People, I sold my HQ Hydra 350 that I used with my cross country ski's on the lake, 6" of snow.
I could ski jsut find with the wind @ 12mph but tacking back to the start point was a lot of work.
I weight 190 with gear on, should I be looking at a 5Mkite like a Prism Tensor or should I be looking at an even larger kite?

No single kite will do the job.

After using 3, 4.5 and 7m fixed bridles for snowkite I changed over to depower kites. Winds change as you move about the lake and I found FB didn't have the range.

For FB in 12mph wind and 6" snow at 195 and a 350 I expect you were underpowered and a 5m would work better? A 10 or so meter depower would work even better.

Beware, having only one kite usually means you are tempted to take it out in too much wind.

I would say depower as well. I would recommend depower for any traction kiting that you have to stand up while doing. If you are in a buggy you can soak up gusts a bit better with the extra weight and lower center of gravity, but depower just seems to make it easier to help you with balance while standing.

DEPOWER, like my Hydra 350 it had a center line I could pull and it would collapse the kite

what is FB?

DEPOWER, like my Hydra 350 it had a center line I could pull and it would collapse the kite

I have a Peter Lynn buggy as well but that only works in no snow winters or on a parking lot

what is FB?

after one edits a post, how does one post it?

a simple explanation is fb = fixed bridal = any kite you steer with the front lines and break with the rear lines
depower = front lines connect to you via a power strap (varies types) and a chicken loop and the back lines are for steering the kite by pulling left or right on the bar but if you pull both at the same time you add power to the kite by changing the angle of attack (pitch) of the kite and pushing the bar away from you decreases the power

Quote: Originally posted by hobby_man

after one edits a post, how does one post it?

Go back to the orignal post and click the "Edit" button in the upper right hand corner.

ATB,
Sam

Quote: Originally posted by hobby_man

DEPOWER, like my Hydra 350 it had a center line I could pull and it would collapse the kite

Althought John made a depower version (rebridled) version of the Hydra, the one that came from HQ was a Fixed Bridle 3 line kite. Pulling the center line just deployed the brakes. Not the same thing as a kite where you can alter the angle of attack and thus the power it generates while it is flight.

ATB,
Sam

Your kite was FB..depower(dp) is something else..you really what to know these terms and many others..you need to hit the books( Internet) search for all the info you can to help you along.. Start w/ coastalwindsports read his tutorials...yes ask more questions here...but in my opinion never sell your first kite add on...

Take a look at the tutorials at www.coastalwindsports.com . They describe the different kites and much more in a real well presented package.

Oh yes I been reading lot. Trying to remember all the terms and acranims .

I think I need a 4 line foil kit just not sure how many meters in size it should be.

As others have said. It's really hard to have just one FB kite. Especially for traction. For the once a month Sunday park flyer maybe. But for traction, you need a few to choose from depending on wind conditions. If you moved pretty good on the 3 meter, then I would say another 3 meter plus a 5 meter to cover minimum conditions. There was an almost "Free To Good Home" Tensor here the other day. http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=27276

If you just settle for a 5 meter, then you will have the same issue, only at the other end of the spectrum. It will scare the hell out of you down wind, but be good for tacking back up wind. LOL

If only one kite for now though, I'd concentrate on flying only on days that give you a Beam Reach run (90 degrees to the wind). That means less frustration, and more fun :D

No such things as too many kites :evil:

IMHO

Thanks guys for all your input. I fly RC planes and helis. On the 15-20 mph wind days I do not fly.So I am looking for a skiing kite that will pull me on those windy days. My hydra 350 worked great in a 25 mph wind. Not too many days like this in the winter. A 15 mph wind and the hydra 350 pulls the buggy good on bare ice with wheel. Take the wheels off and install the blades and its a fun ride.

I hope the above helps you give me a couple of kite choices. I think I do a real good job of keeping the Hydra in the power window to maximize my kite needs.

AHA, you will be in a buggy.

Fixed bridle and buggies are an OK match, on wheels. I don't know much about buggies on blades and what works best.

I am stuck on why you sold the 350 ? It sounds like it was working for you in the stronger winds? If you get a 5m kite it will work at about the 15mph winds but be too much shortly after that. That is the big problem and it can tempt you to fly in too much wind. This is why we have 3 of 4 FB in a quiver. ALWAYS size your kite for the gusts not the average wind speeds.

I read all this info on these de-power kites and I can change the angle of the kite. they rate them at say 4-21 mph wind, is this not true and the wind window is much smaller?

sell the hydra was a long story here on the home front. its was not an approved purchase!

