Any advice on SLE size for beginner 230lb ?

GrandmasterD · Post by **GrandmasterD** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 10:23 pm

If anyone around the 230lb 6'3" size has any recommendations on a first kite I would greatly appreciate any input.
I was considering a 12m Rise.
Another question is, what size bar would be suitable? 40, 50, 60 cm?
Just looking for a good alround setup.
Thanks
One more question

. I bought a Mako Wide but don't know if the pads it came with are compatible with my 7mm boots. It seems they are more suited to bare feet. What do most people do in this instance.
Thanks Again.

Ned · Post by **Ned** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 10:54 pm

If you're just going with 1 kite to start with, you're probably right to stick with the 12m. I'm a lightweight at ~140 lbs and have been using a 9m and a 12m, but around Victoria I have barely used the 12m at all, but I'd think it should be prime for you.

As for the bar, I fly my 12m (a Rise) on a 50cm bar, seems just about right. I think this is what most people have for this kite, unless they previously had a 60cm bar or whatnot. The good thing with the 50cm is you would be able to use it well enough with an 8m if you were to add one later.

Can't really comment on the pads too much. I definitely had to tweak mine and mess about with them before I got my booties feeling comfortable, but they are only 3mm I think. I'm guessing since you're a big guy you probably have fairly big feet, in which case, adding the 7mm booties will probably mean you won't have a lot of room no matter what pads/board you go with. Perhaps someone else can weigh in on this...

Good luck!

GrandmasterD · Post by **GrandmasterD** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 7:13 am

Really appreciate the input Ned. I'm that much closer to ordering the kite.
Can't take being a spectator much longer.
See you out there soon.

KUS · Post by **KUS** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 8:45 am

I carry "barefoot feel" booties that add very little thickness and no obstructions to going into the straps (one piece rubber). They are 3mm and I wear them year round. You can try a pair if interested, everyone's tried them loves them....well, except Winddoc

Ned · Post by **Ned** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:24 am

KUS wrote:I carry "barefoot feel" booties that add very little thickness and no obstructions to going into the straps (one piece rubber).

Ya those are what I have, they are the cat's meow.

57palm · Post by **57palm** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:45 am

how about a few more suggestions on kite size...........230lbs and 12 meter ?? would 14 be too big ?? how about me at 190lbs looking for 15-25 knot wind range SLE ?? who fits the bill out there ??

Reuben

Ned · Post by **Ned** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 11:13 am

I'd say the amount of low end gain you get from a 14m compared to a 12m probably isn't worth it, especially as a newer sailor only looking for one kite. Going with a 14m and a 10m may make some sense, but for just 1 kite, I'd say the 12m is the way to go. The winds around here, when sailable, tend to be fairly strong anyway, so light wind performance should be a smaller (although not forgettable) consideration.

As I said, I'm a lightweight, and I'm moving to a 10m and 6m Rise combo - I never really use my 12m, almost always on my 9m OR One.

JL on these forums is ~180 lbs I think he said, and he uses the same 10/6m combo I'm going with, riding a Mako Wide, which helps in the lighter winds. So I'd still probably say stick with the 12m and then add an 8m later if you can. With the 12m you can get out in nice solid winds, and when learning you probably don't want to be out in over 25 kts anyway...

Anyway, I'm by no means an expert, still pretty new to the sport. Here's some more useful info from other riders.

PS GrandmasterD: I just noticed you said you bought a mako wide, with that board I bet you're fine with the 12m. Like I said, JL has the same board and uses the 10m, at about a kite size lighter than you.

57palm · Post by **57palm** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 1:38 pm

great advice thanks for all. 12 often seems to be the magic number

Reuben

AC · Post by AC » Sun Sep 28, 2008 4:07 pm

i say ten meter:)
with the biggest bar
12 meters is a large kite.
SlE in general have more power.
when learning you should learn on a smaller
kite versus a larger one.
a 12 meter in frontal conditions /lack of experience.
???
Its up to u..
Good luck

GrandmasterD · Post by **GrandmasterD** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:58 pm

Thanks again for all the input guys.

So if 12m seems to be one of the best alround sizes what is up with the 14, 16 even as big as 21m kites i've seen.

Has anyone ever seen someone using a 16 or 21m?

JL · Post by JL » Mon Sep 29, 2008 7:12 am

I've got a 14RISE for sale http://www.bigwavedave.ca/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3334 Don't use a big kite in winter storms until you have the local conditions figured out ... @ your size it will be o.k. to ~ 20 knots IF you use the depower correctly !!!

http://oceanrodeo.com/forums/viewthread/1178/

Any advice on SLE size for beginner 230lb ?

Any advice on SLE size for beginner 230lb ?

kite size

thanks

hey

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