G'day,
Considering the above shared set up, (both riders 70 odd kgs) wondering what to add next? The following is my choice in order of preference. Currently all Ozone stuff and we are simple free riders. I like going fast and high.
A larger kite 12-14m.
A much larger kite-Zepher/Core LW
Fat twin tip.
Obvious answer is everything :-) What would you do first or instead of?
Thanks for any input :-)
If you're into lighter winds and glassy fun get either a wide, flat TT or an F-One Bamboo Fish.
I am just under 80kg, 6'1 rider.
My TT is 135*48 cm with minimal rocker. Fantastic light wind weapon.
My F-One Fish is 5'4"*48cm. It goes upwind almost as well as a raceboard, goes in light wind about as well as the fat TT. I generally use a kite 1-2 sizes smaller than anybody else.
It is not a surfboard but it does carve well if you work on your technique. I have not used any of my other boards since I got the Fish. I ride in and out of the straps with lots of foot switching. So much fun. 
I would avoid a pure surfboard unless you want to go in the surf. The rocker of surfboards generally makes them slow, especially in lighter winds. Strapless is fun. It feels great to be able to wander around the deck at will and carve turns on the rail (which the Fish is great for).
I used to have a lightwind twintip, and sure, it got me out in less wind, and is cheaper than a big kite, but I've since decided that I prefer the feel and performance of having more power from the kite and a regular twintip that I can load hard and that can handle speed.
This is a personal preference, and others may be content to cruise with a big board and rely on its efficiency rather than up the horsepower with a bigger kite.
Ultimately, yes, you'll need a bigger board to get absolute bottom end out of a big kite, but as the upwind efficiency and maneuverability of recent model large kites increases I'd be tempted to go for a bigger kite first.
You like going fast and high: 13m or 15m Ozone Edge. At 70kgs the extra grunt of the Zephyr may not be as much use for you at it is for heavier guys.
No comparison,bigger board has some merit but you cant compare it to the pull of a bigger kite in lighter wind,if its in the budget go the bigger kite,14-15 m would be plenty at 70 kg doubt you'd need bigger,or if you want to splash out 14-15m kite and big board combo,i'd go t/t or mutant.
Would also go bigger kite and stick with manouverable board. Consider a good delta such as the F-One Bandit range and you'll find that you don't have to go huge to get good grunt and can still enjoy a quick responsive kite. I dropped down from a 12m helix to a 10m B2 and get out in the same winds. There are plenty of Xbow 12m's struggling in 11-14 knts when I'm out on the 10.
Thanks for that,
Confirmed my feelings, thought most might say board is better option though. I think I'd rather the big kite for my style as per djdojo's post. I'll consider a monster board and kite later down the track. Been looking for an excuse to get my hands on an Edge boost machine so this might be it....Only problem is the price, $2350 for a 13m hmmm. I guess they have great reputation so can ask those dollars.
Also been keen to hear how these Switch kites are looking like/performing from some more unpaid kiters-might have to find out myself, just over $1000 for a spanking new 14m Nitro (their high aspect 5 strut model) with bar. Thats $500 less than the only second hand edge on seabreeze....
Decision time.
Thanks again
oh yeah, like the skim suggestion too-actually looks like alot of fun as opposed to the guys just cruising on barn doors...
My tv's only worth about 100 bucks so no good there, but yep, thats the long term plan, just keep building up the gear and with the quality performance of modern gear surely it should have more longevity than older equipment-so rather than replace, expand quiver!
Prefer bigger kite and keep same board ( for me cardboard wave 148 cm). Prefer to have same feel under foot. Will take thrusters off and put in small tt fins in light wind. On my 17 m core if can't get going time to surf or get father browny points in store for when wind up. Real light wind sb or big tt but rather do something else to be quite honest. Now and then good for a meditative smooth kite though. Tip don't get out 17m in wintervsqualls on 5 m swell. Crazy shi!
