I just scored a "nearly new" [edit - Airush] Lift 16m (5 line C Kite) off eBay from a guy in eastern Canada. Might have paid just a wee bit more than I had hoped ($250+$50 shipping) but it's complete with bar, lines, bag and pump. Not a bad deal, was it? Regardless, it looks like I'm officially off to the water - better get building the plyboard!

You guys think I'll be okay lofting a 16 into the air? I will be taking at least one lesson from a local shop here before I go try things on my own.

What year is it?
be careful of those old LEIs.... and remember they barely have depowerabilty back then, it's an 05 or 04 i'm guessing?

Well worth it for the bar lines etc. though... but do be careful with it!

PS are you sure it's a naish lift? I've never heard of that kite before :D

It's not an airush lift is it?

Right you are. hehehe - shows how new the LEI world is to me. Edited the top post.

I had heard something about the older models - maybe from you actually. I hope it's okay, it's an 06 model. Sounds like a pretty aggressive kite but for our normal winds (15-25km/h) and my girth (about 170lbs) hopefully I'll make out okay. I'm either going to take a local course or head out to the coast and take a weekend course with Skypilot Kiteboarding. I promise you guys I won't hit the water without proper instruction first!

macboy, you've got the bug bad don't you. As soon as one kite hits your doorstep you've got the next one on order!

If only it were diagnosable and I could get a doctor's permission.....it'd make it easier on the wife I'm sure. I think I'm about done for a good while now though. Part of me knows kids are in my near future so I figure I better spend what I can now ; )

My wife summed it up for me. "Your hobby is having hobbies" Luckily she only retaliates by buying shoes.

youll be fine c kites are so much fun i flew a 05 north rhino 16m and im 180 pounds and it wasn't ultra aggressive but i was on the snow. hope you enjoy it and be safe.

06 model should be fine, Its 2003/4 models that worry me, and with the 5th line you shouldn't have too much to worry about! Kite control is the main thing you need to be aware of and i reckon you've got a pretty damn good grasp on that already with all your kites so you just need to know the limits of the kite! Good luck! Have fun

Can I ask the obvious? What's the deal with the 5th line? I hear some like it, some don't. I've seen kites listed for sale as "has 5th line but this can be removed" etc.

Hopefully asking the question doesn't make you think I'm in over my head - this is where I've learned most everything thus far so why stop now?

I can't imagine why anyone would want to drop the 5th line ? Maybe what they are trying to say is that it will fly fine as a 4 line if that is the only bar you have ? The 5th doesn't come into play as you are flying. In fact it should be just a little loose. Go to Ocean Rodeo and look at their 5th line upgrade manual for a better picture on how to make sure it's set right.

The fifth is there for when you let go + when you relaunch.

They have been making the Lift from 2002-07. That says a lot for how good a model it is. It is a lifty kite as the name suggests. My 9m is VERY fast ! The year that yours is made would help ? Generally I think if you are happy then you both got a good deal. Blimps are hard to sell so I'm sure he's happy. I'm trying to unload my 02 /03 9m five line and no one will pay $100 for kite bag and pump in perfect shape. :megan:

If you get out to the coast for lessons give a heads up and I'll try to meet up ! Another option is a camping trip to Nitinat on Vancouver Island. An awsome place to visit ! There are 2 folks there that do quality ( jet ski assisted ) lessons as well. Mary is a true Sweetheart !!! Skypilot gets booked up fast ! Weekends in particular.

I have had 7 lessons and could probably take you to getting up on the board status safely? Then you could go for just 1 paid lesson at Squamish ?

Wow. That would be huge of you. When does the season start out there? I'll be lucky to be on water anytime before June in Edmonton.

the 5th line is there for safety... when you get better on the water you'll not want as much safety as you get more comfortable with how the kite feels... i personally don't like 5th lines because when you do flips and rotations they can get tangled up, making them useless anyway... so yeah, i generally don't like any extra lines, it complicates things and that's why people remove them...

definitely a good idea to keep it on at first though :wink2:

Squamish works on thermals and so we don't usually get warm enough to count on them until June at least. We need it to be warmer in Whistler than on the coast to set them up. Over the winter we have English and Boundry bay but the wind is weather related and VERY unreliable. ( this makes it difficult for us to organize buggy races on B'bay as well ) .
I am just about to cut up my Lift to make a REV :o
If I do we can still work things out with the Speed ( or hopefully by then a Pulse :wink2: ) . Squamish is usually very windy. Your 16 wouldn't be much good there.


Thanks for pointing out why a fifth can be bad ! I hadn't thought about the next level. Hope I find one a pain someday !