Power Kite Forum

Good upwind buggy kite for 30mph + winds

vwbrian - 17-10-2009 at 08:51 PM

I was at sunset today My 2.1m Speedy II just about took me for a superman, so I flew my smallest kite 1m Pro foil. I was surprised that it could even get me and the hardcore rolling but it did. Only thing was I could not get up wind at all I just kept getting farther and farther away from the truck. I met a new friend there and he towed me up to the beach entrance and i flew back from there. Is there a 1 to 1.5 meter kite that can get you up wind. Wish I had taken the Peter Lynn buggy with me today I think the lighter weight buggy would have helped, to get more speed going.

WELDNGOD - 17-10-2009 at 09:06 PM

2.0m pansh ace is the smallest tow truck that I own. You might wanna look into a npw.

flexiblade - 18-10-2009 at 08:03 AM

In crazy high winds the wind window becomes rather narrow due to the force exerted on the lines and the fact that the kite just can't hang out on the edge very well. The catch 22 on this is that if you could find a 2m kite that gave really good upwind in, I'm assuming, winds above 35mph than it would most likely eject you very quickly as soon as you went to zenith with it - and if it accidentally went through the middle of the wind window it would throw you like a ragdoll. Bravado on days like these can give great stories - but those stories usually will be accompanied with a scar and a limp.

cheezycheese - 18-10-2009 at 08:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by flexiblade
In crazy high winds the wind window becomes rather narrow due to the force exerted on the lines and the fact that the kite just can't hang out on the edge very well. The catch 22 on this is that if you could find a 2m kite that gave really good upwind in, I'm assuming, winds above 35mph than it would most likely eject you very quickly as soon as you went to zenith with it - and if it accidentally went through the middle of the wind window it would throw you like a ragdoll. Bravado on days like these can give great stories - but those stories usually will be accompanied with a scar and a limp.


is that why you named your 2m ace "the little killer" ?:wee:

flexiblade - 18-10-2009 at 08:10 AM

Damn strait

Bladerunner - 18-10-2009 at 08:41 AM

The 2m ace will definately take you upwind but I find it a VERY sketchy kite up near the 30's !!!
My 2.5 profoil seems to do the job. I gave the 1.5 away. It wouldn't hold power just give little power spurts as you zip it back and forth. The 2.5 is super tame.

An 8m Arc may be an option ?

flexiblade - 18-10-2009 at 09:07 AM

Depends on the arc - my 8m venom is too lifty and zippy fast in 30+ winds - I just recently tried to fly my 10m Guerilla in 35 mph winds - had to let out so much of the back lines to reduce power that I almost completely lost steering - very sketchy.

At NABX this year I saw a few guys flying a 9m phantom in 35+ winds - very skilled pilots. I also saw a 3m Ozone Flow cruising around in similar conditions. And if you want to break some records there was the libre spirit 3.5m that was tearing it up in those winds.

Bladerunner - 18-10-2009 at 09:28 AM

YUP,

I was thinking about seeing AJ out there going :wow::wow: on that 6m Phanny myself !:alien:

VWBri' was there. I think he gets the concept ! :cool:

I am really looking forward to getting a shot at a small arc. I haven't had the chance yet.

ripsessionkites - 18-10-2009 at 09:41 AM

I don't think the lighter buggy would help ... you would probably have more difficulties trying to keep the buggy in a straight line with all the side drift from tacking upwind. The hardcore you have tracks better with the extra weight compared to the xr+. you could try letting the brake lines out by an 1/2" to 1" so you're going to generate more speed from the kite than pull. you're hand position also changes to, so you'll be more to the center of the Handles for controlling.

cheap buying options, use shorter lines

you might like the RII 2.2m when available or the Core 1.8m. The RII points higher than the Core for one.

its good that the top brands make smaller sizes .3 to .6 apart. in some winds it really does count.

krumly - 18-10-2009 at 05:01 PM

I see what Rip is getting at. Remember lift is proportional to apparent windspeed squared, and .4 meter difference on a 2 m kite is like another 1 m on a 5 m kite. It all adds up quickly. I don't fly race kites - no use for 'em on our smaller fields with gutsy winds.

