I purchased both a 1.5M Beamer and a 3M Hornet last spring. I'm not counting the 1.5 as I purchased that for my son . I spent every windy day I could over the summer flying the Hornet. After 12 -15 hours of flying, I'm starting to get bored and am now looking for something stronger. The Hornet is a great kite for scudding, but I'm looking for something with a bit more lift. I'd like to eventually get a board or skates to compliment the kite and take me to the next level. I've been leaning towards the Peter Lynn Twister, but I'm looking for advice from you guys.

A few helpful things to know. I only weigh in at about 125 (lbs), but on the other hand, our average wind here is usually less than 10mph. Usually 6-8. I found it quite difficult to fly the Hornet in anything less than 10. I'm not looking to soar 30 feet in the air and break both my legs (or even one), but as I gain confidence, I'd certainly like to start jumping.

Recommendations?

imo..doesn’t matter what you get they are all good..twisters great..some have more lift or pull or better graphics..but all of them need a good home..just keep going up in sizes..if your staying fb any 5/6m will be fine..you have a son who is flying your going to need lots of kites so just stock up..go used you should probably buy 2 anyway

So when you say they are all good, are you saying that I could use ANY kite as long as it's a larger size? So I could get a 6M Hornet or Reactor and jump with it?

I currently have my eye on the Twister IV (2014 model). I've heard that it handles better than the previous year's model. But you are telling me used is just as good?

jadog- every yr kites have minor improvements so yes the new twister might be better than last yrs (dont know have not flown them) but last yrs or used will save you a couple hundred bucks. As for a lifty kite- the reactor is listed as non lifty but if you send it you will go up, just like any kite. I think you move up to any "higher" level kite in the 5-6 meter and you will be able to jump in the right winds. Problem is in low winds 6-8, nothing is really going to lift you very well just not enough wind.

2 cents: Agree with abkayak about 5/6m fb... if you are sure you want to jump with a board, on handles. You may want to consider trying depower, as you can put a little bit bigger sail over your head, given the same wind (bigger is floatier). And instead of your arms bearing the weight of you and board, your harness absorbs this load, allowing you to focus on kite handling. Given your weight, and assuming 10-15 mph winds, you would probably be looking at something like 6-8m, or 8-10m Peter Lynn twinskin arc.
If you do consider the step to depower, is there anyone in your area that could introduce you to flying depower? That would really shorten the learning curve, and also allow you to try before you buy.

Alright, nothing but lint in my pocket now.

Thanks for the replies. I wouldn't mind getting into depower, but as I mentioned in my first post, I average with 6-10mph winds. I know that Depower requires the higher winds and I may only be able to use it a hand full of times each year.

I have a friend who has a few depower kites that I could train with and was considering it...but again, I wouldn't have all that many times to fly it.

For now, I think I'm going to stick with the fixed bridle kites.

if your wind speed is on avg under 10 you should move...where is that anyway? im not gonna visit for sure

LOL. I'm in Indiana.

I'm in indy. Your welcome to try mine out.

I am not clear on if you want this kite to ride with or just to fly in sub 10mph winds ?

As kites get bigger they get slower. We go to large kites as engines creating " apparent winds " with our motion. Keeping a large foil flying static in low winds is actually harder than with smaller kites.

If jumping is your goal you will want a lifty kite like Blade or Twister. Here is the catch. General advice says that you want a minimum of 5m canopy to jump. I am small as well but don't choose to jump with that small a kite. Better to get something in the 6.5 range .

Jumping in less than 10mph winds is near impossible no matter the kite.

Thanks for all the advice, guys! Much appreciated.

Jadog,
I disagree that depower requires higher wind. A depower foil kite in the fully powered position will create as much if not more lift and pull than a similarly sized fixed bridal. This may be true of depower LEI (Leading Edge Inflatables) as they have more weight relative to their canopy size. The moral of the story here is that a depower kite will be able to be used over a wider wind range than a similarly sized FB. With an FB kite you will have more control over the attitude of the kite (i.e.direction) and the ability to reverse the kite in the air. A depower will allow you to fly with one hand and give you more control over the lift and power generated by the kite. Both have their benefits and shortcomings and are really just a matter of preference.

Here's a video talking about the Voltage and Twister as it relates to jumping, wind ranges, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIcCnK0-ifI

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