I've been at this for a couple of months now, and thanks to many here (as well as lots of field time), I feel like I'm ready to move up to the next
level.
I'm currently on a HQ Rush IV Pro 350 and a Trampa ATB. The Rush was great to learn on, but I'm fairly sure I've outgrown it as far as what I can do
with it, and upwind travel is pretty impossible at the moment.
After scouring the forums here, I'm thinking about the Flysurfer Peak 2, specifically the 9m version. I say 9m because I'm a big guy -- right now at
about 265 lbs. If you guys think I should go with the 6m, I'd love to hear your opinions!
This is something I'd like to be able to use for both land and snow kiting. Also, with the Peak, the combo backpack/harness looks interesting -- is it
reasonable to just go with that?abkayak - 30-12-2014 at 01:59 PM
thats a lot of kite to handle if you have only been on your rush...i hope you have flown some others kites..particularly some dp's around that
size...if not have someone w/ dp knowledge around first time out you will feel better about launching it...i want to say get a 4line4w7s - 30-12-2014 at 02:14 PM
The Peak2 is a great choice and a great value for a kite that has lots of nice features and s very safe to fly.
Your question about size depends on several factors....obviously rider weight and wind speeds, but also riding surface will make a big
difference...e.g. cold thin snow coverage on cold ice has less resistance than deep snow or wet snow/ice conditions. Also your gear prep can be a
critical component of this formula...I probably spend a ridiculous amount of time tuning my skis, but I enjoy it. I see lots of other people struggle
because their skis/snowboards are iced up or just plain slow. Slow boards have a huge impact on a kite's performance.
I had 50+ sessions with the 6m and 9m Peak1 (which I loved) last winter in every combination of conditions that is imagineable and they were my go-to
kites for the entire winter. I sold the P1's somewhat regrettably, and I now have in my personal quiver the Peak2 in 4m, 6m, 9m...and as you may know
there is also a 12m Peak2, but at my weight I may not need a 12m.
Unfortunately our winter here in MI has been pretty sad so far so I have not had a good chance to really teat the Peak2 other than flying it at the
beach, but a friend of mine in Utah (who owns 6 and 9 P1's) said he tried the 12m P2 where they have some real snow right now and really likes it
and feels like it has many improvements over the P1, some of which I've outlined in another thread.
I weigh 160# and use skis. I could get going in about 5 kts of wind with the 9m in "fast" surface conditions. Once I could get moving even a little I
could generate more apparent wind and move along pretty nicely. For me the sweet spot fo the 9m P1 was between 8 and 15 kts, with the 6m P1 probably
14-20 kts. These kites have a lot of power, more than you would think. I got the 4m this year so that I would be comfortable in 18-25+ kts.
I'd guess at 265# the 9m would be good in 10-18 kts and the 6m in 15-22kts...again depending on your riding surface. If you want to ride in the really
light conditions you should consider the 12m.
The backpack is NOT something that you would use in powered up conditions or for jumping with. In my opinion it is only good for really light duty
towing, maybe on a light wind day with really fast surface where you do not have to do much edging or absorb a lot of gusts. The pack has a very
narrow waist belt that does not spread much load out, so it would be quite uncomfortable if the kite was pulling hard for prolonged periods of time.
The pack has a pocket for a hydration bag which is nice to have, but you can easily accomplish that with another good pack. The FS pack is only big
enough to hold one kite and a few other bits of gear. One other problem is that the Peak2 bar for the 9m and 12m is longer than the Peak1 bar, so the
Peak 2 bar does not even really fit into the pack...unless that has been redesigned for this year (which is possible). I usually use a kitesurfing
waist harness, sometimes coupled with a climbing harness, or sometimes a kitesurfing seat harness. Another item that I think is really worthwhile is a
"Dynabar" spreader bar. I have a few older models available if interested. The Dynabar makes riding so much more comfortable. I've been using one for
6+ years.
I've seen a few other 9m P1's for sale and they are really nice kites. The new Peak2 is similar yet very different. The new bar has a lot more
features and the kite has a different shape with more lift performance. Either Peak 1 or 2 will be super easy for you to fly. The Peak 2 will
definitely have some advantages, although for a few hundred less $'s you will also enjoy the Peak1. I'd guess you'll love either one.
I'm over in MI, but I'd be happy to let you have a go with kites anytime. There's a chance I'll be out in NY in February, but you may be eager to get
a kite before then. If you want any more information let me know and I'll give you a call.Psychotronic - 30-12-2014 at 03:37 PM
Thanks for the info. Typically, I'm looking at grass -- mostly not even good grass, either, as groomed fields that large are...well, I can't even
think of any that are suitable. For snowkiting, the riding surface I plan on is snow, but probably not so much on the ice as we don't have many decent
spots locally that I can think of. And, frankly, the idea of falling through scares me!
