What size kite would be recomanded for 260lbs.

frenchy · Since 03 Mar 2009 88 Posts Eugene, Florance, Newport, FLoras, Gorge

I have a 15m rev. What other sizes do people recommand.
I was thinking 12m and 9m. Or is 9m for 30 to 35 knots to small.

Just planning ahead.

My thoughts:
15m for 10 to 20
12 for 18 to 25
and 9m for 24 to 35

Just guessing

I weight 260
210 lbs by summer time.

What are peoples thoughts.
You guys know this stuff better than I do being a New B

I want to kite Floras, Florance, Newport, and gorge.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

I'd definitely go for the 9m next. Guarantee you'd have no problems with it as I let my friend's uncle (who's ~240lbs) ride my REV 7 at South Jetty a few months back. He was a bit underpowered, but it was probably averaging ~30 and I was still on my 9, lit. For the Eastern Gorge and strong north days at the coast, the 9m will likely be your primary kite. Then there will always be those times when an 11 (wouldn't go with a 13 as it's too close to your 15) and/or 7 are nice.

EDIT: I'm sure you've probably seen smaller kite wind, but this is from a few years back when we were still at OSU. South Beach and Siletz on wound out small kite days! You can see why that 9 would be good! Cool

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-1340.html

Chooch · Mon Mar 09, 09 10:19 pm

2nd that one.....get the 9 first and ten fill the gap when you get around to it.

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

I think you should go for the 11m Rev as your next kite.
It is way faster flying then the 13m.
I think that the 9m would just fly too fast and not have enough grunt for a kiter of your stature.

For most people the 9m is the go too kite. But I think your go to kite will be an 11m. Having a kite too small can be a bummer especially if you are a new kiter.

You should demo some kites to figure out which one works best for you and the conditions you kite in.

Make sure you check the conditions with another kiter before going out. Make sure your skills and kite size are appropriate for that location and NEVER EVER KITE ALONE.

frenchy · Mon Mar 09, 09 11:41 pm

A lot of choices. I'm 260 lbs. I don't know if that makes a difference. I'm a quick learner. And it's hard to kite with another person when you don't know anybody that kites. At least not personally. If I hear you right, the weight don't matter???
The size has to do with the speed of the kite. I know that. But how those that relate to my weight. I would think the kite needs to be big anought to pull me along and up. Any ways. Keep on talking.. I'm listening.

Nak · Mon Mar 09, 09 11:48 pm

So much depends on your board choice & style. It doesn't sound like you're in a hurry, so I'd wait & demo different size kites when Demo days is on, or hit up one of the reps on this forum for demos.

One thing that I've found as a heavier rider is that the stronger the wind, the closer my kite size is to the lighter riders. i.e. if the lighter riders are on 11s, I'm on a 15. If they're on 9s, I'm on an 11, if they're lit on 7s, I'm comfortable with a 7. If they're on 5s, my 7 is too big.

Think of it this way, the smaller the kite, the bigger difference 2m makes. Jumping from a 5 to a 7 is a 40% increase in size. Going from a 13 to a 15 is a 15% increase. Plus--in my opinion--the larger kites aren't as efficient as smaller kites, further exasperating the difference.

What I'm saying is, you may find yourself using a smaller kite than you think in strong winds. Don't settle in on your size choices yet. Stay in winds that you're comfortable in with your 15 till you progress. Then try an 11 and a 13. See which works for you. Then when you're ready for stronger winds, try a 9 & 7.

Edited to add:
The heavier you are, the more critical board choice becomes. You need a stiff, low drag board. If the board isn't stiff enough, it will flex too much under your weight & create a LOT of drag. Optimally, you'd talk Hein into making you a board. Smile

I'm not sure, but I don't think he still is producing boards for sale anymore? Barring that, Diggy has a great deal on a Misfit 146 in the classifieds...
End Edit

Most importantly, Have fun! Very Happy

frenchy · Tue Mar 10, 09 12:34 am

The big board thing is not an issue. I have a 150. It's a great board. And works great for me.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

kiterron66 · Since 18 Jun 2007 13 Posts spi

I weigh 235 and have a 9, 12, 16 2008 Rebel. For me a 9m works to 35mph maybe gusts beyond. A reputation for a good low end and good depower system are important. A big guy like you isn't going to get over powered very often. A skill level is important as well
Have Fun

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Here is a thread on kites for big dudes.

