Good question Tom.
Dont think there will be many people out there who have kited in the 40knots plus. Mainly due to the fact people have not got a kite smaller than a 7m and also that its quite dangerous in winds over 40mph becuase its normally quite gusty. Also you have really got to know what you are doing (Not saying you dont) and also have complete peace of mind with the kites safety and other safety procedures such as a deep water pack down.
I was out on my 5.5m Kahoona the other month at Budle and it was around the 40-55mph mark if not a tiny bit more in the gusts. Yes this was a handful but certainly was not way overpowered. If it was any stronger than that I would not be going in for a dip put it that way.
When I was in fuerteventura in the Summer, I got blown off the water on my 5.5m which was the first time ever this has happened with this kite. Not very often this happens but I would have guessed the wind must have been notching 50knots plus, but was very gusty so was even worse.
Another very important point is that I would never kite alone in these winds. Always nice to have someone to watch your back encase everything goes t$$s up, which the probability off this happening in these winds is quite high.
5.5m Kahoona has been prepared and ready for battle this weekend.....
but who knows how accurate that is
