Hello everyone, I am quite new to to this thing but loving it so far. I currently have a 2 line kite and feel that I have learned the basics and can control the kite instinctively. I am looking to get a four line kite but not completely sure which one. I was looking at the peter lynn uniq quad or the hornet. Which one do you think will be more suitable for me. I'm also not sure what size to get, I don't really want to get dragged around or be taken to space, the wind where I usually fly is about 16mph on avarage. The last question is can these kites be flown with a bar and should I be doing that, my main goal is to be able to kiteboard eventually and obviously have fun.

I would appreaciate all opinions and feedback, thanks Tom

Hi Tom and welcome to the forum.
Generally, we're more than happy to help, but more detail makes it easier for us.
Here's a great thread to start with: http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=28759#pid27...
The answers to the questions at the top of the thread are a great place for us to start.

Fly safe,
Howard

Welcome to the Monkey House Tom! Always room for a couple of more good chimps. Howard has already done the first and most important job of directing you to the PKF thread starting point for all folks in your general position.

I have owned both the Hornet and the Uniq Quad. The former is a "twin skin" while the latter is a "single skin". The Hornet, likely in the 3m size would be a superb place to start and likely a kite you will hold on to for years to come. You rarely see them for sale here because people do just that. The Uniq, on the other hand, is just not as good a long term investment IMHO. While it is perfectly adequate for so-called static flying (the sort of flying you're doing now with your feet or seat meat on the ground) but it falls way short once you go mobile on something. Way short IMO.

Bar vs handles: these are both so-called Fixed Bridle kites and as such fly much, much better on handles than on a bar. Plus, flying handles will really teach you how such kites can fly and be controlled. If you're into this enough to post on PKF then you're probably into this enough to fly a FB kite on handles. Go for it!

Bottom line, welcome to the tribe. We look forward to hearing about your new adventures. Final thing, please wear a helmet (at least). I and others are living proof of that last statement.

Steve

I am from the uk, south west. Most of my time I fly in a large field that's flat and is usually empty. I currently have only flown a two line kite and feel like I'm in control of the kite. The reason why I first bought a kite was to learn more and start to kite board eventually. But now I have sort of widened my horizons and thinking about land boarding and buggying when the time is right. On average the winds where I fly are about 16mph. I weigh 75kg but I'm in good shape if that makes a difference. I don't want to be spending anything super crazy just yet but would be willing to pay more if it's worth it.

I've tried to educate myself a bit more about the types of kites and found that a depower kite would be the most suitable for my interests. So should I not be looking for a depower kite instead? You know a lot more about this than me, so tell me if I'm wrong and you think I should get a 4 line fixed bridle kite.

In regards to the size do you think 3m would be the most suitable for someone like me? And is it possible to get a size that won't pull me around too much but could still be used for something like landboarding or buggying?

Thanks for the help, Tom

welcome aboard...lot of approaches to this, and some might say get your depower now but that wont be me
3m 4line kite everyone need at least 1...imo

abkayak is certainly correct in the multitude of approaches to this. I started with FB and then moved over completely to DP except for static flying. HOWEVER, it was super valuable to learn four line flying with handles. This is sort of a purist direct-drive approach to things. If you learn on an automatic (talking cars here) then you've never really driven a car to its fullest. Nothing beats driving with a clutch and stick IMHO. Same goes for kite flying. DP kites are 4.5 or 5 line kites that pull off of the top and steer from the bottom (talking the kite here). It's just not the same. So... my 2 cents is to start with a 3m FB (something like a Hornet since you already mentioned it), learn to fly it cold off of handles and then choose a direction from there. Seems you're still figuring that direction thing out so this would be a great place to park yourself while you figure that out.

Another way to go is with the NASA Stars by Born-Kite. Wait for it..... :P

Bottom line, put your money in a "lock box" immediately. Good luck with that.

I would also vote for a 3m Hornet flown off handles. But it will have a fair bit of pull in 16mph particularly if you have a cold dense wind where you are. That would make a very good buggy engine in those winds too. You could always get a 2m Hornet - which will still have a decent pull in those winds and then buy a depower later on. The nasa star 3, while not quite being as much fun to static fly as the hornet (imho) is possibly the best and safest kite to learn to buggy on and the nasa's do fly very well from a bar (or handles). I have a 'how to' buggying vid here with the Nasa Star 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in-WegBa6iw Just for static flying, I'd take the Hornet, but for buggying I'd take the Nasa.

This sport can get very expensive. One way to save money as you buy and sell your way to the quiver that works best for you is to go used at 1st. Kites are a lot like cars. They are well made and will give thousands of hours of trouble free service if cared for properly. They drop dramatically in value as soon as you put them in the air. Buying recent model used kites can save a bundle.

IF you knew for sure that kiteboarding on water and land was your end goal and you were on the fast track then going straight from your 2 line to a depower would be a reasonable option. 4 line FB kites on handles are the kite of choice for static and buggy pilots. It sounds like you haven't committed to any specific direction yet?

I am with the majority here. I think your best spent money at the moment is in a quality used 2.5 - 3m like the Hornet. Don't get stuck on one brand but shop for a reputable brand. Ozone, HQ, PKD etc.. When you see one in a reputable forum for sale confirm with folks on here that it will be a good deal before buying. Odds are pretty good you will keep this kite even after you progress. Perfect for windy days and teaching others.

You will have to get used to handling power enough to drag you down wind ( under your control ) if you want to progress into motion. A 2.5 - 3m will give you a good taste of power in strong winds while being a pretty safe choice for testing them. While you are mastering the 3m you will be able to form a more clear picture of your own goals.

Going depower and Nasa Star means buying a harness. Choosing an appropriate depower will depend on your needs. Similar with Nasa Star.

I believe you have the advantage of being able to take lessons on land in the UK? You definitely want to take lessons before heading out to sea. If you don't have any locals to give a hand up on land then lessons would be money well spent. Propelling your learning curve dramatically with safety tips added.

Wear a helmet!