Prism Kites - Tensor 5.0 - Silver what about one of thee with the adjustable FB (3 settings) to use on skis and on the buggy
the buggy on wheels on ice skids a lot, on the blades it a blast.

The trick with a kite rated at 4 - 21 mph is that it will fly in that range but down at 4 it will fly but not always be enough power to work as an engine and 21 will be the max with no room for gusts.

Sorry the 350 got you in trouble.

5m Tensor is a good kite but I am concerned it will be too big since you sound like you want to ride in somewhat strong winds ? The adjustable AOA is not " on the fly " . You must manually adjust knots to change AOA on Fixed Bridle. Most folks find they like it on one setting best and leave it there.

Looks like your picking up that Tensor? Nice Kite

yes, you pre set the FB and it stays at the setting until you reset it, It can be flown with a bar or split the bar and then its handles. this way you can adjust the angle of attach to the wind.

really 5M too big, um I've been looking at 9M de-power kites. I wanted more power than the 350 had so maybe I am over compensaiting the size

Quote: Originally posted by 3shot

Looks like your picking up that Tensor? Nice Kite

not yet, he has not replied, must have changed his mind
I see the 5M brand new on a site for 399.00 shipped

Quote: Originally posted by hobby_man

really 5M too big, um I've been looking at 9M de-power kites. I wanted more power than the 350 had so maybe I am over compensaiting the size

Trust me. There is a HUGE difference in power in a 3m FB and a 5M FB. FB's are full power all the time. As far as fixed bridal traction goes, a 3m and a 5m combo is a good place to start. Pilot experience above all of course, but on average, 20 mph wind and a 5m is going to be a BIG handful. :o :roll: :tumble:
Especially a Tensor. They have huge grunt! My 5m suggestion earlier was based on your original post of 12 mph, not 20.
Again, IMHO

I read the directions for u2u how do I get (in topic) to post a reply

Quote: Originally posted by 3shot

Quote: Originally posted by hobby_man   really 5M too big, um I've been looking at 9M de-power kites. I wanted more power than the 350 had so maybe I am over compensaiting the size Trust me. There is a HUGE difference in power in a 3m FB and a 5M FB. FB's are full power all the time. As far as fixed bridal traction goes, a 3m and a 5m combo is a good place to start. Pilot experience above all of course, but on average, 20 mph wind and a 5m is going to be a BIG handful. :o :roll: :tumble: Especially a Tensor. They have huge grunt! My 5m suggestion earlier was based on your original post of 12 mph, not 20. Again, IMHO

I am flexable with the winds, I'm not going to buy 5 kites so I have one to fly all the time. I got plenty of other things to do. I quit flying RC all togeter in the winter so I have about 4 months of safe ice on the lake I am looking to play on.

I just have this fear the kite I buy will not pull me when I am tacking back upwind. Is there a chart out their somewhere ?

??? Anyone named "hobby-man" has tons of money to play with. LOL (just kidding) Just about every manufacture has a wind chart for their FBs and Depower kites. I understand you not wanting to buy 5 FB kites. However, if you only purchase one you are very limited to the days you can fly. This may very well be acceptable to you. As a rule of thumb, I try to carry one size up, and one size down of what I'm currently flying when in the buggy. Hard to say what the wind will do a few miles away, or an hour later. I don't want to get stranded either . You very well may be a good candidate for Depower. But, most have two or three of those as well to cover the full wind speed range

BTW, have you looked at Ozone's Pure snowkite package? http://www.awindofchange.com/product/ozone-pure.html

Or the Peter Lynn Explore snowkite package? http://www.bigmikeskites.com/PeterLynn/Xplore/Xplore.html

Ah good point, runnig out of wind. So one would kite with another and their back, um.

yea my caring unselfish wife came up with the name. You should see my hobby_room :o

Yes I looked at the pure today. Its 4 meter I feel its too small at 4M. The Hydra 350 was too small st 3.5M


if I get a 9M cant I just fly it higher in the power zone and or sheet it out on windy days and sheetit in and flyin the powerzone sweet spot (30º) when its less windy.

Quote: Originally posted by hobby_man

Yes I looked at the pure today. Its 4 meter I feel its too small at 4M. The Hydra 350 was too small st 3.5M if I get a 9M cant I just fly it higher in the power zone and or sheet it out on windy days and sheetit in and flyin the powerzone sweet spot (30º) when its less windy.

I must now pass the torch to the Depower Peeps

Thanks for all your help and advice.

If the 4 to 21mph rating is for the 5m Tensor I stand by my warning that it will tempt you to fly in too much wind since you describe 15 to 25 as being your range !!!