I'm on the watch for a used Peter Lynn to add to my quiver so I can see how they fly / perform. I'd rather get something I can get some use out of so what sizes should I be watching for? Assuming I intend to hit the water with it and will be on a beginner board (larger than average), weigh about 170lbs and get winds around the 15-30 km/h mark...more to the low end but I don't want to size for that and get scared.

A couple things about PL's you ought to know:

First, PL's tend to perform a bit worse on their bottom end than a similar sized C-kite and about the same on their top end as a bow kite. So if everyone else is on a 14m kite, you'll probably want to use a 15-16m PL.

Second, 9 mph/15 kph wind speeds is pretty unrealistic for kiting on water with any sort of kite. You'll need more like 12 - 15 mph winds to really do much with any kite.

Third, PL's have poor bottom end. The new Synergy model is supposed to be better than previous PL's in this area, but I wouldn't expect a huge improvement over prior PL's. For super light winds (less than 12-15 mph) you'll likely want a Flysurfer or inflato. When the wind picks up to 15-18 mph, that's when your PL will start to shine.

Where PL's performance is superior IMHO is: in air stability, durability, gust handling and high wind performance.

Another thing you ought to know is that learning how to kite on the water in light winds is many times more difficult than in stronger winds. If you want to learn how to kitesurf, you'll need to wait for those days when the wind is over 15 mph and size your equipment accordingly. Don't even think about trying to learn on days that are blowing less than that as you will either become frustrated or injure yourself. Have you considered taking a lesson or two at a kitesurfing school?

[Edited on 3-5-2008 by bigkahuna]

Thanks so much for taking the time to share Kahuna. I've got this burning desire in me to try a PL so maybe I'll just try to get my hands on one without worrying about getting one specifically for the water. It'll certainly make it easier to find since I don't run across them that often on the used market.

Regarding lessons - yes, I'm just torn by "where". I had thought about heading to Vancouver but that's a 12 hour drive and the risk of no wind is very real. My snowkite lessons got skunked due to too much wind and they've yet to reschedule me so I don't want the same to happen on the water. I had thought about making a trip of it and heading to Hood River but that seems rather extravagant. Trouble is the local scene here is tough and of the two guys I've heard of that offer lessons, one has moved away and the other one isn't high;y recommended (not sure why). Snowbird offered to help me out if I can get out there which is great but I'm still faced with a 12 hour drive.

Then the rational wife says, "But if you took the lessons locally, could you not then spend the money you'd save on more gear?" I think she really meant I could take her out to dinner and buy her a pair of new shoes - one of her addictions ; )

What about Calgary ?? I think Jeff at kitesource.ca offers lessons. You may have to go to Keho lake but it's closer than Van !!

That's true....I should get in touch with him and see if the winds have a margin of predictability down there.

I will.

I'm out of touch with Alberta, never even heard of Keho when I lived there but I understand it runs on thermals so is pretty reliable.

Thermals or not It's near Lethbridge so it must be windy 24 / 7 / 365

Out snow kiting last week at the annual Mille Lac Kite Crossing, there was a guy on a 14m PL Vortex. Winds were light - maybe 8-10 with lulls around 6. He was able to keep the kite in the air, but couldn't get squat for power. On bows or depower foils from 11-14, people were moving OK.

My 9m GII Iis great fun, but totally frustrating unless you have a steady 10+ mph, and at that low speed you have to work the kite. It rocks after about 15 mph. And I'm only 127 lbs. I've felt fine on it in conditions where I'm also fine with my 3m Brooza. Maybe it's like a the range of 3-5.5m medium aspect foils. I remember Kahuna thinking the bigger GII's are dogs, and he may be right. The 9m steers quick enough, by virtue of being small. And the stability is awesome. Never used it on water, only snow. Want to use it with my buggy this year.

krumly

Quote:

I remember Kahuna thinking the bigger GII are dogs, and he may be right.

The Guerilla II 22m was a dog. Slowest turning kite I've ever flown, poor depower / range and had marginally more bottom end than a Guerilla I 18m. The other, "medium" sized Guerilla II's were notorious for having less bottom end than the Guerilla I's. From what I recall from other users, the small Guerilla II's (like yours) were great high wind kites.

For lightwinds on land, an open cell foil is probably the way to go. On the water, I've been happiest with inflatos.

Hey Kelly,
Too bad the wind is not going to show up at Gull Lake this weekend. I've got a 13m PL Venom II that you can try. I bought it just after freezeup and haven't had the right conditions to try it much yet. It is kind of big to hang to dry in the house if it gets snow packed in.

PM me if you are heading down to Calgary when the winds are forecast 20+ kph. Maybe we could meet at Sylvan or Gull if the snow holds on 'till Easter.

Bill

Gord Campbell also does lessons at Keho lake.

www.highasakite.ca