or 10M rounding out the bottom end? Perhaps a 2010 Liquid Force Envy 10M because it is so cheap!

Planning on La Ventana this January hopefully with a new quiver.

Thanks again!

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

Hey Argos,

I am cheap too, and I don't want to carry around any more gear than I have to. I think a quiver with 3M intervals is ideal. Your biggest kite can even be 4m bigger.
I've found a 4 kite (or more) quiver to be mandatory for my needs.

A lot of kite companies have gone to 2 meter increments which makes it tough to stick with a single brand/model without sacrificing some wind range or going to a 5-kite scenario. Your issue is that your 9M Turbo is like a 10 or 11 in most other designs so the stretch from your 6M seems wide.

For you and your wife, a 6-9-12-15+ would be ideal, but you either need to find a kite company that has those sizes in the same model, or atleast stay with a consistent design. Good luck Thumb's Up

kenja · Since 19 Jun 2008 179 Posts Stoked

I've been sticking with a 7-9-12 quiver the last couple years and am happy with it. A 3m gap on smaller kites is too big IMHO, but a 2m gap on big kites is not enough. I like to look at the gap on a percentage basis because that's how the power varies. There are tons of great kites out there these days, just make sure you get a good freeride kite from a reputable company.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Older kites like your T2 probably have less range than newer kites - thus your feeling of being overpowered? Also - when your kiteboarding skills get more advanced you will probably feel more comfortable in the winds that you now feel overpowered.
Another suggestion - don't build your quiver to be compatible with your T2s as they are old and you'lll need to replace them with a different kite.
Don't be in a hurry to buy - go to LV and demo kites.
If the quiver is for you and you alone, then 3 kites in 3m increments is probably good. (6, 9, 12) or (7,10,13).
But for 2 people sharing a quiver then you should consider 6, 8, 10, 12.
I live in the gorge and many couples are sharing Slingshot Rally kites. Good for all styles, all levels, all conditions.
I'm 185 pounds and I share a quiver of Slingshot RPMs with my daughters and the 4 kite quiver is perfect (6, 8, 10, 12).
I spend 50% of my time on the 8m and the rest get used about equally.
Lots of good deals to be had on SS kites on NW Kite classifieds.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

I think ldhr is spot on. 3 kites for one person, but 4 for two is really ideal. Yes, you can make due with less. But do you really want to?

The irony for most kiters I think, is that as your skills improve you have a greater ability to make the "wrong" size work on any given day, but your desire for the "right" kite grows as your ability grows. I find this especially true on a surfboard, which is about all I ride now. At 195 lbs I am usually on my 8 RPM, or 6 RPM. However, I now have a 10 Rally as well that I am really impressed with.

If at all possible Demo a 10 Rally--Magic on a surfboard! Lots of great kites from just about every company. Try as many as you can.

Eric

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

verona · Since 09 Sep 2009 2 Posts New Member

My husband and I built up a similar 4-kite quiver (5, 7, 9, 11- all Waroo's except the 9, which is a Rev) I've only used the 5m in Oregon, but we went to Maui in September and took some lessons there in lighter wind and I went all the way up to a 11m with my husband was on a 12m at the same time!

If you haven't taken a lesson on a Naish I'd really recommend you do before you buy one. The lessons I took here in the Gorge were on Best kites, which I loved (except for the Kahoona, and I hear the newest Waroos are following in their design... Rolling Eyes

) But the lessons we took in Maui were on Naish and I hated them. Even the instructors had nothing good to say about them- pretty much apologizing for making us use them because they have an exclusive deal with Naish.

holly · Since 09 Jul 2006 440 Posts Hood River Obsessed

a three kite quiver will generally will allow you to kite in most any conditions. some things to think about is buying kites that allows you to kite in conditions you want to kite in. for myself I had a 13m at one point and never used it, and when i could use it i didn't want to kite. I just sold my 11m because i never used it. the only time i have ever wished i had a bigger kite then a 10m is when I went to SPI which has been twice. I pretty much only kite in the gorge and the coast. So think about what you want conditions you want to kite in. another example is for beginners wanting to get smaller kites for higher winds but never use it because its too windy. anyways just some thoughts I have learned over the years. you can also change your quiver with using different boards for a bit cheaper. I have 2 kites a 7 and 9, and three boards. a twin 133, a wake skate surf, and a surfboard, and can pretty much make it work in most conditions.

happy hunting!

The minnow · Since 26 Jan 2009 395 Posts argentina Obsessed

Listen to what jon modoc says, keep it simple... my belief is a 10m rpm thats it nothing more, man i travel more then most people and draging around gear is no fun.When you get to a spot you normaly only use one kite size your whole stay, john admanson says two kites both the same size. and i have rode a lot of kites 20m,16m,13m,17m, but am 300lbs but have rode a 11m in 15nts and made it work. Not any kite will work in under 14nts well, or be fun, still its nice to ride big and use the kite as shaddy spot, serious that 10m have seen rode by normal rider in over 30knts, crazy over powered but he pulls it off its his only kite, clay of santa barbara rides a 12m RPM in the lightestwind with boots, so am plenty confussed, and convinced big kites are a kind of novelty now. so 10m surf board / twin tip thats it, if it doesnt work, snoorkleing is good too. secret agent

jblum · Since 13 Jul 2008 306 Posts The Gorge Obsessed

I'm glad no one has slammed you for asking the question... Good to see good folks helping out other good folks and sharing some tips. My 2 cents:

My g/f and I spilt a REV quiver of 5/7/9/13. It works great. She's on the 5, I fly 7. She flys 7, I'm on the 9m. She's on the 9m, I'll hop on the 13 or take another 9m and pull out the surfboard. I generally think that switching twin tip to surfboard gives you the ability to kite something 2m smaller or so (i.e, 9m w/ twin=7m w/ surfboard).

You could easily do something like that with kites in a similar range. The 6/8/10/12 RPM would be great. If you want to buy 3 rather than 4, I would say buy three kites in the 5-10m range, rather than trying to stretch and get a larger kite too. In the past 3 years, I can count on two hands the number of times I've flown my 13m REV, and its the only kite I haven't upgraded out of my quiver because its STILL CRISPY (ie, never gets out). I don't think I'll ever sell it because I really like it when its light enough, and it will never get worn out because its not light like that in the Gorge. We've cycled the 9m out twice now (REV to new REV to REV II now) and the 7m is getting replaced by a 6m RPM for next season.

Try lots of kites and ask lots of questions~ tons of good times to be had!