Hello,

first, I think I will buy montana VI 9.5 m (for my budget limited - it will be first depower kite). In general wind speed is 7-16 mph in my region. My weight is 150 lbs, and I want to make transition jump at least. is this kite suitable for my desire, please give your advice. I use mountainboard.

second, If I ride in salt lake, does salt damage my kite.

Thank
emir

That kite will be getting powered up in 16 mph and not so much power in 7 mph. Salt isn't a problem, but remember, it attracts moisture and moisture can cause mildew and discoloration. It's a good idea to rinse the salt off and thoroughly dry periodically if it goes down in the water. This kite WILL NOT relaunch if you get it in the water.

The 9.5 would fit nicely alongside a 12m for those lower winds, but you can grow and get used to the kite's power and then consider adding a larger kite later.

IMO...that should be a good set up for you...and salt just makes everything taste better

Should work and lift you in the higher part of your wind range. 7mph may be a bit of a struggle on grass. Should power you through that whole range on a salt lake.

If salt from the salt lake is anything like from ocean beaches you should wash it off of your bearings as soon as possible. Not 100% sure if this is an issue with dry salt but waking up to seized bearings and good wind sucks.

Hmm. I assumed "in salt lake" meant riding beside one with salty water in it. Now I'm not so sure.

Quote: Originally posted by BeamerBob

Hmm. I assumed "in salt lake" meant riding beside one with salty water in it. Now I'm not so sure.

OOPS, he did say " in " salt lake. You won't have bearings on a kite board so .....

Like Bob says, you won't be able to relaunch a Montana if your kite goes " in " a salt lake so Neo or other closed cell may be a better cheap option. 9.5 will just be getting you going at 16mph on water.

sorry, I mean that dry salt, I attached photo

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Just be careful in that salt. I imagine falling and getting 'scuffed' on that surface would hurt more than most. Pad up!

I have no experience with salt flats. If that salt is as loose as it appears in your hand 7mph may be a bit of a struggle. If it is hard like a dry lake then you should get by.

Where is that salt flat? Seems like a pretty cool place though if not packed tightly as others say it may be some tough riding on a board.

I weigh 145#s and ride my 10m (very similar to your Montana) in winds 10-18mph or so depending upon how smooth they are. The sweet spot is 12-15 if the winds are smooth I'm jumping no problem yet not overpowered. You should be fine though a bit underpowered at 7 unless the winds are smooth and you can really work the kite.

I went to salt lake for kiting yesterday. I select a region dried to ride (attached photos). its awesome go to where you want. wind speed was high. sometimes wind speed was increased more, I couldn't keep kite (beamer V 5m) in the powerzone. I placed kite to at eleven- twelve o'clock so kite a little lift me and I was forced to stand on the board. I guess If I had depower kite, When wind speed is increased, I push the bar and I can keep the kite in the powerzone?

where is that?? wild looking for sure..im guessing the surface is hard enough for a bug are you sure boards work there not digging in too much?? 5m and a good wind should work fine...a DP in itself wont get you rolling..if you are getting lifted at 12oclock dipping that kite down to 9/10 or 2/3 on the other side and than getting a sine wave going you should be riding both directions

and as far as equipment thats gotta be the worst place in the world...you should pbly be a tester for the factory's..i think w/ the abrasiveness of the salt you will run thru kites/ lines/ bearings quicker than any of us...and than theres the corrosion..yea i'd fly there too

that spot looks like its worth the risk

When properly powered the objective is NOT to keep the kite in the power zone but off to the edge you want to travel. With the low end of wind speed you want to fly the kite in a sine wave ~ along the side of travel. Each time you dip it down will feel a power stroke gaining speed and leaning back to go upwind. Between power strokes you want to ride it out. Your path will end up in a similar sine wave . Hopefully with some upwind progress on each one.

Trying to keep the kite in the power zone is wrong and if you can do it you will be choking the kite with brake input. Speed equals power.

The perfect situation is when you need only dive the kite in the direction of travel and then " park and ride " with the kite at the edge. Using your bar to depower or power up.

AVOID having the kite overhead as much as possible if you feel overpowered. A gust will loft you. If you have it off to the side you will just get send downwind and can scud / ride it out. Keep it low and go !

Depower is a funky term. It really only applies when in motion with the kite parked at the edge.


ALWAYS size for the gusts NOT the average wind.

And Video...

https://vimeo.com/99991087

that's the kite I went with as my first depower. I feel like I need at least 10 knots to get rolling on grass and it's fun up to 20-25 knots. Over that it's too much for me. In a steady wind its a bomber kite, but in shifty gusty conditions it can be a little problematic.

I've been really happy with it.