I started kiting this year and I'm very comfortable flying the kite and riding the landboard. I fly Ozone Flow 3.0 and 5.0 fixed bridle kites with a bar (I also have handles but like bar better). Getting ready for snowkiting and my question is - do I also want to buy a depower kite? Maybe an Ozone Frenzy type kite (I really like Ozone kites!). I realize depower is better for varying wind conditions, better handling wind gusts and obviously better for jumps.

Jumps. Mmmmm....jumping. Yummy. I want to jump. Nothing too crazy. Just a few jumps here and there. No twists, flips or updside down kick things. Just maybe a little jump when I turn to go in opposite direction.

Does anyone out there do any jumping with fixed bridle kites? Do i really need to get a depower if I'm just doing "little" jumps? Would I be wasting my money buying depower just to do a little jump? I'm not planning on jumping with landboard at beach. Only going to try some jumps when snowkiting (with skis) so the landing won't hurt as much on a wipe out.

Thanks for your input!!!

I flew fixed bridle kites for 3 years before moving to depowers and though I've kept many of my FBs, I'm never going back (except in low wind or just fun, field flying).

IMO, depowers make jumping (even little, skippy jumps) way easier. I also feel a lot safer flying depowers (both when a gust comes and in overall terms of how kite killers work (if used) compared to the safety systems on modern depowerables). Once you get the hang of it, and it doesn't take long, I think you'll find there are far more pros then cons to depowers if boarding or skiing.

After flying depowers now for 3 years, I wish I moved over a lot sooner. I improved my riding and jumping more in my first year on depowerables then I did on my previous 3 with FBs.

The only things I now find easier with FBs then depowerables is riding toe-side and riding in the lowest of winds.

When the winds are cranking, I feel way safer on a depowerable and when the winds are perfect for the day, I just find depowerables so much more enjoyable.

Wow. thanks for fast reply. So if I'm pretty comfortable flying a fixed bridle - the change to a depower shouldn't be too much of a learning curve?

Any thoughts on what size depower? I'm weigh 200 pounds and probably will be in winds about 10 to 20 mph and on skis (and probably 3 to 5 inch of snow. Would that be maybe 9 meter depower? Too big?

At 200#s you'll want at least a 9, if not an 11-12.

I'm 145#s and my goto kite is my 10m for winds between 10 and 17. I can work the kite down to about 8 if its smooth and off the ocean and hold onto it to around 20 but by that point I'm doing a lot of skidding and it feels like I'd be launched (UK / Push Kiting style) if I redirect too fast. But you've got 60 pounds on me. My kids weigh about 60 pounds and when I'm lit on a kite and then start towing them, I fell at best powered and usually underpowered going upwind so I would think you would be best going a size up from me.

If you are looking for Ozone quality at half the price for a new kite look here http://www.live2kite.com/gin-kites-eskimo-iii-high-performan...

I fly the III series 10m (they are now on a V series, technically with the Yeti). The III series is rock solid, super high quality and with a large and friendly depower range and outstanding safety system.

Full disclosure... I'm biased to Gin.

B-roc is bang on.

I managed through the 1st 2 years on snow with 3, 4.5 and 7m fixed bridle kites but I wasn't progressing. I was by far the minority using FB.

I too feel safer on Depower .

If your winds are 10 to 20mph then I think starting on a 10m Frenzy should work ( 9 is just a bit small for 10? ). Nice size for learning to jump as well. Other kites to consider . Flysurfer Outlaw, Pulse I and II or Unity. If you ever plan on going to water then closed cell foils are worth the extra $. I like the closed cell even on land.

Like B-roc I still keep a large FB in the bag for super low winds but as soon as my depowers will fly I go to them.

NO, picking up depower is not that huge a deal. It takes a bit of thought but most folks take to it pretty fast.

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Does anyone out there do any jumping with fixed bridle kites?

The guys that I know that freestyle all started on fixed bridle kites. And are now all on depowers. I think in some circumstances, broken bones sort of caused the change!!!

If I'm inland, or it's gusty - then I will grab a depower. If I'm in smooth winds on the beach, then the fixed bridles are a little more fun and better performing.

