Most Stable / Sedate / Boring 6m For Janky Winds?

proletariat · Since 22 Feb 2013 102 Posts Denver, CO Stoked

I need some help.

I just had my first session on my 6m Rally (2014, I think), and I felt like I was trying to hold onto a rabid meth head scrabbling for some crank. While dragging out, kite would shoot forward, fall on slack lines, pop into the zone powered up, fire up through the window past the edge, rinse & repeat. It felt *kind of* okay once I got moving, but was still constantly fighting it to stay riding. Ended up body dragging more than I care to admit.

Switched to the 8m RPM a little later and it was still lively and excitable, but way more stable and not squirrelly at all. Had a killer session on the 8m for a while.

Winds were a little Janky, but not THAT bad (maybe 30 avg with lulls to 15 and gusts to almost 40).

I can't help but feel that maybe I completely hate the way those smaller Rally's fly (I love the bigger ones). Can someone suggest either a super sedate / stable 6m or maybe some settings on the Rally that might bring it down a notch? I currently fly on all middle settings (which I love on my 14m Rally).

I experienced similar squirrelly-ness on the 2011 10m Rally (but not the 10m Wave).

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

wylieflyote · Mon Jun 27, 16 4:54 am

Sort of old school, but for me the most stable (boring) high wind kite was the 6M Naish Cult 2012. These were the "sigma" shaped leading edge kites. Seemed the most rock solid in insane gusts. Never surprised me. Dumped it because the trade-off is less than snappy turns. I checked once... I was out in 56mph easterlies at Rooster one October. Smoooth.

Freeride Kiter · Since 08 Jul 2011 698 Posts Alaska / PNW / Baja Instructor

I'm sticking with the 5m storm.

https://vimeo.com/156184749

patdaniels · Since 29 Jul 2015 91 Posts Seattle area

From my experience, the Wave SST and RPM are more stable than the Rally in the smallest sizes. On the other hand, the 12M Rally is a bit more nimble than the 12M Wave SST in lighter winds. Each kite has relative strengths and weaknesses. I've had a lot of fun on 6M Rally - it's a good kite even though it's a little more squirrely in super gusty conditions compared to the Wave SST or RPM.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2025 Posts Windward

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4907 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Try 6m RPM - worked well for me sat in the jankiest of the janky 8 to 30mph

You may want that responsiveness to get u out of trouble when something large is going to land on your head...

proletariat · Since 22 Feb 2013 102 Posts Denver, CO Stoked

These are great responses. Thanks!

My buddy has a 4.5m RPM that I can probably borrow to see if it's any more predictable. I was eyeballing the storm, but did they stop making those?

I bet I could pick up a Cult for almost nothing and try it out. Biggest annoying thing about those is the same as the wave, that the nose sits up when the LE is on the ground so it always flips over in the lightest of winds. Not a deal breaker, but annoying. Might be worth the trade-off.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2574 Posts The 503 METAL

My favorite janky wind kite I've ever had was the Slingshot T3 5M. The same properties that made it such a pig in all other sizes made for a super stable high wind kite.

A_Ron · Since 19 Mar 2009 29 Posts PDX

The Cabrinha Switchblades are pretty stable in the small sizes, doesn't feel like a squirrel on a string. The big sizes are "stable" (a bit slow turning), but the little ones are more lively. The 6m works for my 180lbs on a small surfboard in about a 30mph wind average, the 5m 35mph and up (very strong westerlies and Rooster).

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4907 Posts Portland Unstrapped

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

Funny you should ask! I have been on North Rebels for the past 7 years and love them! However I tried my first real wave kite this week - 7m CORE Section and this kite did exactly what you want. It flies itself and is so stable with smooth and constant power. Any good wave kite will sit further in the window and should really fly itself and deliver much more smooth and constant power.

SR

Mark · Fri Jul 01, 16 7:16 am

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 834 Posts Opinionated

I found the North Rebel or the Cabrinha Switchblade kites in a 6M are very stable kites.

I know the feeling you are talking about, the only Rev I had flew like that, I got rid of it right after taking it to Baja and hating it.

cpc219 · Since 12 Jun 2014 293 Posts The Dalles Obsessed

The 6 meter Naish Pivot is money 💨🌊🏄😁

shred_da_gorge · Fri Jul 08, 16 11:28 pm

Take up windsurfing and buy my old 3.5m sail...

My 6m Rebel feels manageable in gusts; haven't tried a 6m Pivot but really digging my new 7m Pivot for directional riding. Haven't been OP on it yet tho. Sweet kite, and I've been mainly a North fan for the last decade.

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1727 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

I was out at rufus last weekend it was still blowing into the evening on monday night. saw a handful of kiters go out on 6m kites. was interesting to see how they all behaved in the wind. I noticed the 6m rebel was solid and not lunging back and forward when flying. I would not say the overall wind was janky, but near the shore you could see it was a bit more unstable than in the middle of the river.
I decided to go out again and had a nice foil session in the big swell on my 3.5m strutless and it felt solid.

proletariat · Since 22 Feb 2013 102 Posts Denver, CO Stoked