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-11926.html&highlight=claws

Mike Hawk · Tue Mar 10, 09 11:27 pm **kite size**

nasih 30m bro thats the ticket

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

This topic was discussed a couple months back. "Kites for Big Dudes". Check out Moto's thread reference.

Seems like this is a bit of an issue. I wonder what percentage of market share "big dudes" represent. Is there a market for this? Finding harnesses also seem to be an issue. Can't find harness shorts for men that are over 38" waist. If they have even a small belly, the waist harness tends to come up over it and you end up riding with the bar on the chest. Tends to be a problem with more stout women as well.

M.

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

I am 225 I rode last year only on 11 and 7 rev but I rode surfboards. I would get the 11 next and then work on a board quiver. 150 may sound like a big board but for light wind you need a low rocker wide board like a glide or flydoor and in high wind you need a good small board like a mako or sx 135. you do not want to fly to big of a kite I would say as a beginer just fly a kite on the large size of what people are flying and as you get better you will end up rideing 1 size above with bigger boards.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1855 Posts XTreme Poster

11

For me at 195 the 9 is my go-to kite in your basic 15-35 Gorge winds. My 225 buddy is almost alwyas a size up--12. I really think you would use a 11 80% of the time.

E

frenchy · Wed Mar 11, 09 10:15 am

I love the feed back I'm getting from every body. Such diversity. Remember that I'm not 195 or 210 or 230. I'm curently 265. Now that's a lot of weight to pull out of the water no matter how much you bend your legs. i wanted a kite that I could use in 10 kts wind. I was hoping to go out to Fern Ditch in the summer when the wind is blowing, and since blowing around here is about 12 to 15 kts. I figured out on my own that a rev 15 would be great. And I'm satisfied with my decision. Last time I used it, the wind on the coast was 18 to 28. Some gusts at 31. I didn't have any problem. PS I agree about the harnes thing. I had to go to 4 different stores to find one that was big anough for me. A 2 XL worked out great. Now I just want a kite that I can use for two things. 25 to 35 kts wind. And maybe for the old lady to try learning on. From what I have read so far, I think a 9m rev will do. I plan on loosing a lot of weight the next 3 month. For those of you who don't know me, 2 months ago, I weighted 310 lbs. Now I weight 265 lbs. By june, I will be 200 lbs. That's my goal, and I'm sticking to it. Yes, my plan is to loose 110 lbs. in 5 months. I'm right on track. I'm very healthy and very athletic. Something about being married and having two kids just let's you put on the weight. Time to change that. I'm tired of being over weight. When I was younger, I was always an adrenaline juncky. I miss it. Time to be one again. I just know that if I weight 200, I will be able to kick some ass out on the water. Plus the belly is anoying.
Conclusion.

My next kite will be a 9m and then an 11m or maybe a 7m for the wife and kids.
I just need to win the lottery.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2026 Posts Windward

Kiting IS the the old fat guy X stre me sport Surprised

I started when I was 50 but very fit in 1999
now fairly profiecient but much less fit from
a broken leg recovery 1 yr. ago Laughing

and I would guess just general lameness
but have always been around 200 lbs
Am now 230, drop 20 as soon as kiting begins
Because kiting is very easy for me and
with the addition since 2006 of the bow/bridle/depower kites and the
ensuing injury/strapless thing which is very easy on the body and hard to get a good workout unless eating shit a lot Cool

I now ride a 5' 10" fish kite surfboard that is less than a 1 1/4 " thick everywhere
with a 7.0 bridle kite staying to windward in smaller surf starting at 15 mph wind
this goes on until I get tired or start flying off the board

until around 30 mph then I ride a 4'6" TT surfboard
so for me it has always been about a 6' board
my first was a 6'4" Sky Pirate
and then a super duper Bic 160 TT
I had 2 of them both broken and 2 more I wore out that I made.
I used a smaller cheaper kite that won't slap the snot out of you
until better than 20 mph
and a larger than you'd think board

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Blowhard is so fat when he broke his leg gravy poured out!