Hi all! I've only recently been bitten by this kite bug, but it seems I've got a pretty scorching case of kite fever.
Here's my dilemma. I want a versatile 4 line traction/power kite that I can enjoy now and grow into. I'm about 330lbs(yep a really big guy) fairly athletic, and live amongst mostly light winds. I'm considering the Peter Lynn TwisterIIR 5.6 and have been advised to consider the 4.1m as well. Other kites being considered are the Peter Lynn Hornet and HQ Beamer, both in the 5m size.

I currently own a Prism Quantum and an HQ Symphony 2.2 which I bought an upgraded line set for so I could fly it in
winds 20mph+ as I do go to places with those winds sometimes. (this is when the bug really sunk its teeth in me
Haha).
Any advise will be appreciated!
JB

Assuming you will be flying static, I wouldn't go higher than a 4 meter kite to start with. Weight has very little to do with it, only if you are getting lofted into the air, which hopefully you will not as a beginner. Heavy or not, if the kite is big for the conditions it's going to pull your arms so much flying won't be fun. Once you start buggying or boarding, then you'll need bigger kites.

For now, any of the ones you listed should be fine, I would just move down a size. You won't outgrow a kite because it's small, you'll just use it in higher winds as your skills grow. Whoever told you to think about the 4.1 meter was right in my opinion.

If you've never actually flown a powerkite, you will be surprised at the amount of pull they will generate. By comparison, a symphony is a kid's kite that isn't going to generate much pull even in 20 mph wind. I'm not trying to poo-poo your experience, just trying to stop you from thinking that you need to buy a big kite based on your experience with a symphony. It's a totally different design.

Have you thought about what you want out of this next kite betond flying in your low winds and being able to grow ?

The 5.6 Twister is a good choice for lift but a pretty advanced kite to control. Better choice for jumping and ATB. The Beamer is a much more forgiving kite. Not as fast or lifty but still serves it up safely. It is best suited to buggy if speed is not your #1 goal.

5m - ish will be a good next step if you are master of your 2.2 and want it for lower winds.

Thank you for the responses and insights. I don't have visions of buggying or boarding in the near future but land boarding is of interest down the road.

That said, I do dream of taking some assisted jumps as I get better with this kite.

For the immediate future, I will be flying static and hope to have a kite that can really make me move (I know the Symphony is childs play comparatively but in 30mph wind it made me move my feet...and I liked it).

The reason I liked the idea of the Twister II is that it has a bit higher AR so was hoping for more challenging flying/faster turns etc. I also liked the idea of the added lifting power since I would like to get my big self off the ground (on my terms) eventually. Do you think the 4.1m could still do that considering my size?

Twister IIR 4.1 will have more than enough pull if flown in it's proper wind range. I'll suggest another avenue, especially if you want a higher AR kite. Screamin' hot deals right now on the PL Viper S line. I recently got a 3.9 and wow is all I can say. It's so responsive yet has a ton of power. In any case if you really do have the kite bug a Viper S should be considered either as a first or second kite for sure! Lastly, I have a Twister 5.6 IIR, but I would not recommend this to anyone as a first kite. It can be dangerous in the hands of a beginner... :roll:

Thanks AnnieO, based on what I'm hearing, I'm leaning toward the 4.1m Twister IIR. Assuming that it would be a good and yet challenging (more so than Beamer or Hornet II) one that could still lift for some small jumps when I get to that point. My concern toward any of these kites is that I realize very quickly after getting it, that I should have got a bigger kite because maybe I love to jump. Being 330lbs, I obviously have a tendancy to think I need to go bigger than what most feel they need (hence my initial focus on the 5m). Ahhh decisions decisiins...wish I could demo these like I do tennis rackets! Haha....that or an unlimited kite budget perhaps :P

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In my opinion even a 4m is too big of a jump from a kids kite. My brother in-law is about the same size as you and a 2.8m SKD lofted him, he hasn’t flown since. I think you should get more experience on a real power kite 2.5m to 3m before going bigger and before attempting jumps! I cringe when I hear of someone with limited experience wanting to try jumping with FB’s. know this, as soon as you leave the ground the kite will travel with the wind and most if not all your lift goes away, well how high are you with no more lift? I think for someone wanting to get into jumping with FB’s (fixed bridled kite) should climb to the top of a 8’ step ladder and jump (with no kite) if you’re not willing or have the physical conditioning to do that then you shouldn’t attempt kite jumping. Sorry to be a downer but there is one thing I learned and that is these kites have a strange way of building your confidence quickly and then spanking you. To the more experienced flyers please correct me if I’m wrong. + 1 on the Viper S but a 2.6m fly a real power kite first. If you are going to do the power kite thing you will get more kites and move into larger kites as you gain experience. Having more kites is safer anyway, you won’t be as tempted to put the wrong kite up in the wrong wind.

You raise some excellent points and I'm grateful. In regard to premature jumping, Im quite sure I won't be attempting anything of the sorts beforr I feel that I've developed the appropriate skill set. I'm curious now about the PL Viper S. Based only on the brief marketing blurb on the website, it seems the Viper is focused on the buggy pilot. How would it compare to the TwisterII or others I've mentioned? Thanks again for all the input!

Yep, I tend to agree with MDK. Don't sweat the details at this point. If you buy a Twister/Viper/Method/Rage/Core you'll have a good kite. A 4m (or even a 3m will certainly challenge you. Light winds for a start - you'll soon realize how much power these things can have. Learn to fly it blindfolded, learn your local conditions - some days maybe really smooth and great to fly in, other days will be a war zone!! (gusty, punchy horrid winds!!) Put 'jumping' on the back burner just for now until you build a bit of skill and knowledge.

Then you can think about jumping with your next kite.... (yeah, sorry, you'll end up with several kites....there's no help for that!!)

Point taken. Hahaha...yes, its abundantly obvious that I will soon be the owner of many kites! For some reason Im still leaning toward that Twister but at the 4.1m size. I have about 6 weeks to decide as Im recovering from shoulder surgery currently (no it was not kite related haha). So, on a loosely related note, does anyone know if there are ready to ride landboards strong enough to handle a moose like me?

The viper is a great buggy engine but it is also being closed out so you should be able to find a great discount and save money for your next kite. I believe the Viper will have less lift than the Twister, I havnt flown a twister but I have full set of Vipers and there is nothing less about them, plenty challenging for a beginner. 4.1m Twister may put you somewhere you don’t want to be, keep this in mind, the kite will make some decisions for you whether you like it or not. Please don’t use the 2.2 symphony as a measuring point, the 2.6 Viper and your 2.2 are worlds apart. I fly my 2.6 in 7mph and can scud 10-15 feet, it will get your feet moving! My 2.6 took me to 35 mph in a buggy, about ripped my arms off. Here is a link to the photo. https://picasaweb.google.com/111813139826617902871/2012NABX#...

JG- for a mtn board for big boys check out a trampa 17ply you wont hurt it and would work for you, axles could be an issue but i think you would be fine

If you look at everyones kites posted in there signature line everyone has a 2m or less kite. A 4.1Meter kite will lift then drop you. Get a 2.5-3 meter kite and fly it, scud with it and learn with it. Then get a larger kite to jump with. Everyone keeps that smaller kite and uses them. Where are you located?