Hi, I've had 2-line foil kites for a long time, but I am just looking to get a "real" Power Kite. I live in Ohio, near Cleveland, and the wind is missing or gusty most of the time, so I can't count on getting a lot of flight time.

I also can't find anyone in this area to ask about kites/or that even sells them!

Any hints for picking a first power kite?
I don't know anything about what I want!
Someone told me that I should pick a trainer under 3M, but he was a guy who sold trainers under 3M so of course he would say that.

I will tell you that I weigh 200 lbs and am ok with being knocked around, because that's what power kites are for!

Having grown up in northeastern Ohio, I'd say get a 3m to learn on for now. Good choices are Ozone Flow (one of my favorites), HQ Beamer, or Peter Lynn Hornet.

Yooo! I know my location says Cleveland, but I'm actually in Hinckley. Where are you usually flying? I meet up with a friend and we have regualr spots all over the northern part of the state. Our most frequent spots are Edgewater Park, Fremont, Maumee Bay up by Toledo, and a nice field in Spencer. If you're looking for some advice, I've got plenty to give, and you are welcome to try out my gear as well.

Also U2U sent!

Thank you for the info Maven454! I will check those out.
(That Hornet is pretty...!)

Jovver, It looks like a big event is going on at Edgewater Park next weekend, in fact?
I really don't live in Cleveland, I live down near Oberlin - pretty close to Spencer! Shoot I didn't see your U2U. I have now figured out how to get it to e-mail me when I get a U2U! Bleh, sorry.

I did some flying over the weekend because we actually had, gasp, wind.


Also I am on Twitter with the name Nycteris if anyone's over there.

Good on you Erik now pack him with your luggage and bring him to the WBB.

By him I'm assuming you mean her... and yes WBB will be a topic of discussion pretty soon.

I read that also and thought "Oh, I guess I will put up an avatar to show off my her-ness". Guys can't have ALL the kite fun!

You might think about flying nasa wings. They are a single skin power kite that does real good in gusty winds. I have been flying and making them now for about 5 years. A 3 meter would be a good size to learn on.

Susan (npw goddess)

I had not heard of those, but that sounds like a neat suggestion (from the little bit of Googling I just did http://www.kiteplace.com/kiteplace_nasa_wings.htm That one looks neat right there, I'm half tempted to hit buy and I don't even know a thing about it!)

Personally, while I find NPWs to stay in the air easily during a lull, I find them likely to cause face plants in a gust. I never spent a lot of time learning their ins and outs though...

I have no experience myself, so I'll hold off on buying anything until I can connect with Jovver, and try a kite or two, I hope.

Partly I looked at the NASA wing and said "I can afford that one!"

Not that I can't afford another kite, but it's hard to drop money on something when you have no idea what you're getting, so I won't be surprised if I end up buying something I've had a chance to touch.

For some reasons Nasa wings seem to be a popular kite with girls and buggies? I know Airin was less intimidated and enjoys her NPW's a lot. She would have learned quick anyway but the 3.8m she had Susan aka kitemaker 4 make up for her made the whole experience more enjoyable. She now has an 8.something? that is serving her well as a low wind engine. You should contact kitemaker4 direct . She makes them and makes them WELL !!! You can sort of choose your colour pattern as well !

Quote:

Originally posted by Maven454 Personally, while I find NPWs to stay in the air easily during a lull, I find them likely to cause face plants in a gust. I never spent a lot of time learning their ins and outs though...

I have been flying them for about 5 years now and never had a problem.

Susan (npw goddess)

Well they are now on my list of things to check out, thanks!
I just wish picking the perfect kite was a more cut & dry decision.
I expect I won't find a perfect kite, but I want to find a kite that's close enough for me! Because anything beats no kite, at this point.

+1 for the NASA wing! I have 3 that I fly all the time,(2 HQ NPW 5's, one custom made 7M NPW 9 by the goddess herself!) less tendency to lift you off the ground and slam ya, but low in the window in a gust can, like maven said, induce face plants, or at least interesting scuds! If you make it to Wildwood, there should be several there you could try. Of course, you'll be overwhelmed by all the kites you'll be able to try there! Yeah, you been bit, on that never ending search... hehehe!

I just looked at the NASA wing you referenced, it is the same one as in my avatar. If Don still has these, they might be the last HQ production models available, as they stopped making them. I'm pretty sure I got the last one Angus (Coastal Wind Sports) had in stock. So a little piece of kite history also.