Hi Gang,

This is my first ever post here and I have a few questions.

I just bought a Prism Snapshot 1.4 for the kids. They are 8 and 12 years old. We are going on vacation to Marthas Vinyard very soon, and I wanted to get them a cool kite. There is a great park on the island right next to the water with lots of beautiful green grass. We bought a cheapo kite last summer and had a nice time. We saw a guy with a cool stunt kite last summer, and I wanted to surprise the kids with one of our own for this summer.

Anyway, in the process of searching for a kite, I discovered the whole kite thing. Pretty cool stuff. I want to get one for me too. I was thinking about going with the Snapshot 2.5, and then I saw the Tensor 4.2. I found this site as I was trying to learn more about the kite. However, I dont really want to spend 3 or 400 bucks.

Can anyone recommend a cool kite from the Classified section on this forum? We leave for vacation on the 3rd of August, so I am running out of time. I would like something that would be a real hoot. Getting lifted off the ground a bit looks like fun. I don't know how much is too much. Is more better? I watched videos of the Tensor 4.2 on youtube, and it looks cool! I weigh about 160lbs and am in good shape. I race dirtbikes almost every weekend so I kind of enjoy a thrill.

I would love any insights or suggestions on a kite I could buy out of the classifieds section of the forum.

Thanks so much gang!

If you want a power kite that will be powerful enough for what you want, yet not too dangerous, the tensor is a good place to start. You might try to find a used beamer or buster soulfly if you are trying to save money though. For your size I would recommend nothing bigger than a 4 or 5 though as your first time hanging on a power kite will scare the poo out of you, and rightfully so.

Here is a good deal if it hasn't sold.

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=26284

If the Buster Soulfly 3.3m at www.bigkidkites.com is a complete package then I would say go for it ? If not there is a set of handles and lines on here for $100.

Go to www.coastalwindsports.com and read what Angus has put together for tutorials. He has done a great job and you should find it very valuable info.

Thanks for the replies guys.

I inquired about the Beamer. We will see.

Am I getting too much kite?

I saw a video on youtube of a guy that got lifted 20 or 30 feet in the air on a big gust of wind. The wind died, and he fell straight down! Scary!

Probably the video of the guy with a 5m Ace. That is a lifty kite and a freak gust . Proof that ''it can happen but is best used as an example of why jumping with a small kite is a bad idea.

The Beamer is a low lift kite and slow + stable. It is one of the only kites I would suggest as a 1st kite in 4m. 3m is sort of best.

ALWAYS common sense is required. The physical size of the 4m will scare you enough that I doubt you will try to fly it in too strong of winds. We have many kites because each kite has it's own limited wind range. The 4m should serve you in 3 to 13mph for getting started. 5 - 10 being best. You will be able to handle it in stronger winds once you have it mastered.

The 3.3 Buster will have similar wind range.

A Beamer is a low -aspect buggy engine. It is considered an entry level kite,and a good one too. I am a little biased on PKDs though :D (understatement) , If you can't get the Beamer,check out the Buster Soulfly I love em' ! Here is the last video I made at Virginia Beach... https://vimeo.com/65980936 We were flying A 1.5m Buster soulfly and a 2.2m Buster soulfly.

I would also strongly suggest a helmet and kite killers too. Just get it in your brain to "let go" if it gets scary. Instinct will have us hold on for dear life if it turns ugly. But just let go. The Buster Soulfly's come highly recommended from many people here. Hard to beat their RTF packages if you are on a budget. You can get 2 RTF's for about $400. the 2.2 and 4.4
Jeff @ Bigkidkites http://www.pkdkitesusa.com/
Angus @ http://www.coastalwindsports.com/servlet/StoreFront
Just let them know you are needing it by the 3rd if you go that route. Coastal also has a killer kiting 101 do's and dont's on his site as well.

Study the wind ranges of each size. Take the kite out in the bottom of the wind range and work your way up:

http://www.powerkites.de/Products/Kites/Handle-Kites/Beamer-...

Although the technical data says you can fly the 4m in 27mph winds , TRUST ME , 13mph will scare your pants off at 1st !

It still comes down to common sense. Common sense says a helmet is a good idea !

My 2.4m PKD Combat scares the bejeezus out of me in 25mph wind. It's hard to think something so small can be soooooo powerful. But , it is a "racekite". I heard some kitesurfer last year,telling some bystander. That the kite I was flyin' was a "trainer"...... Wind was 15-20 , I was sooooooo tempted to go let him fly my "trainer"....:evil::evil::evil: But the angels won...:saint:

i dont care what you get...3 guys 1 kite big problem...welcome, move quick!

