started kiting this fall and progressed to skiing this winter on a 4M HQ Scout.
Looking into a 8m HQ Neo 2 for making thr move to water this summer
Just wondering if the 8M is a good size to start

i'm 180, athletic but have never tried on the water
thanks to anyone who takes the time

I am about your weight and I mostly use the 8m and 11m Neo sizes on water. When the winds pass 20 mph I can use the 8m.

Smooth winds,

Chris

to learn should i start with the 11M?

Yeah I think the 11m will be more versatile for you unless you are always in high winds. The Neo will be good on snow too. To move to water you will want to take lessons and you will get a lot of insight there. Don't be surprised if your instructor does not know the Neo or anything beyond LEI's (leading edge inflatables), but the dynamics are translatable. Others here with time on both types will be able to amplify more.

Hey

What are your average wind speeds.
I'm in Ontario, and I would say most of the spring and summer winds are less than 20 mph (or roughly 32 kmh.)
It's really frustrating trying to learn way under powered.
You'll probably end up buying both sizes if you like the kite.
I don't use the Neo, but my most used kite is my 14 meter Contra.(An inflatable) and it's good from 20 km/h to 35.

John

I would get an L.E.I for the water especially to learn on. That's just me...

The 11m would be a better fit. With the closed cells you lose a little of the 'power' that you would think the larger kite would have compared to an open cell like the Scout.

Plus you have to get enough oomph to get you out of the water and planing. The 8m would limit you to much windier days.

You have to accept that you will need more than one kite for all winds. I'm sure that isn't big news.

I agree that the 11 is best if you can only buy 1 kite.

You are always very hard on your 1st kites. You can buy 2 used kites for the price of one new Neo ?

2 quality used kites will serve you MUCH better than a single new foil. You CAN use LEI's on land so don't rule them out.

P.S. Best bet is to take a lesson and talk to the locals about what they use before throwing money !

thanks for all the advice so far!

but a 11M Neo would work to learn? or if buying used (seems like the best option) what size should i be looking at? I am going to try and learn without a lesson( i know i know) but plan on a lesson after i've been out a few times. 2-3 hour drive for me to get a lesson.

Hi

Yes you could learn on an 11 meter.
Just use the kite in the suggested wind range, start out about half or 2/3s. Likely the lower end will just frustrate you and the top end will scare you. Manufacturers exaggerate the low end a bit.
If you buy an inflatable used check suggested wind ranges and pick the size for your conditions.
Most of my experience is with inflatables and if used in the suggested wind range all the safeties will work fine. (bow and sle,s).

John

Trying to tell you what 2 kites will work best is tougher than telling you the 11 is a good size for a single Neo. The best kite to learn on is one that is in it's rated wind range.

So ..... a go to size will probably be between 10 - 12 depending on your typical winds. for high winds a 7 - 9 . for low 14-17 ????

You will probably find you get the most use out of one size. then will want one larger and one smaller for the extremes. You will probably wear out the mid size kite faster than the other so will upgrade it to the " right kite" after you have figured things out. Getting a long throw bar with at least one of those kites will make buying other kites cheaper down the road because you can buy kite only.

If you can't get a lesson get a good lesson DVD and watch it until you know every word.

:bigok:

thanks again!
i'm going to get the 11M and a board for newbies and give at a shot
look for some vids and pics in June!