Sunday, January 30, 2011

First session with my Noise 12m in light wind at Hampton

Session 123, 24 January 2011

Kite: Noise 12
Wind: 15 - 18 knots, S
Location: Hampton
Time: 18:30 to 17:15 (45m)

I flew my Noise 12m kite for the first time today.  Yes, its taken me quite a while to get around to it.  With such as poor wind season I have opted a couple of times to use my Switchblade 14m instead.

After flying the Noise, I realise this has been a mistake.  The kite is superb.  It flies like a dream and turns much faster then the Switchblade 14.   The bar pressure is good, enough to get good feel, but not too much.

The southerly change after a 40C degree day came through at 6pm as forecast. I got on the water at about 6:30, by which time the wind had dropped, making the 12 a good proposition.

The Noise 12 bladders are much smaller and quicker to pump up.  This lean profile would be one reason the kite flies so well.  After launching me, a friendly kiter pointed out that I should cleat the depower line to avoid the plastic stopper getting torn off.

The kite really wants to fly, but it is predictable and sweet to turn.  I tried a small jump and even in the light 15 knot wind I got some boost.

I stayed out for a while and picked up some short bursts of good wind, then it dropped so I came back to shore.  I didn't quite make it to the second groyne beach and ended up on the third, which is a dicey place to come in.  The reefs just offshore have leg-swallowing holes in them (which I avoided) and some line grabbing rooks in the shore break (which I got some lines caught on briefly).  The beach is narrow too.  Next time I self land, I will do so along the sand rather than from the water.

It took me a while to untangle the lines, but I headed home happy.

A summary of my initial impressions of the Noise 12m kite by Benwilsonsurf.

  • Ben and his designer Dano have created an excellent kite with the Noise
  • Great turning with the right amount of bar pressure
  • It flies well with the bar in - making it easy to use unhooked
  • Good profile with a slim leading edge bladder improves flight characteristics
  • Well finished with reinforced wear points
  • Good power for its size - I estimate it has the same or better power than my Switchblade 14
Looks like my Switchblade 14 will now be for sale.

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