I am really wanting to have a water kite by the time summer starts but im kinda short on cash.

I know that i shouldn't buy something cheap when it comes to safety, but what would be a good kite that is pretty cheap?

You can get safe for cheap and you can get old for cheap. But you'll rarely get safe old stuff for cheap. Be on the look out for deals on recent kites to ensure you'll have a good set of safety features. Craigslist can be awesome, also any local kite forums close to you(or not close to you too).

I personally seem to always buy kites that have been repaired for cheap, with the understanding that the repair is of "professional" quality. That said, I don't do stuff on the repaired kites I own that would be excessively dangerous.(No plans to ever glide with these ones.)

But also it's nearly guaranteed that someone here will be able to help you out with a great deal on a bow kite for the summer, but they may be drowned out by the chorus of people telling you to rob a bank or the like to get a new charger or Speed3.

I see a rather ridiculous number of used BEST Waroo's for sale on cheap usually, and though it's not personally my favorite kite, it's a good design with decent safety setup, and was/is mass produced with a low retail price, so used ones do go for cheap. Might be what you'll find as well... Personally I'd recommend scouting for a used slingshot fuel as I really really enjoyed the characteristics of a pure C kite, and its what I learned on so I'm rather partial/nostalgic for the kite.

Hey

I agree with Erratic Winds. Look for something like a Waroo. I had a couple and I picked up relatively cheap(compared to closed cell foils). If flew them for about 2 years with no problems. They also had a huge wind range and good safety system.

John

I'd spend the money on lessons first. This way you'll be sure that you want to continue, will learn the basics of setup and water safety (most pol who don't take lessons don't realize what to do of you break your kite a 1/4 mile from shore!!) and you can first learn what kites work beat in your area. Plus, you can often get good discounts on new and used stuff from schools if you take lessons there. Also realize that boards, even used one are pretty spendy then you probably need a harness and secondary saftey ad wetsuit; it adds up fast. I got some used equip as well but don't sacrifice on quality or you just won't enjoy rising as much. Also if you take lessons you can trash their equipment and not have to worry about wrecking yours :D

That said, most schools around me use best because they are ai
ple, low cost, ad stable... Beginner freindly.

Quote:

Originally posted by arkay I'd spend the money on lessons first. This way you'll be sure that you want to continue, will learn the basics of setup and water safety (most pol who don't take lessons don't realize what to do of you break your kite a 1/4 mile from shore!!) and you can first learn what kites work beat in your area. Plus, you can often get good discounts on new and used stuff from schools if you take lessons there. Also realize that boards, even used one are pretty spendy then you probably need a harness and secondary saftey ad wetsuit; it adds up fast. I got some used equip as well but don't sacrifice on quality or you just won't enjoy rising as much. Also if you take lessons you can trash their equipment and not have to worry about wrecking yours :D That said, most schools around me use best because they are ai ple, low cost, ad stable... Beginner freindly.

The only problem with that is that i live in ohio and (im not certain, but) i dont think there are any schools around here.




What would be a good size to start with?

I have a 14m Aero that i have been told not to use, so I just wanted to know what size i should be using.

size of kite depends on many things.. but overall as a beginner you want to be underpowered and working the kite rather than overpowered and struggling to hold it down, that's why people are recommending against the 14...
if you're 16 then i'd take a wild guess and say you need a 8 or a 9 to learn on....

Folks are part right about that Aero. It flies well but has minimal depower.

If it is like my Aero II it will have an attachment front centre to hook your pump to. This can double as a fifth line attachment.
Set this up as a fifth line C kite and it will be much safer + easier to relaunch. Ocean Rodeo has a manual for their fifth line kit online. I used it to mod my bar from 4 line to 5 line.

Try and find a good deal on a kite complete with medium LONG THROW bar . Once you have a bar kite only is cheaper. Buy 06 or newer and I agree a pro repair usually sweetens the deal for you. Warros go cheap but usually kite only.

If it is typically 12mph or more get a 9. If it can be less try a 12?


