Hey gang,... Some of you may have followed this, but I bought cheddarhead's 12.5m Montana 5 in need of repair, and am really looking forward to getting him up and running... I have plans for the tuning/repair and if I can't get it to work, I'll send it out to get it tuned... But that's not what I'm here to discuss.

I know that frequently in the world of depower, typically guys start out with a 7-10m in the foil arena, but I got the 12.5m because all things considered, Atlanta wind sucks... Usually sub 10mph,... And I'm really not sure the 7-10m size would get off the ground here... but looking at the size of him, I guess I'm nervous to strap it on and give it a go.

Also, I wanted something I would continue to be happy with performance-wise, so Montana seemed like a good idea.

So given that I can get him up and running... Am I in over my head? Or will this puppy be easy to tame?

I'd be more nervous of the smaller sizes. Large kites never bother me. Large kites, less wind.

Dont let the size intimidate you. I think you are just psyching yourself out. I can only imagine you will start out flying it in lower winds, give the power lines a couple tugs, it will launch, move it around a bit and you'll think to yourself "well, that was easy!" If your nervous at first, hover that free hand over that top-hat safety....at least until you realize there is nothing to fear. :D

Sensible winds, sensible conditions, and listen to the little voice.

Fixed bridle kites are more efficient and generate more power for a given size than their depower equivalents.

If you are flying an 8.6M fixed bridle, the jump to a 12.5 depower isn't going to be as drastic as just looking at the numbers would lead you to think.

ATB,
Sam

P.S. You might want to read some of Bob and Wexler's threads on the Montanas.

ATB,
Sam

Agree with above. No more kit than your reactor 8.6 and remember, the Montana has a throttle and gearbox.

conditions selection ...know before you go

I second guess every purchase I make. With my wind, I find that choosing manageable conditions is tough. My light wind is just enough to be frustrating or not usable. My next range of usable wind varies between 8-12 mph. The problem on my 8-12 days is they are usually accompanied with gusts and lulls 5-10 mph either direction. I've always used bladerunners advice of keeping the kite away from zenith, as much as possible, so if a gust hits you will go sideways instead of up which I think is particularly important in inconsistent wind. The Venom was very forgiving but when a decent gust hit, I knew it. Also, do you hook in with your 8.6 RII, or do you usually fly off handles. Just curious, the toxic is a handful flown off handles but I can't seem to find the right conditions to fly it hooked in.

That kite will be fine unless you are gusting to mid to upper teens. It's wind range will be similar to your 8.6. Pulling that tophat will close things down instantly too if you feel like things are going wrong.

On hooking in with the 8.6 you need a somewhat steady wind so you aren't working to keep it in the air. If moving with it you will almost certainly need to hook in unless the winds are at bottom of range. I've flown them in hands no problem and other times it would've been impossible.

fill it quick...dont pull the top hat

Thanks for all the advice gang! It's reassuring to hear its so similar to a kite I already have...

For he record, I don't usually hook in with my 8.6m RII because the wind range it works in (the low end) is usually full of lulls. My harness is a QR snap shackle set up, and dealing with the lulls with that set up can be a PITA.

Plus I've gotten a little fat for my harness

Quote:

Plus I've gotten a little fat for my harness

That's why I got the ozone harness. I was planning ahead for my fat and skinny cycles. :D

Has anyone modified their Divine harness to account for fatness... ie... Bigger-ing the straps?

Quote: Originally posted by soliver

Has anyone modified their Divine harness to account for fatness... ie... Bigger-ing the straps?

Find a climb shop that does repair on harnesses and have them replace the adjustment straps on the harness with longer ones. Just tacking onto the existing straps would made things a pain with feeding straps through the adjustment buckles.

ATB,
Sam