DonaldLL - 6-5-2009 at 01:54 PM
You know I was looking at where I am heading in this beginner's quiver of mine and where I am headed in this new passion of mine and I have to pose a
question to the forum.
I have already, in just less than 2 weeks, been asked about buggying or ATB and if/when I might try either or both. For now... I think I might do
neither. I think (subject to change of course) if I did anything more than just static flying, I might try kiteboarding down in the Florida Keys... it
kinda has a ring to it. But for now let's take all other traction kiting variants out of the equation and let's assume I never do anything more than
take my kite(s) to the beach or park and just fly the kite - static that is.
For the static flyer ---
How big is a big kite and when is it too big? I know it has to do with experience, type of wind, my weight, etc. but where do you get out of the
static kite realm? So far I have a 1.2m, 2.4m and a 4m and I like them all. Each has it's own personality (if you allow me to personalize). I like the
feel of all of them. I mean I have my "big" kite, i.e. my 4m Beamer; I like it alot. I still have to grow into it of course 'cuase I'm still learning
but once comfortable with a 4m, is a 5m a good addition to the static flyers quiver? I am sure I'd like the feel of a 5m kite. If I'm not pulling
myself on board, buggy, or waterboard, at what point is big big enough? 6m, 7.5 ???
Thanks
Donald
bigben91682 - 6-5-2009 at 02:01 PM
If you want to jump or scud, I would think a 6 or 7 would be fun, but if you just want to fly in a variety of winds you're probably good with what you
have.
powerzone - 6-5-2009 at 02:05 PM
of course it depends on wind speed and experience.... so we use kites up to 19m !
DonaldLL - 6-5-2009 at 06:33 PM
bigben thanks for the reply... yes this makes sense and sounds reasonable
powerzone, I think maybe you answered the subject line "how big is big enough" but not the specfic question in the body of the post? The premise was
for the static flyer .... I find that hard to believe that static flyers regularly use up to 19m kites. But maybe my newbie guess is wrong.
Can anyone comment on this?
Thanks
bigben91682 - 6-5-2009 at 06:42 PM
I static fly my larger kites, up to 10m, frequently. It's fun to feel the power and lift.
But I own the kites for snow kiting and in the bug. If my only plan was to fly static, no intent of using the kites for traction, I wouldn't own the
larger kites, probably nothing larger than 5m. I'm sure a bunch of people here fly huge kites static, but they probably didn't aquire the kites for
that type of flying.
In my opinion, you've got a great quiver for flying static. You've got some good kites to learn the ropes and refine you skills and have a great time
all the while. If you eventually if you decide to get on a board or in a buggy, thats the time to start thinking about expanding your quiver.
Depending on what you may eventually do (or not do) you will may want different types of kites....meaining fixed bridle or depower, open cell, ram
air, inflatable, ARCs etc. Why buy things ahead of time when you may want something different down the road....not to say that any kite is a waste of
money :duh: but you've got some great kites.
Enjoy them until you get bored with them (which may not happen), then go bigger.
ragden - 6-5-2009 at 06:56 PM
BigBen hit the nail on the head. Your current quiver, imo, is fine for static flying. Thing is, you can fly a smaller kite in low winds, and still get
it up in the air. It will not have much pull, but you can still fly it and get used to how it handles.
When you are trying to get movement out of it, then you will want a big enough kite to give you the pull you need for whatever you decide to do.
Buggies take less pull to get moving than landboards. Snowkiting and Kitesurfing both require more pull. I'd suggest figuring out what you want to do,
then get the kites designed for that. 
Once you get kite control down, ask
someone if you can borrow their buggy for a little bit, check that out. Then do the same for the landboard. Snowkiting and Kitesurfing are both
similiar to landboarding, just different kind of board.
Hope that helps.
macboy - 6-5-2009 at 09:22 PM
Yup, I concur. The bigger kites are for those days when I wanna get moving in lighter winds. Flying them static isn't that much fun since it's a bit
of work to keep them going in marginal winds. I'd say that it's fun to fly everything I've got up to the 10m mark static (not counting the Guerilla -
it likes stiffer winds than I'd fly static in.....if we have winds that good I'd rather be moving). I started my traction kiting life using the Rage
4.7 and still unpack it first for the buggy if the wind's right - it's got the right mix of power, agility and stability for my skill level in the
buggies.
