Ok.

I got bitten by the bug in OBX 2 years ago and I'm now thinking of a first "real" kite. I have a small HQ Symphony 1.8 that I bought to play with. It's a lot of fun and in high winds is a workout. I love flying it.

I'm 210 lbs, and in good condition. I'm thinking of going with a 5M kite but in reading some posts it seems the 3M beamer is a good choice. Because I 'm heavier, can I go up safely? I will eventually board or buggy but I really just love flying the things.


Thanks

Jack

go with the 5m you'll get more growth with it. the fact you have time on 1.8 is solid start .. 200 + club allows you to hold a little more kite.

master the kite , progress to a harness and strop line as confidence and BALANCE arrives.. that way you maximize all of the 5m.

PRACTICE BALANCING BOARD SPORTS FOR ATB IF YOU CHOOSE

I went from a 2-line about the same size as yours to a 4m 4-line and it was a big jump. Remember that 2-line kites are sized by span and 4-line are sized by area. Your Symphony is just about 1m sq. in area so going all the way to 5m is doable but just use caution. Try to fly in 8 mph at first and certainly no more that 10 mph. Later with practice and experience you can fly it up to 20 mph if you put the energy to work in a buggy or something.

Remember, the larger the kite, the smaller the practical usable wind range.

I was looking at a couple used kites on here. I'd rather go that route and help someone upgrade. There is an Apex 5m in the for sale section I'm looking at. Possible good choice from what I'm reading about them.

By the way, this smiley cracks me up...:wee:

Welcome to the forum! Sounds like you have a plan, and just reading the good advice here is a great way to start your addiction! Your location, (too close to DC) sounds like you could be in a position to attend either JIBE in GA, or Wildwood in NJ, on the weekend of 5/8, 5/9. If you can attend either of these events you are likely to meet others with your verysame addiction that will be willing to share their experience, and possibly their equipment to try out, too! I plan on travelling from upstate NY to attend the Wildwood event, to try the coastal winds and learn as much as I can! B57.

Thanks for the welcome!

After reading a bit, I have come to the conclusion that I have a death wish.:wee:

I really want a big kite. Oh yes, I do.

Guess that will have to wait. I'll give a 5m a lot of consideration.

The 5m Apex is a DEPOWER kite !

Depower kites don't put out as much power as the same sized fixed bridle + the depower allows you to tune it down even further.

Don't worry about the Apex being too big. It will be perfect and actually seem too small as your skills grow. Becoming your high wind kite later on. This would be a very good choice !:wee:

Quote:

Originally posted by Bladerunner Depower kites don't put out as much power as the same sized fixed bridle

HIJACK!

Is this really true? I always thought that depower kites don't have as good low end because they are heavier with more complex bridles, pulley's, etc, but wouldn't a fully powered (trim out, bar in) depower kite have about the same power as an equivilent 5m fixed bridle kite?

END HIJACK!

What winds do you want to fly in. And do you think you'll be flying mostly static with this kite or quickly moving to a landboard or buggy?

Don't forget that you'll need to be harnessed in to fly a depower kite.

I'd say that a 3-5m kite should be good depending on the winds you want to be out in and what you want to do with your kite.

I like static flight and the buggy appeals to me. Maybe landboarding.

The 2 ways that are most popular using handles are static flying and buggies.

Depower kites are great but you don't get the full advantage of that unless you are moving. Sounds like handles may be a better choice for you ?

The reason I would suggest you pick a 3m for your next kite is that it will then be usefull down the road as your high wind kite. A 4m won't serve that purpose later and it will be harder to re-sell. A 5m is a BIG kite ! It is often the most used size in peoples bags but it is a big step up ?

First kiteNH you are correct for the most part A 5M fixed and a 5M depower have about the same power.
The depower loses a bit on the low end as its is heavier and has more bridal hanging out in the wind making drag. It does however gain on the top end. Super low wind depower kites are usually lighter material IE Flysurfer silver arrow.

A depower does give an advantage over a fixed bridal weather your standing or riding. Its depower! Its easier to handle gusts with a depower. Your kite now has a bigger range. With one depower kite you can cover the range of maybe 3 fixed bridal kites.

You will have to use a harness with a depower and most if not all are on a bar. We have buggiers here on depower with a bar and they have no problem. The one thing i can recommend though is any kite with a bar has a safety system, IE a way to kil the power of the kite if you get in trouble, These will vary from kite to kite. Always practice using the safety, you want to have it down so when the sh*t hits the fan its second nature.

IMO depower is the way to go. Bigger range, easier to manage gusts, harness takes the strain off the arms, bar is easy to use, good safety systems, and can fly with one hand.

One other point i want to make, The difference between a 3m and 4m is minimal. Istarted with an airush 3M two line on a bar. I was bored of that kite in a week. I flew at NJ And DE beaches IM 180# Most of the time the winds were never over 10-12. Once you can fly it its a bore. Not really enuff to do anything with it. I would have much rather had the 4M Just for the little bit of extra.

If your someplace with good wind alot of the time 15+ the 3M would be the way to go. But heck i was at the beach and wind was sub 10 a good part of the time.

Using the kite as a high wind machine? In my experences any small kite is a handfull in high winds. It zips all over the sky, most arnt a depower, so its constantly yanking on you arms. What you though would be a fun day quickly becomes tiring and not worth it. Die hards my disagree with me but this has just been my experence.

The range of a beamer 3M 4 to 31, range of a 4M 4 to 27, thats only a difference of 4 on top. Saying you cant use a 4M in high winds is BS. If your brave enuff to go out in 25+ on either one of these kites you have bigger cojones then me.

Just scored a Beamer II 3.2 for 89.00!:wee:

I figure I can just leave that one in the trunk of the car and fly whenever I want/can. I have a trunk gun, now I have a trunk kite!

I'm still wanting the 5m Apex on here and will most likely pick that one up as well.

No one explained to me how addicting this is.

Highly so. I have found that sitting on the couch and repeatedly removing money or your debit card from your wallet dramatically reduces the distraction that this action can produce. Then kites are like doritos- do you ever just eat one and call it good?

Jack,

I also live in the DC area, and would be more than happy to head out with you. I have a few extra kites I hardly ever fly, and would be more than happy to let you try them out. Drop me a u2u, or e-mail before you head out next time and hopefully I can hook up with you and let you try some stuff out. I also have a buggy if you would like to take that for a spin. There are a few of us here in the DC area. Hope to see you out there soon.

Id recommend the 5 meter! I flew this exact one for a long time. I got it with no prior power kiting experience. Started in about 10kt winds and worked my way up.. By the end of the season it was my high wind snowkiting kite. Also, I ride with the guy selling the kite and Ive seen the care he takes of it. Never damaged and Ive never seen it crashed hard. Always stored clean and dry after a session.

Assuming the 5m is a foil and quad line (ie. has brakes of some description) and you have a good control of your starter kite - you should be ok. Get kite killers so you can dump it in a hurry without losing it though ...