Power Kite Forum

Litewave Wing 153 or 161 ?!?!?

Jaymz - 17-5-2011 at 08:16 PM

So been searching for a light wind board. Forget about paying $800 for a new Door and late model used are nowhere to be found.
I really like the reviews and feedback on the Litewave Wing. It might loose a mile an hour or two on the door low end, but it sounds more versitile (exp when it gets choppy) with slight rocker vs. the flat door.

http://www.thekiteboarder.com/2011/02/litewave-2011-wing-ana...

http://www.thekiteboarder.com/2010/09/designers-corner-2011-...

http://www.kiteboarding.com/proddetail.asp?prod=litewave_win...

I found a good deal and can't decide on the 153x45 or 161x45. I'm still green and just got up and riding last fall. Too the point where I'm still a little wobbley when starting goofy and working on staying upwind.
I'm 180 lbs and they say the 153 is for 160-200 lb. riders and the 161 over 200 lbs. I'm thinking the 153 will be slightly more responsive? The 161 will plane a bit earlier? A few local guys my size ride the Monster Door saying it's better to go big, then sit on the beach. But It's huge! Anyone?

Kamikuza - 17-5-2011 at 08:39 PM

My Flydoor XL is 170x50 :lol: It's bigger than some of the local RIDERS let alone their boards :D

How heavy are you with gear on? What are your other board options? The Proof is already 151 so I'd go for the big Wave ... better to go big with the board than sit on the beach ... depending how the board is too, you may not even notice the size - the Flydoor feels like a much smaller board and is mad fun.

Jaymz - 17-5-2011 at 09:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kamikuza
How heavy are you with gear on? What are your other board options? The Proof is already 151 so I'd go for the big Wave ...


I'm 180 at the moment and go as low as 170 in summer when I sweat it off at work lugging and laying tile and stone. Then add swim shorts..another 6 ounches? ;-)
The Proof is alot narrower with alot of rocker. I'd say 2 differant boards by far. The proof isn't known as a true light wind board. More of a low priced beginner board. Serving me well when the wind is up, but too many summer days blowing 12-15mph here. Just not enough for the Proof.

macboy - 17-5-2011 at 09:27 PM

Speedos!



Hey, so when I was chatting with the shop owner in Florida I mentioned my Proof 151 and he said that a lot of people fell for the marketing on them but the reality is they are hard to work upwind on because of the rocker - especially so for a beginner. Any echoing of that here or are they solid boards to have around?

Jaymz - stay tuned. Just might be a Door on the market. Of course, probably too late for you though.

Kamikuza - 17-5-2011 at 11:00 PM

You get another six inches from swim shorts? Oh wait what ... :lol: that damn picture of the speedo's ...

So keep the Proof for high wind and buy the bigger or later model of the other two boards for lightwind ...

FWIW my Rip Plus has less rocker than the Flydoor ... and the 'door is easier to ride in chop because - it's got those 3D shapes on the tips that lets it flex.

Cheddarhead - 18-5-2011 at 10:30 AM

Macboy, my eyes spontaneously bursted into flames from that pic, good thing I can fly a kite without looking at it. :o

cheezycheese - 18-5-2011 at 10:43 AM

Macboy that's just wrong.... in sooooo many ways....:alien::ninja::lol:

indigo_wolf - 18-5-2011 at 11:07 AM

Me and the wee ones are huddled in the corner hoping that there are no followup pictures with pink thongs.

You try to protect the little ones from the horrors of the world and it just sneaks up on you anyway.



Oh the humanity.... :no:

ATB,
Sam

bigkahuna - 18-5-2011 at 11:55 AM

@Jamyz - I'd go with the 153. I weigh 240 and my lightwind board is 145x49. The longer length won't buy you much at your weight.

@macboy - Dude, put some pants on! ;) I ride a Proof 161 that I've converted into a mutant with some 3" Jimmy Lewis fins on one end. Works great in the surf. My only complaint is that it weighs a ton, heaviest board I've ever owned. Guess that's the price you pay for cheap and bulletproof.

macboy - 18-5-2011 at 02:02 PM

hehehe....there isn't a camera manufactured that could snap a picture of me in Speedos and not spontaneously combust.

Jaymz - 18-5-2011 at 06:09 PM

Thanks Big Kahuna. That's where I was leaning.
I sure hope that was just a "waredrobe malfunction" Macboy. Scary stuff.