[EDIT: had a BIG ramble here for you - I cut it and started a new thread so I don't kill this one on you.]
johnnylaing - 6-5-2009 at 10:03 PM
You could come up to Jekyll Island this weekend and see anything and everything at JIBE! One or two days here and you'll see more than you'll see all
year!
http://www.coastalwindsports.com/JIBE2009.html
DonaldLL - 6-5-2009 at 11:42 PM
Guys... I think you brought things into focus for me. For now I will buy/own/fly with the sole purpose to learn to static fly. If it moves on to
something else then so be it. Truthfully, when the kite is up there I really don't want anymore input from a board or a buggy or anything else.... not
yet. In all the hype and excitement over the last couple of weeks I felt so many feelings and emotions usually all on the high adrenaline side. But
today, this afternoon I went to the park by myself (S.O. not home yet). There wasn't much wind but I managed to get the 1.2m Sting in the air but it
took work. Then I took out the 4m Beamer. I flew it a while, took it down to make a brake adjustment. Two Latin American fellas, middle aged, came
over and asked about the kite.... in Spanish. I understand but speak only a little Spanish so we talked in English for a while. This is the second
time this has happened where people want to know about the kites. Two out of the 4 times I've been there. Anyway we talked a bit but they could see I
wanted to get the Beamer back up. I have my anemometer now so I know the wind is like 6mph with occasional dead spots and occasional puffs to 8mph so
the Beamer goes up but it's not racing by any means. I overhear one guy telling the other (in Spanish) how graceful the kite is and how much
relaxation it must provide after a day at work. They walk away. I am left with that thought in my mind and the kite in the sky. I wasn't there for
long... maybe 10 minutes could have been 20mins but I just got lost in the peace and serenity of this orange peel glowing against the backdrop of the
blue sky, gliding back and forth across the sun and the shadow dancing around the ground. I know I'm not telling you guys anything you have not seen
or felt but I am telling you something I have not experienced.
So for now your answers make sense; and after that experience today I realize I should savor every moment. That's what I plan to do. The rest will
follow. Like my mood says... I think I'm in LUV.
furbowski - 7-5-2009 at 01:32 AM
I'd say you're doing good with your intention to just static fly for the time being. The longer you fly, the more you'll want to start moving across
the ground somehow, when that urge gets unbearable then you'll be buying / making some kind of board for yourself. So if the addiction lats long
enough, you'll be there anyhow.
that said, I've been flying static since i got the bug, about two years now, and so that urge has been strong for some time...
But just hanging out on the beach and getting to know your kites, that's plenty to keep going on for quite some time.
For me, my Ace 8 is a bit too big. It doesn't turn quite fast enough for me to redirect with confidence, a bit more wind and I think it will be
better but it will always remind me of a schoolbus. An HQ crossfire 7.7 was up for sale a while back, I'd give that a go with expectation of faster
turns and that sweet crossfire lift. I've heard mention of good times with a Peter Lynn reactor 10.8 static. As i continue tweaking my kite and
getting my skills up and flying it in bigger winds, it may yet become a good kite for me.
But by the time you get up into that size kite, you've got power enough to kitesurf, buggy, board, whatever, so then I think folks tend to get into
something like that rather than get all marginal jumping hugely expensive kites that can't be flown safely most of the time the wind is blowing.
My blade 6.5 is very nice static, I'd say something like that you would enjoy. Much bigger and you start getting far less bang for your buck.
Many of your preferences will change as you get better. your skills open up more and more too, there will plenty of moments to savor....
Getting somebody to fall in love with kiting is always a good one.
BeamerBob - 7-5-2009 at 03:59 AM
I agree with most above. You have a great foundation quiver. You aren't ready for wheels yet so just enjoy static flying this summer and into the
fall. Then your mind might wander to traction activities.
When I was in your shoes, my next two kites were an HQ Crossfire 5m and a Flexifoil Blade IV 6.5. Both are extremely fun kites in winds that are
right for you. You can fly in winds like you had yesterday and they are graceful but still making more power than you are currently accustomed to.
You can take them out in higher winds months down the road when you have more experience and start to jump a little. You don't have to go extreme
with the jumping. It is fun even a foot or two off the ground and you control that by which kite you get out regarding the wind speed and how you
maneuver the kite. That size Blade will lift you easily starting at about 10 mph, and you can go 15 feet off the ground with a 15mph wind. The
crossfire shifts that up to 13 and then put it in the bag above 20.
DonaldLL - 7-5-2009 at 01:21 PM
OK... this is good stuff furbowski/Beamerbob. That's exactly what I was looking for is your experience in saying where you think that point of
diminishing returns is.
I know I am nowhere near ready for either the Crossfire or the Blade for that matter... not now not yet. But I do see that both in a 5m or 6.5 would
be a "next step' on the large end of the quiver and require a step or 2 up in experience.
Thanks guys... this makes sense to me.