Quote: Originally posted by abkayak

i dont care what you get...3 guys 1 kite big problem...welcome, move quick!

Thanks for all the input guys.

I spoke with Mike over at Big Kid Kites. What a nice guy. He explained a bunch of stuff I did not know, and we decied that a Soulfly 3.3 Pro was the way to go.

I should have it next week. Looking forward to vacation more than ever!

I will take some footage with the GoPro and post that up. I have never flown anything but a drugstore kite before.

Should be interesting!

Thanks again,

David

Once you get those kids set up trashing that prism all over the place your gonna have so much fun...check the tutorials-know the wind window-have set up/pak up to memory and don't launch in 20mph first time out

Quote: Originally posted by Fatherof2

Thanks for all the input guys. I spoke with Mike over at Big Kid Kites. What a nice guy. He explained a bunch of stuff I did not know, and we decied that a Soulfly 3.3 Pro was the way to go. I should have it next week. Looking forward to vacation more than ever! I will take some footage with the GoPro and post that up. I have never flown anything but a drugstore kite before. Should be interesting! Thanks again, David

Hey Congrats! Oh boy, it's all over now. Watch and see :evil:
Welcome to the addiction. Yup.
Great to see you making it a family hobby. Kiting is good for the soul. Brings out our inner child that too many people forget they have. Most of the time, it's the good child :embarrased: .Wait till you are sitting in the middle of the floor, poised to tear into the box like a 6 year old. LOL

Use the lighter wind days to get used to it. Be safe and have fun. Keep us posted

Yeah I'll say that 1.5 Buster soulfly was a joy to fly. Thanks for the repost of that WG I certainly enjoyed.

Quote: Originally posted by flyhighWNY

Yeah I'll say that 1.5 Buster soulfly was a joy to fly. Thanks for the repost of that WG I certainly enjoyed.

I told ya I was gonna put ya in the movies!

ooops double post from possessed phone.

Weld,

I just watched that video you posted in this thread! Man that does look cool! You were cooking right along. About how fast do you go? Does a buggy have brakes? How much is one of those? Any idea if there are places in Massachusetts that are good for that? We have lost of coastline. I wonder if we need low tide for that to work up here. Is it rare to have good conditions for that kind of thing? Thanks for any input.

David

Ohh....nobody had told you about the buggy thing yet?....he's ours now.

Quote:

Does a buggy have brakes?

yeah..your foot.. but don't press too hard....

Quote:

Any idea if there are places in Massachusetts that are good for that?

Where do you live in Massachusetts?

Quote: Originally posted by abkayak

Ohh....nobody had told you about the buggy thing yet?....he's ours now.

Now that is funny right there!!

I live about 25 miles north of Boston.

I really like the kite mountain boarding thing. I have a fair amount of time on a snowboard. 2 seasons in Vail and 1 in Jackson Hole.

Really looking forward to giving this a try next week!

Thanks for all the input!

Quote: Originally posted by Fatherof2

Weld, I just watched that video you posted in this thread! Man that does look cool! You were cooking right along. About how fast do you go? Does a buggy have brakes? How much is one of those? Any idea if there are places in Massachusetts that are good for that? We have lost of coastline. I wonder if we need low tide for that to work up here. Is it rare to have good conditions for that kind of thing? Thanks for any input. David

I was doin around 20-30 mph in that vid. There are no brakes. Mine are custom ,I built myself...Priceless. You could get production models from $350 -$2500. I have nop clue about Mass. ,we do have a lot of peeps up in that area,they sould chime in on that. And low tide happens twice a day, if you can get wind onshore, you are set.

Hi Gang,

Just thought I would post an update on my kiting experience.

We had a great time on the Vineyard!

The wind was pretty low the first few days. We only flew the 1.4. Then one day it was too much, and I was afraid to bring out the 3.3, but man the 1.4 was fun.

After coming home, I finally got a chance to fly the 3.3! What a blast! The kids love it too!

I have since learned that there is a pretty big kiteboarding community in the Boston area. I have my first lesson scheduled for this Saturday! Hope the wind is right!

Thanks everyone for helping me get involved in this sport. I think it is going to be a blast!

Sincerely,

David

There is a good group of land kiting guys Nahant to Maine. Welcome and the season is almost upon us. As soon as the beaches clear. 1 1/2 Weeks. See you out there

Awesome! Glad to hear your update. I have one of those 3.3 Buster Soulflys and I love it. I actually use it as a buggy engine for beginners and on high wind days. You should try to join us down in GA for JIBE 2014. Last year was my first time (I came from CO) and it was a blast. The family had an awesome time, too.