21M kite

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

I recently had the opportunity to fly the 21M flysurfer in Cabarete. As far as I know this mysterious kite has never made an appearance in the NW....

I want to give a quick plug for Stephan the owner of http://www.kitexcite.com/
All the schools and kite hotels on kite beach in Cabarete are excellent. But I specifically booked with these guys cause I saw they had a 21M flysurfer and provided specialized instruction on how to fly it. I had two sessions on it - which was enough to get me intrigued and wanting to try it again...

Does anyone in the Gorge/Portland area have one of these?

-A.K.

flipper · Since 17 Oct 2011 320 Posts Obsessed

I think you use that in 3 knot wind, with gusts to 4 knots. So, no haven't seen that one in the gorge.

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

<-- 17.5 Machine - Not a fast kite - like flying a midsized car. My favorite thing about that kite was I could completely wipeout and recover before the kite crashed!

I've flown a 28m monkey before - it's like being attached to a flying house!

Combine with modern technology, I'm picture a flying house that handles like a midsized car???

Seriously though,
Target range on this is like 6-15 kts on a surfboard?

Could be handy in the Bay or SauvieZ - it's frequently light during the summer. I wouldn't take that in the surf, unless you were tired of pumping it up! Smile

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

I keep the 19m fuel for a sun shade - has two inflatiion valves so if u can corral a friend its only 10 min of pumping

Kiting in 8kts is rad - swimming 80lbs of wet kite a mile builds character

Sella · Wed Feb 20, 13 9:19 am

I had a 21M Naish C-kite...circa 2003 or so. Leading edge circumference at peak is so big you could barely get your arm around it. It was donated to 2nd Wind as a party tent.

A.K. did you ever relaunch the Flysurfer from the water? It seems like a slow painful process that requires a reverse launch straight downwind of the window so have fun spinning that 21 around. Rolling Eyes

The inflatable strutless kites hitting the market seem more interesting for lightwind options to demo IMO or maybe a Turbine???

D-Krep It Kiter · Since 18 Jul 2011 417 Posts Obsessed

Years back, we were windsurfing at Viento and came off the water from sailing 5m sails. A couple of guys were on the shore were trying to pump up a used 21m kite they had just bought... they were still working on it when we left. I can only assume things went well....

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Why? There are other things to do you know. You can head over to Rooster Rock and hang out with Captain America for a different kind of experience when the wind ain't blowing.

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

alleycat · Since 29 Jun 2006 176 Posts Portland Stoked

Just my two cents.

An inflatable kite such as the Turbine, Flight or Crossbow LW (the best and only choices IMHO) require far less real estate to launch then a Flysurfer. One of the main problems with light wind kiting is families with tons of kids are on the water and on the beach. The flysurfer requires more room on the beach then if you were to attempt to parallel park three transport trucks. Inflatables have the advantage of water launching to get away from the crowds.

My vote is to stay with an inflatable LW specific kite, the improvements that have been made in the past few years is amazing. Demo a light wind specific kite before buying a Flysurfer.

It is kind funny discussing LW kites on NW though, most people from the PNW will never understand the need to have one in their quiver.

bad monkey · Since 10 Mar 2010 13 Posts New Member

I have a 21 Flysurfer that I use all year on flathead lake. It is an awesome light wind kite. The relaunch is very easy off the water and it is also easy to handle by my self on the beach. I can start riding my dialer or skim board in about 6 mph and be jumping on a twin tip in about 10 mph depending on the temperature. I just sold my buddy a slingshot turbine and although I have not flown it, I can say it is a damn fine light wind kite as well. I have kited side by side with him and it seems as if we have similar power. These kites definitely liven up the light wind we typically have.

Tony
montanakitesports.com

wakeup · Since 11 Sep 2005 328 Posts always Obsessed

I flew a naish 30m back in the day. it was pretty fun
just curious
what kind of special training do you need to fly a 21m?

bad monkey · Since 10 Mar 2010 13 Posts New Member

They reverse launch off the water and there are a couple of tricks that ensure this goes smoothly. Launching and landing on the beach are also a bit different. These issues are related to the foil design, not really the size. Other than that, they are just like flying an inflateable although I would not recommend trying to mega-loop the 21.

Stetson05 · Since 06 Sep 2010 26 Posts

I have a flysurfer 19m and have ridden quite a few times when no one else could get out. Learning to fly it is more of a timing issue because foils this big don't turn as fast as LEIs. I have had it out down to about 8mph and up to gusts of 20 when on water. On land I can ride in about 3mph on a smooth surface. Check out www.Powerzonekitesports.com in Seattle. He only flies flysurfer.

I have heard that the zypher is comparable to the 19m but not sure about 21m.

Nak · Mon Feb 25, 13 9:45 am

I learned on a 19m Fuel... You had to put in an application to request a turn two days in advance. Very Happy

I also had a 20.5 Machine, which was a much better kite than the Fuel. Still slow, but until recently was still what I considered the best Lightwind kite I had flown. Slow, but had a several knot advantage on the 14m T2. The SS Turbine is the first kite I've flown that made sub 10 knot riding fun. Fast for a 17m, about as fast as a 14m T2. At 8 knots I was doing small jumps, and that was when I was at my heaviest weight. (Fat.) 6 knots and I was going upwind in ocean chop. I'm really looking forward to riding it this year. It should be an even better blast when I'm at a normal weight! Very Happy

The point I'm trying to make is that for riding on water there really isn't a need to be saddled with a slow turning 21m anymore. Will they work? I haven't ridden one lately, but I'm sure they work. But are they fun? Not for me, I've seen them in the air. Too slow.

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

I have a 20.5 machine and 17.5 machine machine hanging in the museum if anyone wants to play with big kites. Thought they would be to big to e-bay and ship to deal with selling. Big kites are good for snow and light days when otherwise every one sits on the launch saying how their 13 meter is as powerful.....not faster thoo Twisted Evil

much better than the 19 fuels of sure....