Hi. I'm an intermediate flyer with a 5.0 radsail. I kite on my mountain board along the beach in 15mph winds. It would be nice to get moving in winds from 7-12mph too. I weigh 140lb.

My question: Is the blade 8.5 going to be too strong of a pull in 7mph to 12mph? I want a good controllable pull and a kite that I can land safely by myself. I'm thinking about getting a blade 8.5 but I am afraid it may pull too hard. I would go for the 6.6 but the store I want to buy from is sold out of it. It would also be nice to try some jumps since I don't get air on my 5.0 radsail.

Also, I will be kiting around pedestrians so I need a kite that is really controllable to avoid hurting anyone. With that in mind, do you guys think 8.5 is just too strong and big for me?

If not, I would really love to get it. If it does turn out to be too strong, I can take a loss and resell it.

Is this Blade IV?

The Blade 8.5 should be fine in 6-10 mph before it gets pretty strong. The 7-12 mph you describe would be fine for the 6.5. Just remember, the larger the kite, the smaller the prcatical usable wind range.

You do not say where you are, but your local shop should be able to re-stock the 6.5 in 48 - 96 hours, if that is what you really want

BRoc PKF member weighs about the same and has a Blade 3 8.5 for low wind days. Shoot him a U2U and ask his opinion. I owned a B3 8.5 and although it was a nice kite, it was alot of work to keep her flying (21 feet of ripstop from tip to tip). Personally with a larger wind range, and your weight, Id go for the Blade IV 6.5. I can board with mine on grass in 10 to 12 mph, on packed sand 8 to 10 mph and maintain control up to 18/19 mph (stropped). Faster and more stable than the B3 with the adjustable AOA bridle and built in cross over lines. It turns fast, and on a dime. I weigh 185 lbs. The sweet spot though is def 13 to 15mph on land or sand. Good luck and hunting......................

B-Roc in the hizzle

Tridude is right. I weigh 145#s and still own a 8.5 Blade III. On grass, I can get going around 6mph and the kite can get to be a bit much around 10/11 mph. On snow I've skied with it up to 18mph but there was a serious base for carving and I was over powered.

To be honest, its my least used kite. I generally fly my 7m jojo because it is more predictable. Rare are the occassions when inland wind is light and smooth. Usually its light to dead or light as in lulls followed by gusts. It is a lift monster and it will get you going pretty early and it will generate more lift than you think it should be able to in 7 mph.

For me, its sweet spot is likely 7-9 mph. Great kite for when you need to get out in low winds. I just don't often have low winds that are consistent.