I was just wondering if any one had an idea of the wind range of the 15m flite?  I know there are many factors like board size , weight etc.
  What is a realistic wind speed I would be able to keep this kite in the air, and be able to water launch?

thanks
Matt

Matt, there are a lot of them out in the wild right now so hopefully some customers who have one will write in as well but I’ll give you my take, bear in mind that I work here though!

The Flite features our FST wingtips and as such sits quite high on the water when crashed, the wing tips shape also breaks the surface suction that typically hold the kite to the water and as such the Flites (and our other kites with FST) are very easy to re-launch. In terms of wind speeds, you’re going to need at least 6-8 knots of wind to keep the kite airborne and - depending on your board - can reasonably expect to get moving with the kite at that speed too as the Flites develop power nicely with apparent wind speeds.

Hope that helps!

John Z

180lb rider,  surfboard or large board, 10-12knots your good to park the kite

8-10 knots you start to sign the kite, but you are still good with a big board

skywalker - 17 May 2012 10:49 AM

180lb rider,  surfboard or large board, 10-12knots your good.

Really? That’s interesting, my question would be how is it at say 12 - 16 knots compared with a 12m Razor?

If you want light wind, the 15 flight is much more powerful than the 12m razor.  My quiver is

15 Flite
10 Razor
7 Razor

Hey! That’s my quiver too! The force is with us!

So when do you guys jump from the Flite to the Razor? Around 16 - 18? That may be my quiver next season, depending on what comes out.

The thing with the new school light wind kites is to not think of them as a part of the normal kite continuum, rather they come into play when your normal kite sessions are off limits. I’ll ride the 10m Razor down to 15 knots or so on a surf board and be stoked but if I wake up to a light wind day and just want to go out and play, the Flite comes into the picture whereas in the past I would just dismiss the possibilities of kiting that day… if that makes any sense at all.

johnz - 17 May 2012 11:50 AM

... if that makes any sense at all.

John, sounds like a skim board fits the description too.

I would agree with John Z on the low end of the 15m FLite.  If there’s enough wind to get out and ride, you should be able to relaunch it if you have skills and it’s properly inflated.  On the upper end, I’ve had it out in .... 25 knots (in the gusts) or so, but it was really gusty and decided to put it down.  It got a bit twitchy.  In more stable wind, I’m sure it could handle 25knots give or take.

just had it out today in 12 knots and a small board and it was fine. Could have used a surfboard though .Wind picked up to 20 knots and it handled pretty well. Wind picked up some more and I was looking for my 10m

My quiver is simply 15m LW, 10m Razor and 6m Razor.  Covers everything with 5’11” surf directional and small twin tip.  I can get going in 8 knots to 35 knots.

How does the 17.5m Flite compare to the 15m for wind range?