As per title. Ive not been out on with the bug with these wind speeds, so dont really know what to expect. Will my old 3m radsail be enough / too much in these conditions ? wind speed for the next few days is steady in the low 20s, with gusts into the mid thirties.



Thanks,
Tim

I'd give it a miss if I were you, gusts to 36 is an awful lot if you aren't experienced. If you are just learning to buggy (and I don't know if you are but I am guessing from the question) 20 mph with a 3 meter kite is a handful. Add in gusts to 36 and that's asking for an accident.

20-36 is pretty gusty!

I have flown my 3.5 in 30, gusting to 40mph but it was a real handfull and not a particularly fun session!

You really need something with depower in the bar throw to cope with winds that gusty.

That is pretty crazy wind.

I would live to fly another day and pass if the wind lives up to that. 3m is OK for about 20 but doesn't leave you room for the gusts .

SIZE FOR GUSTS !!!!!!

Lets put it this way... I just went to the beach and was reading 22-27 mph on my meter. Lumpy winds too. I knew I would be overpowered flying static with my 2.5m Bullet [hates gusty, lumpy winds].

Sure, i could have put it up but within 15 minutes my arms would be screaming and would be getting close to an injury.

The buggy would be screamin in those winds! Weldingod would love it! Me.. I've learned to listen to the "little voice".

I also like to fly slightly underpowered and "work" to get more speed or lift- this way you know what to expect, no surprises.

Thanks for you help !
I didn't go out in the end, safety has to come first.

Tim

I had many days where I was just sidelined because it was blowing too hard, so I got a little tiny 5m LEI for Snowkite/ATB in higher winds. Bastard kite is so fast that riding in those winds is not relaxing or fun, just scary.

Now I have a kite to fly on those days, but I'd rather just sit that one out.

4m ozone access or 3 or 5m HQ Apex. I'd only be thinking depower if the winds are that high and variable.

1 meter to 1.5 meter is plenty big. We stick them on lines of 5 feet or less and buggy in those types of winds. In the lulls the kite just hangs or lands out in front of you. When it is powered up in the gusts, the kite rockets to the edge of the window (about 5 feet in front of you) and you can control the power much better.

It is doable but should only be done if you are an experienced pilot. Helmet, body armor and durable clothes are a must have. Speeds are incredible and it can be quite fun....but the danger factor always goes way up when you get into winds over 30mph.

Im with Broc, 3 or 5m apex!

i never really sized according to wind meter readings or wind forecast numbers.
guestimated kite size (sizing for gusts is a serious consideration especially when noob) and launched kite. if it scudded me then it's good to go.
if you have room(and experience enough) to compensate for a good gust slide/tug then more options available.
the guys setting buggy speed records are super overpowered and have crew to help launch/land/retrieve/untangle kite.
i remember this so i'll pass on this good advice for FB or DP...if kite is at zenith and you can not walk backwards then you are over-powered.
also you can use a larger kite but on shorter and shorter lines as the winds increase.
cheaper to buy two/three line sets than two three kites all on same 30' lines.
-depower is cool to buggy with but remember you are now hardwired/connected to the kite. i would not recommend depower/strop unless experienced and knowing where the release mechanism is without looking.
-also smaller kites come with thier own 'fun' and as mentioned that fun is they are bloody fast across the sky.
they are inherintly more rude than bigger kites.
a small kite will catch you out so quickly (snatch you up or out/OBE) and then drop you down on your butt quicker than you can say holy #@%$#!!!!

30 MPH at the beach gets sand everywhere so get a pair of ski goggles for you and be ready to dump sand out of your pockets, packs and everything else when you're done. I use a really small NPW and fly it off the handles (no lines). It can get twitchy and dart around but with short handles who cares. 30 MPH wind on smooth ice.... that's nice.

In those winds ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS size for the gusts. I would use a 2m flow and in 20 that would be ok but in 36 that baby is lit up and we are cruising. I actually tandemed a guy with it in those winds. Not fast mind you but it did happen.

Quote:

Originally posted by elfasa Thanks for you help ! I didn't go out in the end, safety has to come first. Tim

Tim, here is what often happens with a 3m in shifty 25 gusting to 35.
S

If you get winds like that a lot I would suggest a 1.7m Sting.

I had a chance to use Arkays at NABX and it is a sweet little nuke engine. Sucked up the gusts without snapping at me. Almost so tame it was boring ?? But in those winds boring is comforting.