OK Tridude, I took your advice and ordered a 7m Montana III.

Should be here early next week

I've got a 9.5m coming out of the same shipment, plus some stock. Can't wait.

You will really like it, Joe.

Sweet! Looking forward to hearing about it!

Even though I didn't fly this kite, being new to the traction side of things, I find myself having an attachment to this kite. When reading the writeup on it, I deliberated a long time about the 7 or the 9.5. With the large wind range of a depower, is there downside (other than price) of going with the larger sizes? It wouldn't bother me to give up the 27-34 mph wind range for a little more power in the low wind. I'm breaking new ground here and would need to get my buggy before this becomes a prime consideration, but I like to analyze for awhile before I make a purchase.

Only downside of de-power is the lack of light air capability compared to a lot of fixed bridle kites. Curiously HQ lists the low end of these as 4 mph but that is just not realistic, IMO. It's the weight of the bridle & pulleys, I believe. My 7.0 would start to fly at about 10 mph but was easy to stall untill you got it moving in its own wind. I'm looking forward to testing the low end of the 9.5 at the lowest AoA setting & will advise.

Also, being hooked in brings another level of responsability in managing a kite.

I'm old enough that such responsibility raises the hair on the back of my neck a little. I think back to the two times I've turned the handles loose in the buggy to save me from myself. I might be past the worst of that now that I've linked some turns. I'm already looking on the calendar for another opportunity to head towards Jekyll Island again.