If I was going to attempt some jumping, then depower is the safer option. Ozone Access/ HQ Apex if you want stability and ease of use, Ozone Frenzy / HQ Montana if you want more power/speed and lift.

Speaking of jumping with an Ozone Frenzy, try this.....

As someone who JUST switched over I can tell the difference is like cupping water/power in your hands, instead of holding back a wave.

FB is fun for getting nasty, but now it comes down to delicate swordplay..


BTW I love that video

you could probably even go bigger at 200lbs, but like the guys say, a 12 closed cell or 11/10 open cell should work. It will probably be pretty slim pickings (ie, very little speed or none at all) at the bottom end of that range in powder though.

Hey thanks for all the input!! I really appreciate it!! I think I will be all set in my quiver with a FB 3.0, FB 5.0 and then a depower in the 10 range. Full quiver and an empty bank account. I can live with that....

Any ideas on how to break the news to my wife??

"Honey...as you know, I'm just fine with the kites I have but my fellow kiters on the Power Kite Forum KEEP INSISTING that I buy a depower kite for safety reasons."

Curious how you folks "break the news" to your wives or husbands.....

If you are buying a 10, I'd sell your 5. There will be quite a bit of overlap and that may make your wife happier.

My wife does far less complaining when she sees me selling kites to fund new ones.

I agree 100% with B-Roc.
I flew my 4.5m and my 6m for about a year before switching to depower.
Depower not only gives you that awesome pull, but it also gives you the option of no pull when you need a rest.
After practicing for a while the jumps are even better and easier to control.

I pulled out my FB the other day and man-oh-man do I like my depower SOOOOO much more.
Smoother.
Safer.
All around better, imo.

Take the step up.

B-roc is right again.

I would sell the 5m to please the wife . A 10m depower will overlap it.

What you actually want is Large fixed bridle for low winds. Most depower kites need 8+mph of wind to fly. Without one you will have no good low wind option.

Telestrat, Windzup has a 10.5 Yeti (demo) for sale on this thread http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=19356 at a great price. I was flying my 6m Yeti the day you were at Nahant and I was towing my kids. Maybe your wife will be more forgiving if you show her how conscientious you are buying a kite when its marked down almost 50%. I mean, you almost half to buy kites when deals come along Its the only frugal thing to do :wink2:

Nothing wrong with Ozone at all, and I don't have experience with the Gin, but I always pack up with a smile on my face after a session with the HQ Montana. The M6 that is out now is truly brilliant. I agree that the 9.5m would be best for you. The 12m would go down a bit lower than teh 9.5 but be over powered more quickly than the 9.5. Good luck!

must. resist. the. D-powerside....

All this Depower talk is makin me twitch!:ticking:

No more kites this year for me. seriously, stop taunting me with all your Depower propaganda!

Just because wind was 14 gusting to 25 and the 2M buster was going from mellow to drag me acrost the field.. Betting a Depower would have been better and more fun:wee:.

SEE! Now look what you guys have done!:roll::singing:

Back to the mantra: "must. resist. the. D-powerside...."

Lamrith .... good luck with that! ...LOL

16 m arc beat um all hands down and huge top end :wee:

HAH!

It is a pointless fight, in the long run I know.

I am just hoping to buy my wallet some time to recover from buying 3 kites in my 1st month of flying :Ange09:

BUUUTT.. since I am already waist deep in quicksand..

What closed cell depower could fly in 3mph (once filled). Not buggy or pull anything, but at least be flyable static @3mph. Thinking probably an arc, maybe 12m? I am 6'4, 220#

Quote:

Originally posted by lamrith "must. resist. the. D-powerside...."

Haha GL

after feeling safe with so much power there is no way I'm going back.

Arcs are NOT the best kite for sub 8mph winds.

Flysurfers are the undisputed leader in the low wind game. 17m and larger. That is a LOT of money to put out just to fly a kite in such low winds.

For 3mph winds the most affordable way to go is an effeicient FB foil. My 10.8 is just coming to life at that speed. The boys on larger Vapors ( almost as expensive as Flysurfer ) and 14m Yak get going before me.

Van is asking 300 shipped for a well used 17m FS speed 1.5

there's deals out there, you just gotta find em