Maybe someone can give explanations: Today the wind appeared to be very good. Blowing about 20 mph. So I figured I would hit the beach with my 2 meter beamer and the bigfoot buggy. The sand was not hard packed but it wasn't soft either. I thought for sure I would get a good ride but it wasn't that good at all. The wind direction was ok. But it just didn't seem to get enough power no mater where in the window I put the kite. Every once in a while it would kick up and move me several feet but then just loose power. Looking at the ground I could see the sand moving pretty good but still no good. Question is: because the wind was not completely steady was this the reason that the ride was bad? I have used the 2 meter in what felt like similar winds and it worked great,,,,, I could just tell a slight difference in the steadiness... Would this make a big difference?

I notice a huge loss of power if the wind's really bumpy, by bumpy I mean feels like you're running over railroad tracks, really quick gusts, like one a sec. Seems the kite never really finishes inflating and never pulls to it's potential.

A good gust absorbing kite will help, but you're still stuck with the problem. I'll usually fly one size bigger Brooza in these conditions, either that or the 16m Scorpion.

Hey Pablo I think you hit it right on the head,,, that is what it was like,,, running over railroad tracks, real fast gusts. And the power was just not there. That was why I didnt quite understand it... I could see flags blowing like hell and then this was not powering up... makes sense,,, thanks.. well it was powering up but just not giving me any pull..... I thought about moving up to the 3 meter but didn't want to chance it with the big gusts that were hitting.. At least I know now that it wasn't something I was doing wrong except for expecting to get a good ride out of the wind today.

Do you have KS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s? If so I would have tried the 3, just me tho. Hell I took my 3 out in 25 gusting to 35 on a bar with no KS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s....BAD IDEA!!!! I survived but only cuz I let my kite go and it flew a good 300feet. DAMNNN!!!!

Yeah, when the wind's that off, you can often go up a size, you lose so much power by not having smooth airflow over the sail it's not funny. But gusty is somehow the wrong term, it's just horrible winds. When I think of gusty I think of big wind strenght changes, something like 15 gusting to 25mph.

For the bumpy winds any stable kite should be able to handle it, you'll just have to go up a size to get the power back. KS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s are a good idea though. For the gusty winds you need something that doesn't bite too hard in a gust. A blade 4.9m is a wicked kite, but when you get hit by a 10+mph gust you can bet that something interesting is going to happen. Then take the PL ARCs, they'll eat gusts for breakfast. I've gotten a ride on the buggy out of 5mph gusting to 25mph. It was interesting, but I got a ride out of it. Most fixed bridal kites will hurt someone badly in those conditions.

Yes on all of my beamers I have Kite Killers and was using them today. Maybe next time I will try going up a size.. I know how to handle the kite pretty well,, to keep myself out of trouble that is...... within reason.... Thanks for the info. Anyone else wants to add anything would be great.

my phils is thus: If I am not having any fun and the kite is work, then go up a size. Then I will get at least one OH SH*T moment out of the day, and that moment will make the day worth it. Other wise I am being a big panzy going nowhere.

Has anyone ever had that moment where you get so sick of not going anywhere in a buggy that you just don't care anymore if its dangerous?

DQ

Yeah, wanted to buggy super bad in 30mph winds and pulled out the 3 and it kicked my ass!

Quote:

Originally posted by art_lessing Has anyone ever had that moment where you get so sick of not going anywhere in a buggy that you just don't care anymore if its dangerous? DQ

So you meant to tell me that people kite underpowered?:singing:

Yeah, life begins when you're on the edge. Sadly though I've normally got to go out at the local park moderately powered, too many spectators, single line kites and other buggiers around in a small area. One accident could get us all banned.

I'm on the verge of never going back to that park again. It's boring to cruise around slowly, can't go fast safely. Doesn't seem much point to it. Best wind in town though. The only solution I can see is to build myself a little trailer and start making the 5 1/2 hr drive to seaside every second weekend.

Is it possible that you wanted to start off on too much of an angle in this situation ?
When I am very low on power I start off pointing far more downwind. Send the kite into a loop or 2 right in the power zone when it it flying fast and you are moving a bit then you can fly / carve it out and hopefully keep going by working the kite hard or ending up doing downwind type runs. At least you are moving + figuring out how to squeeze power !

Good suggestions... Yesterday Sunday 18th, went to my local beach,, winds were reported not to be so good but when I got there they were moving pretty good... Had the two meter out and was moving just ok,,, so figured, like you guys, break out the 3 meter.... good move,,, I was doing a steady 22 mph on soft sand with my bigfoot.. did 16 miles in 1hr half..... It was most likely the fastest wind I flew the 3 meter in and didn't kill myself. Now I need more speed,, if the tide was low I could have got onto the hard pack sand and can assume I would have been flying.......