I'll be out of the country for the second half of February, so hopefully if you do make it over here, it's earlier in the month! I'd love to give it a
try.
I know everybody talks about having large quivers, but realistically how do you afford it? For the time being I need a do-all kite, both in intent and
size. cheezycheese - 30-12-2014 at 03:53 PM
I know everybody talks about having large quivers, but realistically how do you afford it?
Buy used whenever possible. There is a trusted community here that buy and sell.robinsonpr - 31-12-2014 at 06:52 AM
As abkayak has said already I would imagine that the 9m Peak will be a lot to handle, depending on your winds of course. I've not flown one but
basing that on my experience with the 6m. The folk at flysurfer say the 6m Peak generates power like a 9-10m foil and the 9m Peak pulls like a 12+m
foil. That's a LOT of kite!
I've got a 6m Peak I and it can generate a lot of power when the wind is above 10mph. You've got some weight on me, I'm 180 lbs, but still the 9m
could be one size too much, especially as it will be your first depower. Unless you only fly it in light winds for starters (5-10mph).
I've also been learning myself, and after getting a broken thumb from a larger depower kite I got the 6m Peak to learn the ropes. You'll never
outgrow a smaller kite as it will be your higher wind kite in the future! 4w7s - 31-12-2014 at 01:48 PM
There is nothing wrong with being afraid of thin ice...almost every winter a few ice fisherman or someone dies here in MI as a result of misjudging
the ice. If you are on ice it is advisable to make sure you are not alone, have some rescue gear available, flotation gear, always carry ice picks for
self rescue, have an emergency plan in mind, etc.
Last winter the ice on our small lake (2x7 miles) had 30" pf ice on it at one point. Lake Michigan was frozen almost all the way across! Even under
these conditions, drain holes and pressure cracks can open up during a flash warm up. You really need to know your situation or consult with people
who really know it. If a lake is spring fed it could have dangerous weak spots when the majority of the lake is rock solid. If a lake is shallow it
might freeze faster, but sometimes organic matter can actually generate heat and weaken ice from below.
I've seen fisherman caught by surprise floating on small icebergs , i've seen iceboats go thru goose holes, and last winter one of our mates crossed
the thin ice near a channel and the kite cam caught images of the ice breaking apart right under our feet....crazy...stupid in fact.
a few weeks ago a local (and very experienced) iceboater went thru and was sitting in the water clinging to the edge of the ice for 20 minutes because
everyone else was on the other end of the lake taking a break. A close call for him really.
So...YES be very careful. Ice can form quickly but it might not be "good ice" and good ice can deteriorate just as fast at it formed for various
reasons. I would say 4-5" is a minimum thickness for safety sake. And be mindful if some ice has formed and then you get a covering of snow. The snow
will insulate the ice from the cold air and ice accretion will stop...and if the water below is warm enough it will weaken the ice...and it can be
very deceptive to see a beautiful blanket f snow on top of thin ice...always beware an get some real core measurements and understand the entire
surface of the lake and how all the factors effect ie safety.
Sorry for getting a bit off topic with a discussion about ice, but I cringe every tie I learn about someone going thru the ice.
Anyway...nothing wrong with riding on grassy fields. Of corse you want to have a decent base of snow to have a somewhat uniform surface. A few patchy
spots is OK, but edging into grass, dirt, rocks isn't so good. If you are riding felds it's nice to have at least 1 mile of fetch so the wind is not
so flukey. So depending on the orientation of the wind, the trees, hills, buildings, launch spot, etc...you might have varying success. I am not
familiar with your area, but sometimes we study GoogleEarth Satelite images to find potential spots and then we go explore. If you find a spot that
might work, do everything you can to maintain access...which means being diplomatic and getting proper permission etc.
Since it sounds like you will be riding on grass substrate and some terrain you will need a little more power than riding on flat ice. I realize that
some people have budgets or are not gear junkies but having 2 kites and some line extensions will get you riding in 80% of the kiteable conditions.
Where I am we typically snowkite in 7 or 8 kts to 20+ kts, occasionally up to 40 kts if the conditions are right. But with a 6m and 9m Peak I was
covering 8-20 kts easily. And there is NOTHING worse than having great conditions and not having the right kite. PERIOD. And you can never ave too
many kites...hahahah....right lads?
But sure, start out with one and see how that suits ye...and then get another one if you need it. If you need to anything else just let me know.
