i'm using an old 142 decay katana.

One of the local guru's looked at it and thought it would take alot of power to get going. which sort of explaines the not much enjoyment below 18 knots on my 11 edge.

I'm wondering if i got a more modern fatter board if it would make my lighter wind days more fun?

ps i'm 80kg ride in the naki in chop and waves. theres no flat water around here.

give me some recomendations.

how wide is the battleship? maybe a "later new" model around 138/140x40/42 will suit as the wider it is the easier it will get you plaining when the wind is low

Katana is a good wave and choppy water board. Good for keeping speed and power under control when the conditions are rough, be it gusty or choppy. For lighter wind something like a Dagger is better suited as an allrounder but you'll feel a lot looser in the chop when powered. At the extreme there is the Broadsword and Scimitar.

My favourite though is the Cutlass as a lower wind contender for waves and chop and my preferred quiver is the Cutlass and Scimitar. When it's rough I bring the 136 Katana along as it's never let me down keeping things under control during storms and squalls.

Prob both but a bigger kite would be the best start,full house beats a pair any day,so hands down two kite's one board is way better.
A more modern board will give you a way nicer ride but unless you go big you won't gain much on the low end and in choppy surf big t/t boards are crap to edge.

well i got to say the katana does hold alot of power in the chop. i'm usually a kite size up from other kiters.

extreme i have 2 kites. well 5 actually but 2 for the water 11m and 8m.

I did go out yesterday and got planing in 8-9 knots on my 15m manta (open cell depower foil) then got some sweet height when the wind picked up to 16+.... then got overpowered.

So my contemplation is to get cheap trademe 14,15m for the sub 18 knot days.
or change my 11 edge to a 12m something.
or buy a lighter wind deck. maybe even a surfboard style?
or get a more all round twin tip

I can only pick one of the above! funds don't allow for multiple upgrades.

I'd go for the bigger kite ,my quiver is sim to yours 8,10.5,and i have a 13.5 delta for the light stuff.
i do have multiple boards but find i grab the same one just about every ride 130x40,have just got myself a modern wave mutant that i love to ride but it still dosen't do the job of replacing a kite even though its 148.
I'd look for a 13-14 m kite to add to your current quiver.

BIGGER kite dewd

i think your right xtreme.

That didn't take much convincing!

I kinda agree with xtreme that having the right kite for the conditions is always preferable. With todays kites supporting a wider windrange it is a little harder to match a quiver to your conditions, weight and riding style. Especially when you only initially planned to have 2 and that light wind would only be a land kiting affair. Riding on water is infectious isn't it!

Flipside of that is that even with today's kites you may struggle with just one kite some days. You may choose to rig up 2 kites and leave one unattended on the beach. Alternatively, 2 boards can provide that extra range without having to drop a kite or stopping to re-rig rather than coming in and swapping boards.


PS. Welcome to the kite hoarders association Plummet ol'chap!

guster. i still maintain light wind landkiting is more fun! However cross shore is better on the water as is tide in. theres not much kiting on the beach when theres no beach!!!

Hi Plummet,

Just to add to the list of comments - the Katana 142 you have is 42.5cm wide and fairly stiff and flat (compared to what we currently make). Up shot - although not our best light wind board design it does pretty well at the bottom end.

If you have not having fun on it below 18k a bigger kite is likely your next purchase - 14 to 17 sqm would be my recommended jump too.

Cheers

DK

Thanks decay. i have come to that conclusion.

one day i'll afford one or your fruity new boards!./..

zephyr 17m only but that looks like a super light wind kite, maybe a bit too much of a jump in sizes. i guess 15m is the go ?

Bigger board or a bigger kite is one thing I have thought about and tested quite extensively as you probably know. The number on the kite is not really relevant as the power, upwind ability and pull does vary a lot. If you don't believe me go and try a bunch of different brands in different sizes and you will see what I mean.
Personally think past a certain point the board is everything in light wind. The key thing when it gets really light bellow 10 knots is trying to keep the kite in the sky and there are diminishing returns at the bottom end, but then who really wants to kite in less than 10 knots anyway. Sometimes a smaller kite 11-13 m can generate more power through the speed they are able to generate as opposed to a bigger kite. This is only good if you have a bigger floaty board that allows you maintain some forward momentum and supports your weight. The custom board I used on the Brazil trip was about 60l in volume, which is pretty big really. The volume distribution made it some thing that was easy to ride and not too bouncy.
So my quiver includes 13m crossbow 9m crossbow and 6m switchblade. I'm a big fan though of a 2 board quiver, as it means you don't have to waste time putting up a second kite if the conditions are marginal. Given you live in the Naki a second board that is a floaty surfboard makes a lot of sense.

Good advice yaker. and a surf style board is on my wish list. though i think the 13-14m will be my next purchase. i'm looking for more fun/lift in the 12-17 knot bracket. i'd only go in the water below 10 knots to get wet on a hot day!

Jimmy 17m zephur would be ideal. but budget does not extend that far. i'll be looking for a year or two old $600 beast.

on a side note i would dealy love a flysurfer speed 3 15m for a light wind machine but that bad boy cost more than my house. there something about foils and light wind!!!