Need a recommendation on what type of fixed bridle kite and size to buy for my light wind inland conditions.

1) Winds < 8mph (would like to be to landboard in 5-7).
2) Winds are often lumpy and have lots of holes.
3) Needs to be stable and not prone to collapse.
4) Don't want a lifty kite.
5) Weight = 218lbs.

I love my Bullet 4.5 but if it's under 8mph it's not worth flying and I really want to fly if possible. Had a Bullet 7 but wasn't quick enough through the window and couldn't seem to 'park it' in these winds.

What brand/size of kite has worked for you in these conditions.


Thanks.

I know it's not what you want to hear, but there's only a couple of options, either a large blade, 8.5-10.5, possibly an old 9m, or a large race kite, something in the 10+ range.

I'm 250lbs, even my 10m Combat only really goes down to a min of 5-6mph in the buggy before it's simply not worth it. Something in a 12-14m race kite would probably be perfect once you come to grips with the kite.

Unfortunately nothing listed above is even remotely good at gusty turbulent winds, but a good pilot can learn how to first set up the kite, then learn how to pilot it through the bumpy stuff without too much problems. There's also a trick to getting out of bad situations with a large kite in gusty winds. It involves some careful steering, even more well thought out brake input, some kite setup and a little luck.

Padding helps as well.

I'm with Pablo - I think a large Race Kite would be the way to go. I couldn’t believe how strong the 13m Century was in low winds.

Also, how about a huge NPW? Ashe likes his 15m - not sure how it does in lumpy winds...

Joe

Yup a larger race kite like a JoJo, Libra or a larger Blade IV. If you can find an older Quadrifoil XXXL Competition it would be nice as well for<10mph wind.

Scott

Darn...definitely not what I wanted to hear. Was hoping you guys would have recommended a Rage 6m or big Buster II - something a little less pricey and more manageable in the gusts.

Oh well...Thanks!

Well, the Buster II is a wicked kite and at $360 us complete for the 7m they're reasonably priced, but I'd expect you to end up with a wind range of like 7mph up to 20mph at the top end. The thing killing you is that extra couple mph of bottom end you're looking for.

The problem is that most stable kites have a thick chord and profile, butterballs don't cut through the wind that good, for really low wind performance, you need a really clean slippery kite. Aspect ratio plays a huge role as well, only the first 1/3 of the kite makes any power, the trailing 2/3 is there more for structure and stability. That's why beginner kites are so much lower aspect, race kites are up around 5:1 now for aspect ratio, all leading edge, almost no filler or fluffer. My 5m Combat has almost the same wingspan and leading edge area as my 7.5m Brooza, by the time you get up into the larger race kite sizes, there's really nothing that's got the same dimensions to compare with, the only one that will sort of hang with them is the large Blades.

What about a Peter Lynn Reactor 8.3? Same design objective as the Bullet and later Rage- less lift overhead and more pull down low in the window. Was out yesterday with BeamerBob on Tybee Island (GA) in some pretty light winds and pulled out my Reactor. It will fly in 5-6 mph. Good price point for a high end kite.

what about a pansh blaze 10.5 or 12.5. khooke likes his 12.5 from his review.

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only the first 1/3 of the kite makes any power, the trailing 2/3 is there more for structure and stability.

Always learn something from your posts...Thanks Pablo!

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What about a Peter Lynn Reactor 8.3

I actually had the 2.9. That little sucker was pretty powerful. I was actually thinking about the reactor yesterday. Might have to add that one to my list. How's the turning on the 8.3?

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what about a pansh blaze 10.5 or 12.5. khooke likes his 12.5 from his review.

I forgot about the blaze...Can't go wrong with the price. I might be scared with a kite that size :o

Another problem with this park is that it will be blowing from 3-7mph and then a gust will come out of nowhere that will be 11 or 12mph.

Trying to find the kite that will get you going on the board but not yanked off at the same time when the occasional gust comes...not that easy!

Thanks again for all the replies and suggestions!

The PL Reactor 8.3 will turn just about on a tip, but more slowly of course due to it size. It's light weight helps the low end performance. The 8.3 Reactor sail is lighter than my 7.7 m Crossfire, for example.