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Pete
Since 29 Oct 2007
843 Posts
Opinionated
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 Tue Sep 14, 10 8:26 am Wave kite? |
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First off, let me say I am a fan of Slingshot, especially their customer service, which has treated me very well. I really want to like their kites, but with the constant "new" kites, and new model names, I'm not sure which kite is for what any more. Rev lasted two years, Octane one year, now we have the Key. Why not stick with a consistent model line-up? I think Cabrinha and North have done a good job of this. SS, not so much.
Problem is, I ride waves pretty much exclusively. The majority of the time, I ride in side-on conditions, with the occasional trips to Baja, where I ride in side-off conditions. Will I be able to "demo" a kite in all of these conditions? Not likely. I pretty much have to buy it, and hope it works.
I don't even know which of Slingshot's latest offerings is their "wave" kite? I think the main characteristics for a wave kite are a stable, yet fast kite, one that will drift back in the window nicely, and have quick re-launch and light bar pressure. |
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Kataku2k3
Since 14 Aug 2005
3753 Posts
Los Angeles, CA
Videographer
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windpig
Since 28 Aug 2008
282 Posts
Obsessed
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| Tue Sep 14, 10 9:04 am |
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Ya, I kinda agree with you Pete. I'm a big fan of the Delta shape for waves. I currently am riding Best Kahoona's and for the waves they are awesome. Park the kite, hooked in or not, and it just follows you. Bar pressure is a little higher than some SLE'S but I like a little bar pressure. That new RRD wave kite looks interesting but I've yet to try it. If your thinking about the Kahoona go with the 2010. It is a bit beefier and more stable in higher winds. My 2cents.
_________________
"I don't believe in doing work that I don't want to do in order to live a life that I don't want to live."
-Ed Abbey |
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Wind Slither
Since 04 Mar 2005
2623 Posts
The 503
METAL
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| Tue Sep 14, 10 10:15 am |
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Yeah but what model has been around longer than the FUEL?? 
I think a factor in choosing a "wave" kite is the kind of wave sailing your focusing on. Surfing with a kite, probably strapless and trying to use only the power of the wave would lead you to a super stable kite that you can just park (delta), power wave kiting where you're driving the kite back and forth ahead of your turns is probably better with a C or hybid C.
Fast easy relauch is key, none of this swimming to the side crap! Forget the model names and consider the design. As far as demoing, yeah it's great and all, but in the end, whatever you get, you're going to get used to and make your own.
My2 |
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jackZ
Since 13 Apr 2008
355 Posts
Devon Alberta ca.
Obsessed
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| Tue Sep 14, 10 10:31 am waves |
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I don't know enough about other kites but between my waroos(06 12m , 08 9m ) and my 11.5 kahoona I know the kahoona is way better because it wiil float and wait for my sorry ass to get some tension in the lines ., whereas the waroo will fall quicker .
JackZ
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tonyb
Since 09 Oct 2006
973 Posts
Stevenson in the summer & SPI in the winter
Bolstad Clan
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| Tue Sep 14, 10 10:47 am |
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More delta shape / swept wingtips for ease and quickness of relaunch. Seems like I read somewhere that kites without a center strut will also tend to have better drift and will hang back in the window better.
Tony |
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Pete
Since 29 Oct 2007
843 Posts
Opinionated
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| Tue Sep 14, 10 11:06 am |
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Will he let me take it to Baja? |
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jackZ
Since 13 Apr 2008
355 Posts
Devon Alberta ca.
Obsessed
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| Tue Sep 14, 10 11:49 am waves |
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I don't know enough about other kites but between my waroos(06 12m , 08 9m ) and my 11.5 kahoona I know the kahoona is way better because it wiil float and wait for my sorry ass to get some tension in the lines ., whereas the waroo will fall quicker .
JackZ
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tstansbury
Since 06 Jun 2006
649 Posts
Rowena and P.C
Addicted
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| Tue Sep 14, 10 12:05 pm |
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| I really like the rpm because it seem to just drift back and never fall. Is the rally the replacement for the t3? |
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windpig
Since 28 Aug 2008
282 Posts
Obsessed
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| Tue Sep 14, 10 2:13 pm |
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| Wind Slither wrote: | Yeah but what model has been around longer than the FUEL??
I think a factor in choosing a "wave" kite is the kind of wave sailing your focusing on. Surfing with a kite, probably strapless and trying to use only the power of the wave would lead you to a super stable kite that you can just park (delta), power wave kiting where you're driving the kite back and forth ahead of your turns is probably better with a C or hybid C.
Fast easy relauch is key, none of this swimming to the side crap! Forget the model names and consider the design. As far as demoing, yeah it's great and all, but in the end, whatever you get, you're going to get used to and make your own.
My2 |
Good point there. The Fuel has always rocked. Which is why it is confusing that they don't continue the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" attitude throughout their line up.
_________________
"I don't believe in doing work that I don't want to do in order to live a life that I don't want to live."
-Ed Abbey |
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kenja
Since 19 Jun 2008
179 Posts
Stoked
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| Tue Sep 14, 10 2:17 pm |
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| I saw what I thought was a new SS kite on the water the other day. It looked like a cross between a fuel and an RPM - thin and super unstable. Turns out the guy somehow turned his RPM inside out and managed to relaunch it that way. It didn't look like fun, but I think he managed to limp it in. |
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foghater
Since 31 Aug 2008
135 Posts
Stoked
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| Tue Sep 14, 10 2:56 pm |
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Wind slither totally nailed it when he says it depends on which type of wave kiting your doing Parking or Powered.
Myself I ride powered (in side on) which I feel is a cross between using the power of the wave and kite. The quicker the kite it is the better and FUELS are the only kite I have ever liked for that. |
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Moto
Since 03 Sep 2006
2698 Posts
Still a gojo pimp!
Moto Mouth
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| Tue Sep 14, 10 4:07 pm |
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| kenja wrote: | | I saw what I thought was a new SS kite on the water the other day. It looked like a cross between a fuel and an RPM - thin and super unstable. Turns out the guy somehow turned his RPM inside out and managed to relaunch it that way. It didn't look like fun, but I think he managed to limp it in. |
You may have come accross SS new MPR - the struts are on the outside 
_________________
Still rockin gojos, *ssless chaps, and ankle weights! |
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Gman
Since 11 Feb 2006
4911 Posts
Portland
Unstrapped
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scottm
Since 12 Jun 2006
108 Posts
Stoked
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| Wed Sep 15, 10 11:13 am |
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| Another vote for the RPM. I have owned Fuels, turbos, revs, and RPMs. While they will all work in the waves, the RPM does everything well from unhooked wakestyle to strapless surfing. Friends who have also been kiting a long time, and have tried the Rally, still prefer the RPM. |
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foghater
Since 31 Aug 2008
135 Posts
Stoked
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| Wed Sep 15, 10 12:50 pm |
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I tried the RPM's and i had it stall on me a couple times. Ive heard this from a few people as well. That same session I went back to my fuel and no stall just smooth power throughout the pull.
IMO any extra pullies and harnesses slow the response time which hinders your ability to get down the line. |
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Pete
Since 29 Oct 2007
843 Posts
Opinionated
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| Wed Sep 15, 10 1:48 pm |
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| foghater wrote: |
IMO any extra pullies and harnesses slow the response time which hinders your ability to get down the line. |
I guess that's why I went with North Rebels. |
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hit the nail on the head