rally 14 or larger for lw.

alawhead · Since 19 May 2008 23 Posts

i am again turning to the nw crew for some thoughts. i have a 12m rally which works great for most wind ranges, but here on the east coast in maine the summers are fairly light. i will soon be getting a surfboard for various reasons. my question is will the 14m rally get me into the light stuff or should i go bigger, like the other various kites larger than 14. thanks.

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

My quiver is 6-9-12 in Rallys. I'm 175 and have a 5'10 shortboard and a 6'2 shortboard with some width and thickness. This setup does it for me but at the low end I need at least 15mph using the 12m and big board. I don't get into the river much but without a lot of current or wave action could maybe scootch out 12mph. If I rode a lot of twintip, would need the 14m in the quiver. Hope this helps.

alawhead · Since 19 May 2008 23 Posts

thanks for the feedback. back when i was looking for the 12m i did think about boing with a 14 then, but i have been surprised on the low end of my 12m with the right board. just trying to maximize my water time..

Nak · Tue Apr 03, 12 7:47 am

With my 14m Rally, a Glide and flat water I can go upwind in about 9 knots. And I'm not a lightweight. Or a medium weight even. Very Happy

With 12 knots I can do small jumps. Here's a video I made at Isla Blanca, 12 knots: (Nothing exiting here, just a video preview of Isla Blanca. 12 knots, 14m Rally, Glide.)

Link

I'd think you could go 2 or 3 knots lower with a Turbine.

toddjb · Since 16 Oct 2007 271 Posts MD Obsessed

I'm 180lbs and can stay upwind on my 14M Rally in 12mph wind with a large twin tip. I don't bother kiting below 12 as I just end up slogging too much in the lulls. I suppose I've been desperate and played in waves below that, but only if we're already on the beach and I'm out of beer. Smile

In STEADY light wind it's a different game. That's where some of those incredible light wind claim videos are filmed. Steady light wind let's you get the apparent wind speed up over the air frame and you can do some cool stuff. My light wind is swiss cheeseyriffic!

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 599 Posts Addicted

if you can get a demo to do some turns with best taboo 15m/17m (depends on your weight) you wont be disappointed. i havent flown rallys. just sayin' that this is a sweet light wind whip.

caps · Since 23 Dec 2010 347 Posts Obsessed

I'm 175# and have fun on a 14m Rally in 12mph with a surfboard or bigger TT. I also struggled with deciding between a 12m and 14m Rally since I already had a 10m. I'll admit that I haven't tried the 12m. But the jump from 10m to 14m is easy. The depower is so great on the 14m that I can easily ride 12m conditions with the bonus of 14m power. And for its size, the 14m is fast with light bar pressure. What more could you ask for? I've been stoked with the kite.

But do demo when you can. 3 years ago I spent a lot of time demoing more than 8 different brands. And in the end I liked them all except for one kite that was probably too advanced for me at the time. Honestly, they weren't all that different. I could make them all work for me.

alawhead · Since 19 May 2008 23 Posts

"has anyone logged any water time on those monsters?"

I get a ton of use on my 17M at the coast in the summer and out in ID. (I'm 185-190). Companies are going in the right direction with try to shave weight and enhance turning. I saw the concerns over a narrow LE and relaunching...I think you have to have a narrow LE or it's too slow and heavy. if I have enough power to plane, I usually don't have a problem with relauch.

You don't want a big version of a regular kite. I had the T3 14m...lots of pull downwind but exhausting to turn. Not much better with a 17M Fuel. The new Turbine is looking pretty awesome!

(oops, just realized I must have hit edit vs. quote..sorry to overwrite your post...I think you were basically concluding that a 14 would be too close to your 12 (agreed) and you were asking about XL sized kites)

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 901 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

Bigger guys (175 lbs +) usually need a 14m for light winds, and lighter riders can get by with just a 12m in the light stuff. I am 185 lbs and would never give up my 14m for anything less in light winds.

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 537 Posts Oregon Addicted

I would look at your board first before you invest in another kite. I think the board has more to do with light wind performance than the kite.

Try some fishes or wide quads with low tail rocker. It will make a huge difference over a standard thruster.

my2cents