2012 Slingshot Rally 9m or 8m???

TBoz · Since 08 Apr 2012 6 Posts Hood River Kook

Slingshot guys and/or Slingshot Rally riders in HR...

Trying to put together a couple of Rally kites. I'm about 170lbs (give or take a few), ride a TT Jimmy Lewis Model 3 133cm board, dont have a surfboard to ride yet. I would consider myself more of an intermediate/advanced intermediate rider, due to the amount of inconsistent riding time I have had over the last few years.

I am a horribly undecisive person... Trying to decide on either the 2012 8m or 9m Rally. I am only looking to get one right away, but will most likely add the 6m soon, for the bigger days. According to slingshot it looks like the 2012 8m has a huge range, with the low end almost equal to that of the 9, but with a much higher top end, I like the 8m for this reason. I guess I am drawn to a 9 because i was originally considering 9,7 quiver of a different brand. I dont have the cash for 3 kite quiver so 6,8,10 is out, trying to decide between 6,8 combo or 6,9. I know the breeze in the gorge I've been racing skiffs here for a long time but havent kited here.

Need some experienced advice 6,8 or 6,9? Looking to order one of these today or tomorrow.

Thanks, the Rallys look great and some friends of mine on Maui who rep the kite have had good things to say!

consumer · Since 28 Nov 2010 406 Posts banned Obsessed

i'm no expert in gorge conditions since I haven't lived here that long- but I think getting a 6,8 in a kite with as much range as the rally is a mistake. I'd go with 6,9.

too much overlap in a 6, 8 with bow kites. If this was for C-kites this might be more ideal.

K

Nak · Sun Apr 08, 12 6:29 am

6, 9. Then somewhere down the road you can add the 12 for a 6-9-12 quiver.

caps · Since 23 Dec 2010 347 Posts Obsessed

I'm the same weight as you but ride a surfboard more than my TT. I have a 6/8/10/14 rallys. I would probably go 6, 9 also. Don't worry about the charts- they're guides only. They don't always apply to how you actually ride. But not what you may want to hear, the 8 has been a killer kite for the gorge. Honestly, I can almost ride the 8 anytime I can ride the 6 or 10 because of it's huge range. These kites can also be comfortably pushed to their high ends as well due to lots of depower. If you commit to eventually 3 kites, 6/9/12 would be sweet. But a 8/12 combo could work to cover gorge and coast as well if the budget was tight or you simply put your money in boards versus a third kite. I have been stoked with mine. Just commit and enjoy your new toys.

TBoz · Since 08 Apr 2012 6 Posts Hood River Kook

maybe an 8m and buy a surfboard? Ride a TT on breezy days, and surfboard on lighter??

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 615 Posts Addicted

the 8 with the 2 boards sounds good at first but you may find that as the breeze picks up and you are thinking about switching to the tt the swell will also be picking up and the surf board may look even better
i'd say 6, 9 and add a board later as well if you have the cash
either way , have fun

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

I am 195 and ride strapless only. As you improve I think you will find the 6/9 gap too big. By that I mean you can absolutely handle it skill wise, but as you get better being on the wrong size kite--non optimum size--will annoy you.

At your size with some directional use I would go 6/8/10. You will use your 8 70% of the time. On a directional you end up trying to use the smallest kite you can get away with, or I do, anyway. The Rally 10 has a really huge fun, usable range. It can be your light wind kite on a directional, and lit up, I wanna boost kite on a twin. If you go with a 9 I would do 7/9/12.

The Gorge is windy. Rally's are really nice kites.

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed

Hi ,
Just get a 7M Cabrihna Switchblade and a surfboard - TT your set !
You wont have all those decisions , thoughts of rallys cluttering your mind .
If there's not enough for the 7 its time for disc golf or MTB.
Twisted Evil

JackZ

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

Don't think you need a tight quiver with these kites. I'm your size and had 6-8-10 last year, plus a 13 Key. Sold the 8 and Key and got a 9 and a 12. The Rallys are so rangy (delta shapes are anyway). I've been out on the 12 in 9m conditions and don't mind that much. I've been on the 9 in 6m conditions and can hold it down. On the 9 in 12m conditions and have enough power to be fun. Get a couple of boards and fill in the gaps. I ride on the coast and not much twin tip so take that into account. Always ride fast boards and do your homework there. Good fins matter for surfboards.

sentone · Since 10 Feb 2006 66 Posts

TBoz...the ralleys are super nice kites with huge range,i ride a 6-10 quiver,it works like this for me my 10 is the money kite...14-30...i get to the beach and if its to windy for the 10 the 6 goes up,i get asked lots if i would use a 8 but both cover the range....i think of it as the 6 is a high wind 8 and the 10 a low wind 8 with room to move ...in the gorge you get HUGE wind so having a small kite is a must, as for a big kite the 10 has large range.....if its super light and you have to ride plan on getting a floater board.....a surf board or a glide type will do the trick.......i ride surfboards only and trade off from the pit to the celaritas both 5-11 im apx 190 +.......if your in the hood you are lucky the slingshot crew owns customer service and dave ,shy or any of the crew will gladly hook you up with demos and set you up with ALL things right no need stress........... that being said 2 kites and lots of boards opens up the coast to......just my 2 cents.......have fun......

mcsailor0303 · Since 18 Mar 2009 184 Posts The Dalles Stoked

I am flying the 2012 9m Rally, and would recommend the 6+9 quiver for the gorge. 6+8 you are going to have quite a bit of head scratching going on. Good luck with your decision! See you on the water!

achen · Since 03 Apr 2012 39 Posts

hoodkiter · Since 10 Jul 2010 95 Posts Hood River, OR

What I have found is that here in the gorge, if its not nuking, its pretty damn light. We scarcely ever get nice "in between wind". If I were you I'd get a 9 and a 12. It all comes down to personal preference though too, so consider if you like riding really powered up, or if you like mellow cruising. if you are more of a mellow cruiser, or ride a surfboard, you could get away with a 6 & 10 quiver. with modern kites you can choose really anything in a 2-3 meter range for a given condition. for example, I would ride anything from a 6m to a 9m on a windy day (20-25mph).

I hope this helps.