I have an 8m lithium i'm looking to purchase a bigger kite for those days where i struggle with the 8. I was thinking 10m as Lithiums don't come in 11m, so the next size is 12m. What do you (the brains trust) think of the gap. Do i go 2m or 4. I'm new, learnt to kite this season (late Nov), 72kg and ride a 138x41 twintip. I can now hold my line and no longer doing the walk of shame/knowledge, now working on my transitions.
The 12m is a good kite, nice and stable.
But... it is a very different beast from the smaller kites in the lithium range. Its a "big" kite and turns a lot slower than its smaller brothers (I had a 9 and a 12). It's loops didnt have the nice pull which the 9 did either.
It was a great park and ride kite that used to get me out in as low as 12/13knots.
Haven't flown the 10 but I saw a bloke out at Lanno today on one in 16-18 knots. He seemed to be having fun.
For decadence go a 2m gap. That will always be the best.
3m gap is workable.
4m gap has holes in it where you are either too underpowered or too powered.
Of course when you start adding different boards in then the waters get muddied.
I have 12,10,8,6 and 4.
Hydrofoiling i'll go 12m up to 13-14 knots then straight to 8m to 20 knots Then between 18-24 i'll roll the 10m on the mutant or 6m on the foil, . 24-30 gets 8m on the mutant 4m on the foil. 30-35 8 or 6m mutant dependent on whether its a boost or wave ride session. 35-40 = 6m, but maybe 4m depending on gusts and conditions. 40+ 4m and survive.
Ahhh the glory or a decadent quiver.
Occasionally theres a day when the perfect kitesize is a 9 or a 7,,,,, on those days i'll have to withstand being either slighty over or slightly underdone.
Maybe one day when i grow up i'll go for tultra-decadencence of a 1m quiver
I asked lots of people a similar question.
Then someone replied- 'look at it as percentages' ( 50% bigger = 50% more power- same kite brand and model.) (30 to 40% increases seem to be the norm)
It made more sense to me after that. So 6m 9m, is the same as an 8m 12m. Etc
percentages are just a guide, there are specific light wind and high wind kites.
Select to expand quoteVince68 said..
I have an 8m lithium i'm looking to purchase a bigger kite for those days where i struggle with the 8. I was thinking 10m as Lithiums don't come in 11m, so the next size is 12m. What do you (the brains trust) think of the gap. Do i go 2m or 4. I'm new, learnt to kite this season (late Nov), 72kg and ride a 138x41 twintip. I can now hold my line and no longer doing the walk of shame/knowledge, now working on my transitions.
Hey Vince, if you can afford to keep 8-10-12m kites go for it, you'll be happy for sure. I've been going with 7-9-12m down south around Augusta, the 9m is most used and 7m comes out for 30kt days. The 12 is hardly used down there unless it's sub 20kt or for morning sessions. 2m or 3m gap depends on your local conditions, or where you kite most and what wind speed range you have there. Congrats on graduating from the walk of shame stage, it's a milestone alright. Have a good one
If you want to get out on lighter wind days with the TT, I'd say go for a 12m kite with a big wind range. Since I only know north kites that would be the rebel for me.
If you want to progress towards surfboard riding, I'd say get a 10m and the surfboard as soon as you can. 10m and a surfboard with that weight can be fun with 13 knots I'd say. Below that it is sht wind anyways 
Thanks for the feedback crew. My budget is probably secondhand. Justifying a new 10 and 12 is a lot of money. Going by the feedback, it sounds like going for a 10 is the go. My neighbour lent me his Lithium 10m and i found it predicable and very nice to fly. I kinda liked it a lot and secretly wish it was mine already. I guess over time i'd probably end up getting a 12m also but that will be further down the road so i'll start with just adding a 10m to my quiver. The season is almost done now so i don't see a big rush on new purchases.
cheers
Vince
I used to run Lithiums (until recently).
14/10/8 but I am a heavy weight at 117kg.
I didn't see too many issues with the 4m gap between 14 & 10.
The overlap boiled down to the 14m wind range from 17 to 25 knots (max), the 10 from about 22 to 28+ knots.
If you're lighter than me and in less wind, I imagine the size gap of 4m would be more profound.
I'd go 12 if you're light. I'd go 14 if you're over 95/100 kg.
Might be famous last words......... Just bought 14/10 Ozone Enduro V2s. Only used the 14 once so far.
Less grunt than a Lithium, so maybe I should have opted for an 11 in addition to the 14.
Will see how I go for a season. If the quiver is not balanced for me, then it'll end up being 14/11/9 next year.
Ran a 7 10 edge 17 zephyr for years, powered from 13 to 40 knts, looking back I'd say this has been my best quiver I've had for year round sessions
Select to expand quoteVince68 said..
I have an 8m lithium i'm looking to purchase a bigger kite for those days where i struggle with the 8. I was thinking 10m as Lithiums don't come in 11m, so the next size is 12m. What do you (the brains trust) think of the gap. Do i go 2m or 4. I'm new, learnt to kite this season (late Nov), 72kg and ride a 138x41 twintip. I can now hold my line and no longer doing the walk of shame/knowledge, now working on my transitions.
I would go for the 12. it will fit nicely on the weaker morning easterlies and seabreezes. you could take it up to 20-22 kts with the depower. then just land and get the 8..
I run a 10m Vegas it's good for me at 90 kg have had it out from 12knots to 45, from time to time I've been know to say...
"it's always 10m weather"
you can run run different boards and it's worth looking into, as long as you comprehend what the weathers doing and have the sufficient skill set. Don't forget it's coming into front season in WA (this is the best time of year in my opinion). Take a look down Your local and see what everyone else is on. Up to 80-85kgs on a tt
you can get by with a 9 and surfboard. But in 35knots cross on you won't wanna be standing there when you get a 15knot variant.
On the other hand buy
8 10 12 14 Twin tip and surf board
(maybe one of them grandad foil things)
and you can kite most days.
Select to expand quoteTHE PIN PULLER said..
"it's always 10m weather"
and often it is!
Vince, if you're looking to buy second hand, now is when a heap of gear starts to hit the market, as the well-off's upgrade to the latest & greatest, check gumtree and seabreeze, you'll find something for sure. A tip for the seabreeze for sale pages, if you filter by brand and there's say 8 pages, flick to about page 6, scroll to the end of the photo ads and you find the start of the free no-photo ads!
I have lithiums whole set
7m 2015
10m 2018
14m 2017
17m 2016
Lithiums has a very good low end but even more great i found the high end and turning speed. I use 14 until 17 Knox but i can keep It untill 20, from 13. And it so fast turning, i loop without problems. So i assume 12 Is even Better.
So for me 8 and 12 Is a lot Better than 8 and 10
I m 90 kg
