What makes a good high wind kite? do they beef up the stitching , fabric strength, leading edge? or are we just talking size basically?? Do any of the Mfgs’ market their product as such or am I to look for at a specific type of foil……like a race kite, or specific kind of shape or AA? right now I’d be reaching for my 2m pepper for 30ish type winds…..would like to try some static or at least launching FB when that seems to big to break out. What would you consider next?

size of project area. its acceleration and low drag is its feature. so size is the key.

material/make all same.

the rate of shock load is really the threshold limiting factor for material in kites. as wind speed increases shock loads zoom to material limitation in a blink and they break.

oh and there is some quality variation but for materials available all fairly close.

efficiency of design and pilot skill can stretch the limits

so im gonna look to pu a smaller 4 line foil.... that’s it for prerequisites??? there is no champion in this catagory??

If you are going to be in gusty, higher winds, a smaller NASA wing might be the ticket. Though they do take some getting used to, the NASA's do well in gusty winds, and will fly in less wind than a similar sized foil.(and are cheaper, too!)

Quote:

Originally posted by abkayak so im gonna look to pu a smaller 4 line foil.... that’s it for prerequisites??? there is no champion in this catagory??

Lower aspect ratio and / or large depower range is the key. That's about it. As far as champions go, I'd say the Ozone Access and HQ Apex are the most common (because they make a 3, 4, 5 meter depowerable). But there are others, like Gin and oh, look, I'm selling one. What a coinky-dink

As far as FBs go, lower A/R is again key and I loved the JOJO ET Instinct 2.5 m in high winds - which I why I kept it after selling off most of my FBs but there are other low A/R FBs that I'm sure are equally good.

Buying a quality kite is important for high winds. Like Phree' mentions the material has to be able to hold up. A cheap kite won't hold up long.

If you want something tame look at the Beamer, Viper, etc. If you want speed look at race kites.

I think I would take Arkay's 1.7m Sting out in just about any wind. Sweet little kite !

I use a 2.5m Profoil as my nuking wind kite. When the wind is too strong for it I choose to live to kite another day. Have to do that TOO much at NABX!

I like as much forgiveness in the kite as possible when the wind starts getting up. I've had my 4m Ozone Access up in 30 knots and it coped ok. But at those wind speeds, things happen FAST and your reflexes are gonna get tested. I think the 3m Method might be ok too - I"ve had mine in 25 knots with no dramas whatsoever and I've heard of some of the NZ guys flying in 40 knots with it. I think there's an even smaller Viron depower that should handle nukin winds. 30 knots is about my limit, however....self preservation kicks in after that....

Race kites in high wind can equal disaster. They are lightning quick! Once you get in higher winds,you an generate plenty of power w/ a lower aspect kite. I have used stings and rages in the past. Currently, I will break out a PKD Buster soulfly. But ,the most important thing is ,make sure it's a kite that you trust and know.

I just reread your post. Are you looking at only FBs? There is not much futher down to go then a 2m pepper. If that kite is overpowering then anything you drop to is going to make up in speed and unpredictability what it lacks in power.

I am not trying to pitch my kite but I have found that what I most appreciate about depower is its ability to smooth things out with a push of the bar in stong winds. A 4m Access is equvilanet to a 1.6 - 2.4 FB depending upon how its trimmed so it would be both a step down and step up from your pepper. But the key thing is, and this is the key, it will let you decide based on how and when you trim it.

I can see the benefit of FBs in low wind and the fun of static flying and jumping them, but if you are in motion I think you will benefit from a small depowerable which is still larger and slower then your 2m pepper but less powerful per meter. Buggy guys seem to really get along well with small kites in big winds but they scrub and deal with speed differently from boarders. I think DP is a big advantage to a boarder but clearly not as popular with the buggy folks for numerous, valid reasons.

If you are just flying it static, take your pick of a super small FB or a small (4-5m) DP.

I second the opinion of others to avoid a racekite for high wind enjoyment - unless speed buggy is really your thing.

There was a huge difference between my 2.5 JOJO RM+ and my 2.5 JOJO Insinct. Same size, same company, similar bridling but the RM+ had a much higher A/R and you really needed to stay on it in conditions the Instinct was simply a joy to fly. I didn't keep it that long and don't regret selling it.

I'm obviously a little bit of a fan of Peter Lynn Arcs for high winds. They take the abuse, super smooth, tons of depow.

Just sayin.

This:

http://www.flexifoil.com/uk/products/stormchaser.cfm

designed for riding in 35kts+

I have a 2.5 bullet that I love in high winds, lots of power, low lift. If its nukin I break out the 1.7 sting past that I watch

Agreed Mainekite. I bought my Bullet to give to my nephew as a surprise gift but alas, there is no way I can part with it. I'm looking for a gently used 3M and just missed one the other day. Anyway, I've said this on here before, when the winds are up my 2.5 Bullet has no equal in power for it's size. The grin factor I get from this kite is unreal.

What makes a good high wind kite? To my knowledge there has only been one good high wind kite. 6m phantom.

Why? Stable; absorbs gusts, hardly ever collapses on you. Fast forward speed. LARGE turning radius for it's size, for a set amount of flyer input.

It still pulls alot in the 30+ winds we sometimes get on the dry lake beds. Too much for a beginner.

An idea for the ultimate high wind arc was discussed with Pete Lynn at nabx years ago. Arcs are known for their lack of low wind pull (for their size). So why not make a VERY inefficient arc for high winds? Imagine a largish kite, large turning radius, little pull. Perfect.

Once a replacement 6m Phantom 2 gets to me, I'll see how close it is to my ultimate kite.