If you can't get lessons get a good DVD and watch it in your sleep! DON'T try and learn alone. Have a buddy there to help you. Even if they don't kite.

@Bladerunner

I have a friend that is also learning so we will both be learning/helping/watching each other. (I've already learned never to kite alone)


@erratic Winds

I'm looking at a 9m Griffin on eBay right now but i dont really have that kind of money yet.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=25061...

I've been looking around and have my eyes on a few different things, but if anyone sees something could they let me know?

@xxxBUGGYPILOTXXX
I don't know much about kites, so do you think that a 15m would be good to start with?
I have no experience flying on water yet.

It depends on the wind in your area what size kite you need. Best bet is to hook up with local liters and see what they use. but a 15 will be too big. That size kite is more for light wind, you really don't want to learn in light wind. It will be more frustration than fun.

Where do you plan to fly?

I plan on going to Maumee Bay
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Maumee+Bay&state=OH&am...

I havnt been there yet but Jovver goes there and said he would give me a few pointers.


Other than that I dont know anyone near me that has a kite.

Try and find some wind charts for your area.

Your 14m will be an O.K. kite in about 10 - 15mph winds and should already be your low wind kite for starting out. ( once you set it up as a 5 line. ) Not sure what that 15m is but it may overlap a bit ?

Ikitemaster may be interested in the 15 if it is a good deal?

I would suggest you get a smaller kite. Small kite and a big board. It is easier to get going in a stronger wind.

Be sure and get a good lesson DVD . It will be worth it's weight in gold if you are learning on your own.!!!!

@Bladerunner
What exactly is a 5 line kite?
im guessing it has the 2 lines on each side, plus a line in the middle?

YES.

It is a regular 4 line kite but instead if releasing to one of the 4 corners it releases to a 5th line attached to the centre. The 5th line only comes in to play on release. The kite then flips out and dumps most of it's pull. On one corner it spins and gets all messy.

It is also easier to get the kite in to position to relaunch with that middle line in play.

Newer Bow and SLE kites have gotten around that problem but it is an easy way to make your Aero much safer and easier to handle. As mentioned get the manual on Ocean Rodeos website for their 5th line upgrade . It shows you how to make + set one up.

I will look at my kite when i get home from school and see what i can do.

how would i go about adding a 5th line?
Ive seen a few places that have said how to do it would i have to actually sew something onto the middle of the kite
(something to tie the line to)?

@xxxBUGGYPILOTXXX
do you think that that 9m would be ok to start with?
(Ive been doing really good with my 4.5m legend and im going to start using my 6m ace soon.)

Hey

The size of kite you will need to start with depends on your weight and how much wind you will fly it in.
Look at the suggested wind range of the kite and size you are looking at. You will want to fly it in about the middle of that range. Eg. if the wind range is 12 to 20 knots, you will have your best luck around 15 to 16 knots.
The low end of the suggested wind range is usually to low to learn with. The kite responds slow and doesn't produce a lot of power without working it. At the high end of the wind range the kite responds a little fast to learn with IMO.
If you don't exceed the manufactures wind range the kite will depower should you get in trouble.
So if your trying to learn in 12 knots or mph a 15 meter should be fine.
Like others have said try to find an 07 or newer bow or sle kite, like a Best Waroo, Cabrhina Switchblade, or a Slingshot Turbo Diesel. They all have tons of wind range and are very safe.
The bow or sle are easier to learn on than a C style, again only my opinion.

Hope this helps
John

YES

You need an attachment at the centre of the leading edge. I know My Aero II had one that was originally for the pump. I had to have one sewn on my old Airush .

Quote:

Originally posted by Bladerunner YES You need an attachment at the centre of the leading edge. I know My Aero II had one that was originally for the pump. I had to have one sewn on my old Airush .

What is that called?
How much do they run?




@xxxBUGGYPILOTXXX
fixed it. sorry lol

5th line attachment point.
I paid $30 Canadian at the sail shop.