I am getting so bored with low wind days here (getting 4-9mph winds). My 8m Crossfire ii will fly and pull but I am looking for more excitement. Any recommendations??? (I am 185 lbs)

theres a 10.5m blade3 for sale on the forum right now, isnt there?? other than that youre looking at a huge race kite

Wasnt sure. On sale now I see alot of huge last gen Flysurfer kites , some Peter Lynn Arcs and a couple biiig blades. Was looking for someone to jump up and say "Oh man, I have a friggin blast on my xxx - check out the vid!" or something.

You have most of the quality toys, are you strongly recommending the blade?

Mac Para Bego 600 is a sweet low winder if you can find one.................forum member second wind may have one................................and its rainy season at his location so he may/might sell............................:duh::duh:

I am not sure I understand your question. Do you want to fly static in 4 to 8 mph winds? Or do you mean you want a kite that you will not have to be static?
S

I would like a kite to fly static. Scudding, jumping, gliding general fun!

arcs are ok in low winds, but you need a big one! My 15m phantom will go up in 5 mph, but you cant really do anything (boarding, jumping scudding) most times its just a fight to keep it up... and for the hassle of a low wind setup with the arc (friggin bowties ), its better to nab a big foil... that big 10.5 blade calls to me in my sleep... only a few weeks till some b-day monies come rolling in... hoping i can snag it...

But yeah, the summer winds, or lack there of, are killing me too

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Originally posted by Fastrak are you strongly recommending the blade?

Not sure if this question was directed towards me, or not.... In reference to the 10.5 Blade.... never flown one, also, it has the depower mod, which I am not sure about. Its going to most likely lose some of its low-end performance.

in the winds that you are describing, almost nothing is going to fit the bill that you are trying to fill.... If you ask me.

Even with my biggest kites, 9mph is still just cruising fun. Theres really not enough wind (in my experience) for jumping until you get into the teens 15 and up.... otherwise there just isnt enough air going over the kite to get good jumps in....

You can certainly manipulate the kite to get some good pop, but lift and float just arent there for me until i get winds around 15mph (i weigh about 190)

Back to the blade question.... it seems that huge is what you are looking for, and this is pretty huge... Though a gust could wreck your day if it caught you wrong. kiites like the blade can be a handful, and have injured many a newcomer.... so no, i wouldnt recommend it to you unless you had total confidence in your ability to handle it, and treat it with respect

...paradoxically, it seems to be the only thing out there that *might* do what you want to do

Low wind means a BIG kite.

Big kites fly and turn slower. Slower yet in lower wind.

I think you are hoping to get more than is possible from low wind.

For static flying in low wind I find a 3m is almost more fun than a big bruiser. You have to fly the heck out of a 3m but it is a lot more entertaining.

I would suggest you don't go bigger than a 10m for static. The larger kites work as engines. Creating there own power as you get moving.

I doubt that 12.5 Warrior you are looking at will fil the bill. It will nedd more wind than that. All the bridle and such mean it needs a bit of wind. Same with most depowers, including arcs. SA is the acception.

I'd opt for a frisbee or boomerang adding the comment that there is a BIG difference between a 4mph wind and 9mph wind and an even bigger difference between low inland winds which tend to be dirty with heavy lulls and low winds at the beach. One can get going in a 4mph constant beach wind working the kite aggressively but 4mph in land wind likely means there are regular periods when the winds aren't blowing at all. A big, high A/R race kite is what you need but depending upon your wind quality, that may leave you standing still too or going from overpowered to collapsed canopy over and over again.

Thanks for the input. Short answer == find a different toy for poor wind days.

i prefer golfing on lighter wind days....

I've been looking for other kites and wind/air related activities for lower wind. When the wind's too low for decent pull, I either break out the stunt kite or work on fine control with my foil.

Maybe look for an ultralight stunt kite for those times when you still want to fly but nothing else will stay in the air. Just don't crash it!

Quote:

Originally posted by ThePixelGuru I've been looking for other kites and wind/air related activities for lower wind. When the wind's too low for decent pull, I either break out the stunt kite or work on fine control with my foil. Maybe look for an ultralight stunt kite for those times when you still want to fly but nothing else will stay in the air. Just don't crash it!

REV's are the way to go for fun static flying in those winds.

Flying a Rev really improves your over all skills.

My favorite zero-low wind toy: Blue Moon Kites 61/49

_____

More info at http://www.bluemoonkites.com/6149.htm
ATB,
Sam

Quote:

Originally posted by Bladerunner Low wind means a BIG kite. Big kites fly and turn slower. Slower yet in lower wind. I think you are hoping to get more than is possible from low wind. For static flying in low wind I find a 3m is almost more fun than a big bruiser. You have to fly the heck out of a 3m but it is a lot more entertaining.

agreed completely. 3 metre Buster keeps me really happy even in lowish winds.

+1 for 3m I was out last weekend in 4-5 with my cult 3.5 and managed to do a deadmans turn on foot. I have never even tried that in the buggy. Also got the kite to spin while level to the ground with slack lines like you would a stunt kite. Went home satisfied and frustrated all at the same time.

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Originally posted by WIllardTheGrey Went home satisfied and frustrated all at the same time.

That says it !!!

I can't tell you how many times I have come home with that feeling.:ticking:

Blade 10.5 or a Quadrifoil XXXL will fit the bill. Or maybe a 7 meter Blade would work for ya as well.


Here I am flying with a XXXL in quite light wind. Note the almost lack of white caps.

-Scott

SA2 19!. then go fly on a hill side and send yourself on a nice glide down the hill... did that a few months ago in some sub 10mph wind and it was awesome.:wee::wee::wee::wee::wee:

bigsteve


video please!!! THAT sounds like a blast.

Thanks for thinking of me Tridude

I sold all the Begos - however, I will be putting my 14m Outlaw up for sale soon. Just never seem to use it.

The winds here are either good (15mph and up) or not really worth it.

Joe

Quote:

Originally posted by tridude Mac Para Bego 600 is a sweet low winder if you can find one.................forum member second wind may have one................................and its rainy season at his location so he may/might sell............................:duh::duh:

Quadrifoil XXL 7m Pro (Polyestr Rip Stop) flew last in 3mph, and was still pulling me forward.