I got a Hq hydra 3.5 and It seems to have plenty of power for a learner kite, I am interested in modding it to De-power or At very least to harness and clip in in a few months when the Lakes Freeze over. Any Ideas?

I realize I need to get a proper de-power kite but Will be un-able to afford it this Winter ( saving to get a Neo 9 M for kite boarding and Snowkite next spring ) Till I can I am interested in opinions about the hydra for Snow kiting, I ride a Snowboard and Have a modded Gt racer that is Longer on skis and can be turned with legs.. Do you think this Kite has enough 10 o clock pull to Ride up-wind??

talk to john at powerzone kite sports about the hydra depower mod... http://www.powerzonekitesports.com/pztrainer.html

The hydra would pull you in very high winds only.

Here you go. HQ makes the harness loop.

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=15049

If this kite is on handles you can just use a simple strop to connect the handles and run it through your harnes either with a pully or just on the hook. But a bar will give you a free hand when needed for balance.

I would just put a D-loop with QR on it and GO FOR IT .

Money spent modding the Hydra to depower is better spent on a true depower kite.

Quote:

Originally posted by DHKITE I got a Hq hydra 3.5 and It seems to have plenty of power for a learner kite, I am interested in modding it to De-power or At very least to harness and clip in in a few months when the Lakes Freeze over. Any Ideas? I realize I need to get a proper de-power kite but Will be un-able to afford it this Winter ( saving to get a Neo 9 M for kite boarding and Snowkite next spring ) Till I can I am interested in opinions about the hydra for Snow kiting, I ride a Snowboard and Have a modded Gt racer that is Longer on skis and can be turned with legs.. Do you think this Kite has enough 10 o clock pull to Ride up-wind??

Powerzone kitesports do depower mods on hydras. I believe John may be the only one doing this. Regardless, his workmanship is stellar, checkout his site.......................

Agree with Bladerunner.

My first intro to snowkiting was on a small fixed bridle. Simply using handles and a strop. Very simple and cheap. Could work upwind really well on high wind days, but unfortunately I was skunked most of the time.

Hydra is on a bar but that isn't a big issue because it's designed that way. I am kind of surprised it doesn't come with a D-loop stock? Being a kiteboard trainer.

I got my 1st real snowkite sessions in on a similar kiteboard trainer. It was a nice intro because I was so intimate with my trainer I didn't have to think about it too much.

i also agree with blade runner on the its better to save the cash for a true depower.
i also own a 350 hydra. on stronger days i only fly it for 15 min or so at a time before i want a rest. my arms can only take so much..
i think the d loop is the best option (havnt installed mine yet, but next time i fly it im going to try it out)
as to having enough pull for snow kiting ? id say if ya have enough (read *a lot of) wind yea sure.

Sweet, I am figuring this kite will be a high winder for sure, It pulls me fine On land As i have scudded 500 feet easy in decent wind, so I figure it should pull fine on snow, but Have heard that it doesnt generate as much pull as ideal on the edge of the window.


How are you liking the neo?? I am looking into this kite currentlly, but am also wondering if a more novice kite would be a better option for my forst de-power.

Careful at 1st hooking in ! use it to rest and if you get going to cruise but remain unhooked any time you are pushing yourself. The D-loop may have a QR but stuff happens fast. Better just not to push it until your comfort zone is WAY up.

I had a great time my 1st year on snow with a 3m JoJo kiteboard trainer because I had such great command + comfort with that kite. + the wind was 20 - 26 mph! Fly that kite as much as you can . The more familiar you are with it the better it will be !

well i havnt flown the neo2 as much as id like..... ill start off with it makes the hydra look like a toy.... its beastly huge.... the color is very much to my liking..... i live a bit inland so when its windy its never steady .... the few times ive flown it i found it to fly rather well, it pulls all over the window and after its pulled you into the air it does a good job of letting you down slow.... i had a real nice day when i traveled to the ocean and played in the dunes , was very low wind but it was clean and stayed the same speed..... got some good long low floats..... im hoping when they let the water down for the winter flooding at my local lake ill get some room to be able to launch and try out my board...... static flying the neo is like trying to drive a motor cycle with your feet on the ground, its possible to do, but not what its meant for.... it wants to be moving not anchored...

the only down side i can see is how full of string the bridle is.. took me a while to figure out how to wind it up so it wouldn't take 20 min of unbuggering to get to fly.

as for the looking into the neo as a snow kite sounds like what it was meant for... as for being scared of it as a first depower.. don't be its mine as well and i took to it quite well... just use way more caution than you did with the hydra yea
and they make it in a few sizes i have the 11m and haven't tried the others..

well update on your efforts on the hydra id like to know how it comes out

Flew today in 20 Mph wind, Cast and all ( again ) and had a blast seated and Static flying, Used the Kite to Body drag back to the Entrance and Packed up... Was fun, But Is more fun When You can move with the kite... and It was not gusty at all today so even broken I felt safe.

Have ordered a windmeter and it should get here this week, So I will be looking into Different spots to survey and Will figure out where the Wind is more clean. also Took notice of a unseen depression on the other side of my flying spot that seems to Make the air in that spot more lofty and unpredictablle. good to scout the location Extesively, though crutches Sure make it a hassle.