just picked up the sonic 8m from shem at kite surf wales.

i have a very good feeling about this kite. went for a nice blue, white and grey. it comes with the same width bar as the 11 but with 21m lines!!! so 2 kites and 2 lenghts of lines will be a good combination.

i hope the kite has the killer low end because of its speed. top end its gonna be 40kn+ after taking the 11 out in a solid 30 knots (even though it was no fun).
i have changed the clam cleat on the 11 to a cleat with a swivel. after testing i will post some pics. its a bit bulker than the clam cleat but its super smooth and has a swivel.

testing should be this weekend and if the long range forcast comes in then i should get to test the bottom and upper end of the kite.

if the low end is as good as i hope there maybe a mint condition 11m sonic for sale soon.

Hey DUDE, my 8m should be arriving this wednesday! I'll be up in Borth fri/sat, so keep me informed with your testing..i'm amped to try the 8m, and curious to see how fast it really is, and of course how it loops. As for your 11m, i wouldn't EVER sell my 11!!!!!!!!

May be worth swapping the 11 for the 14, theres apparently a big cross over range even in these 2 sizes!

i guess the only way is to have all 3 of the sonics!!!!!
although traveling with just the 11 is so nice.

the question is do you really want to be out in 40notts+, and do you want to be out in 8notts, its so unpredictable in either of those conditions. plus the desicion is easier to make with just the one kite.

that said 8 a 14 could be nice.
think i'm gonna stick with me 11, i can only think of 1 weekend in the last few months were i would of used it instead, i've got an 8mtr north toro i've have for nearly 12months, i've never used it. gotta put it on ebay soon along with me 14mtr 05rhino. redundant kites.

[Edited on 7-2-2006 by carlessd]

fair point daz. 8 knots in the summer is realy sailin weather with a beer. on the onther hand 30+ knots with the right kite is amazing. had a go of dereks 5m wipika last year. its the only time we get BIG swell and with the right size kite i was crusing around.
just need tonights wind in daylight.

Chris - Where u gonna be on Sat?

on the beach. here or where the wind is. north wales looks good in a ssw.

where is Willf???????????
leo, what do ya say to a few north wales waves???

chris are you off all next week? i am and if i dont get out on the snow board fancy a trip away in the vans; i know that Col is going down to woolacombe for the weekend ,but on southerly not good there.
give us a bell maybe and lets plan something rather than just being in the same place.
mind you you could copme snow boarding, there was still flights to austria the other day , obertauern has a snow kiting area just at the end of the village!

i am here, just not getting good weekends off for wind, i work when the wind is and am off for all this high pressure crap, not good! pissed off the wind gods or something.
gonna try head over this arvo if there's any puff.
got my hernia op on 24th of this month and on call every weekend til then so today may be my last sesh for a while, and first for a while!
see you all soon love you all and miss you all!!!!

Finally had the 8m sonic in the water!!!!!!!!!!!! What a sweet kite. Super easy handling, flying up wind in 14-15 knots, just a dream of a kite!!!!If you think the 11 is sweet, you gotta try this!

hey shem,

Flew my 8m on the beach on da Gower and was super impressed with it. The turning and response seemed so much more refined..looping on this baby is gonna be the sh111111t!!!!!!!!!

Defo, I did some much under powered down loops, it just whips round.

Forgot to mention, I had a few sessions on the 14 sonic this week, and addmitedly it gets you up and going in 7-8 knots, but when the 11 gets me up in 11 knots, and its a much better kite with faster turning, etc, I cant really see the point in getting a 14 as well, or instead of a 11. Unless firstly you really want to make the most of your time at the beach and get up in really light wind, summer days, etc. Or your a big guy or gall that needs the extra pulling power.