I can say my Brooza 2m is a nice hi wind kite for around here. It' no depower kite, but doesn't punish me too badly in gusts. My Ozone Lil Devil 1.5 steers fast (actually called the ' LD Stunt'), but it's the kite of last resort before I give up on the buggy.

krumly

bigkid - 19-10-2009 at 01:53 AM

I have to agree with krumly on the 2m Brooza, been out in 25 to 35 at the park and had a blast. small area, lots of turns and zero to mach 5 between turns. Got to love the little kites.

Maven454 - 19-10-2009 at 03:15 AM

I'd have to vote for a 2m Ozone Flow. It's fantastic.

kitejumper - 19-10-2009 at 03:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Maven454
I'd have to vote for a 2m Ozone Flow. It's fantastic.
ive used Jovvers 5m flow and i agree--they are super in the buggy.........but not 5m in 30mph of course......

awindofchange - 19-10-2009 at 11:32 AM

Short lines is what you are looking for! Try something in the 15 to 20 foot length at longest for your little killer.

You will be amazed at how good it works, and it is a fraction of what another kite will cost you.

ragden - 19-10-2009 at 11:39 AM

I've flown a Flexifoil Rage in the 1.8m size in 30mph winds with gusts to 40. Went upwind just fine. You just had to be mindful of keeping the kite up high. Had it yanked out of my hands a couple times, thank goodness for kite killers. Really fun day though... I have a picture on in my hall that my wife shot with me screaming upwind with that kite, and the sand blowing across the buggy, pretty intense stuff. Very fun little kite... :smilegrin:

The other thing you can do is add more weight to your buggy. Then you can get away with a larger kite, just be mindful of what you are doing.

I was flying my 8m Outlaw in 25+ and getting in trouble. Hooked my buggy to another, Todd jumped in the back and we took off for a rockin good ride. :smilegrin:

Bladerunner - 19-10-2009 at 04:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by awindofchange
Short lines is what you are looking for! Try something in the 15 to 20 foot length at longest for your little killer.

You will be amazed at how good it works, and it is a fraction of what another kite will cost you.


I almost forgot my little lesson from NABX.
Rip' and AWOC are right. Try 15m lines. It is amazing how much better they work in high winds.

art_lessing - 20-10-2009 at 12:17 PM

this reminds me of the time flexiblade and I were out flying when we met the elusive Khooke....the wind was howling about 25-35 gust...he was flying an original 2.0 meter quadrifoil ---the thing looked like a pillow case-----and he was going all in what seemed like every direction...it was very impressive...we were just learning and it didn't make any sense that he was going what seemed like directly up wind at the time on lumpy deepish grass...although it nipped him at one point he just got yanked over....I would love get one of these...too bad they don't make em any more......although I flew Dagon's 1.7 beamer in 50 mph wind and that was not too sketchy until I want to land it......

vwbrian - 2-11-2009 at 03:29 PM

I will have to try some shorter lines next time the wind is 30+. Was also thinking a
1.4 PKD Buster 3 30+mph Unknown line length
1.5 PL Hornet 7-32mph line length 20m
1.4 Beamer 6-38MPH with 20M lines
They all are about the same price within $25 might be better in those winds.
Any recommendations or should I just try the shorter lines.

Bladerunner - 2-11-2009 at 06:07 PM

Shorter lines really are amazing. I say go with them.

arkay - 3-11-2009 at 04:18 PM

+1 for shorter lines.

But in 30+ I put away the foils and get the LEI :) I've got a 5m LEI that I feel comfortable on land with in that wind but in that much wind I'd rather be on the water with my 7m.

ripsessionkites - 3-11-2009 at 05:26 PM

+1 on the short lines
(use your 2m Jojo SC)

I wouldnt go with a 1.5m unless its blown 50+ ... 2m is as small as you want to get.
The windrange for the PL Hornest on the low end is pure static / learn to fly, you need to take that above and beyond the windrange to even pull a buggy.
You put down "unknow line length" .... its supplied with Small handles and 20m Lines.

ive been out in high winds than 30mph + small park and all i really needed was Hornet 2m or Beamer 2m
low profile / low ar would be the better ticket in those winds.