anyone riding '09 kahoona 9.5?

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

Anyone using the '09 Kahoona 9.5 as your main Gorge kite? How do/did you like it for an intermediate dangle type rider? I'm thinking of replacing my trusty Era 10

Cheers - paul

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

love it.

I'm pretty sure there are some shops in the gorge that will let you demo one. My advice is try before you buy.

9.5m might be a little big. low aspect delta's size to power ratio is different from a Bow or Hybrid.

think of it as an 11m or 12m waroo in terms of range

I also have a 7.5m Kahoona which might be a better gorge kite since its basically like a 9m

here's some footage from the last time I took my 7.5m out

http://www.vimeo.com/10228063

apctjb · Since 19 Aug 2007 438 Posts Obsessed

Ditto; great kite.

I use the 9.5 for wind up to 20-22 and the 7.5 above that..

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

7.5 and 9.5 = 2 kite gorge quiver

Some question the high end of the 7.5 but I enjoy it up to 35-38 and the low end is good for me around 18 mph at 170 lbs. Only demo'd the 2009 9.5 once but I think that is my next kite to replace my 10/12 m. Just waiting to try the 2010 version and the other deltas to see which one I want for sure.

(is there going to be a demo day this year?)

Chooch · Thu Mar 18, 10 5:02 pm

Not sure if the CGKA has a demo day planned this year???

There are a bunch of us local Reps that can get you demo's.

Phil you think we could put a sticky on the top of the Industry page with all the Rep's names so people can find demo's easier?

gocoastal · Since 25 Jul 2009 23 Posts

Go see Jimbo at New Wind...they have the Best kites - I've tried a Kahoona 9.5 11.5 13.5 and 7.5 - the nine-five is the sweet spot of the 09 range - flies well, boosts huge, not too speedy on the turns - those kahoona's can buckle at the tips in super high winds though when you depower all the way while riding
also - if you aren't used to delta kites, they have more oomph than SLEs because of the fat middle - bar pressure is pretty strong - just try them and see - you'll dig the jumping
also very stable when you are on the sand

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

yep they can buckle a bit. its more of an annoyance then a problem.

I found its more noticeable if you don't pump your kite up all the way. seems like the problem is associated with the bridle being so small. there isn't very many attachment points to distribute the load over the leading edge.

why is this not a problem for me? Because when I've experienced it I should have been rigging a smaller kite anyway because I was already riding very depowered. I generally think all kites tend to fly crappier the more they are depowered