Hello Everybody
I am new to power kiting and have flown normal stunt kites off and on for about 15 years usually only 1 or 2 times a year. Anyway I recently got into motorcycling and decided I would like to head to the beach and fly kites. So I just purchased 2 kites on ebay so I could pack them down and carry in my side cases. the regular stunt kites have the poles that do not fit in to my cases. So I was looking to get some parafoil kites that pack down small. I got a North Kiteboard Kite Rhino 18 Meter and a Pansh Legend 2m Power Kite. The 18 meter kite I won on a fluke bid. I bid it up to get it above the reserve price and nobody bid more than me. I think I got a good deal on it but It seams like an awfully big kite. Do you know if this kite is ok for kiteboarding in the water? I live in Oregon and hood river seems to be a good place to try kite boarding. Also will an old wakeboard work for kite boarding? I have a very old wakeboard from 1991 that I was thinking of using.
Thanks
Brian

Hi welcome to the forum. I dont know much about the kiteboarding but i do know that a 18M kite is large for someone just starting in power side of kites. but the 2m will be great to get the hang of it. Im sure others will chime in on the kiteboarding

Fly the 2m awhile to get used to the other dimension of having 4 lines. Then go get some professional lessons to shorten your learning curve and keep you safe when you go on the water. Your instructor can advise you about when and if your 18m kite would be appropriate for your skills and conditions. Any other path might get you undesired news coverage and familiarity with the healthcare system. At the very least, avoiding the lessons will make your training more frustrating.

Hood River is in the Gorge right? That is a major kiteboarding spot so you should have many options for getting lessons and help from local riders. The local forum is nwkite dot com.

Just please don't go down to the beach with that 18m kite until you've talked to an instructor or professional about whether that kite is appropriate for your skills and conditions. I think that they have strong winds there and that the 18m might be way to much kite, but I'm sure your local kite shop can help you out.

I was not planning on trying the 18M kite till I have some experience with the 2 M kite. I really was not planning on getting the 18M kite at all but just happen to win it on ebay so I hope to get some use out of it once I am comfortable with the 2 M 4 line kite.

Good for you but keep in mind, even when you are familiar with the 2m kite, pulling out that 18 is a big jump and that kite is a whole different breed. You absolutely must get professional help or you absolutely will get hurt or at the very least scared and frustrated.

Good News, The Rhino is a very good kite. Do you know what year it is? Does it have a 5 line or 4 line control bar ?

Bad News, You won't be flying an 18m in the Gorge. That is a low wind kite and the wind whips at the Gorge. A kite 1/2 that size is more appropriate ! If it's NOT a 5 line you really NEED to consider doing an upgrade to the kite. Better safety and way easier relaunch. Both important when learning.

No one buys 4 line C kites any more ! That is why it seemed like such a deal. Also why no one else out bid you. If it is a 2005 or older model it is worth about $150 complete with bar and lines.

Like folks said, take a lesson at the Gorge. It will be the best money you ever spent in the sport. Without it you will have a long learning curve and possibly lose interest / become discouraged !

There is a gathering of land folks at Sunset Beach starting this weekend and running through next. You should come on by and fly with us !

The North kite is a 5 line kite and it is a 2005. Can it be retro fitted to make it a 2 line kite? Have the 4 line kites just been replaced due to the control bars? or just safety.
thanks
Brian

And why on earth would you want a 2-line 18m kite:puzzled::o? If you want to get on the water please go talk to the pros (by that I mean a local kite shop that gives lessons)!

And have fun with the Legend. That should be a great kite to go out and get some practice on. Just start out in sub-15mph winds because you'll be surprised how much pull you can get out of a little foil in strong winds.

I'm fairly new to this sport but lets just say that my 8m Ace scares the #@%$#! out of me in 25 mph winds!!! Anything more than that and I have to pack up...
I live inland and rarely get that much wind. Seems to me like "the gorge" should get that consistently... Be careful don't pop that 18m up in anything higher than 10mph your first try with her!!!

I'm flyin a fixed bridle on handles on land but a kite in the air is an absolute beast. just be careful

Brian, I'm guessing your into Volkswagons? Any ideas where I can get ahold of a 181?

(sorry for the hijack)

Please do not try to fly the 18m kite without taking some lessons!!!!

It is a scary large kite and will hurt you but more importantly you might hurt someone else.

For the Gorge something at least 1/2 the size or smaller would be ok. More likely a 6 meter or smaller kite would probably be ok in the gorge. It's very windy there.

Be safe!

Scott

hi

To answer your question about converting the rhino to 2 lines, the ansawer would be no. It needs 4 lines to fly correctly and the 5th line is for safety and to make relaunching easier.

John

I think I will stick with the 2 Meter kite for now and try the 18m if I find a safe place with low wind speeds. Do most kite shops sell wind meters?

Quote:

Originally posted by TheNotoriousZ28 I'm fairly new to this sport but lets just say that my 8m Ace scares the #@%$#! out of me in 25 mph winds!!! Anything more than that and I have to pack up...

8 meter in 25! :wow: That's way over my limit. I've been tea bagged by more than one kite in 6.5 and 5m sizes in less wind than that. I can't imagine surviving that size kite in winds like that. Kudos to your kahunas. Maybe the buggy will expand my wind range. We'll see.

Quote:

Originally posted by vwbrian I think I will stick with the 2 Meter kite for now and try the 18m if I find a safe place with low wind speeds. Do most kite shops sell wind meters?

Yes, if you have a local kite dealer, he should certainly stock wind meters. You can find them on the net if not local.

What kind of wind speed can I fly the 18M in on land?

Quote:

Originally posted by speleopower Please do not try to fly the 18m kite without taking some lessons!!!!

When I read this, it reminds me of a line by John Travolta in Broken Arrow. "WOULD YOU MIND NOT SHOOTING AT THE THERMONUCLEAR WEAPONS!" The two situations are similar though.

big mistake from a 2 line trainer to an 18 C kite. Watch that video of the dumb ass in Ft. Lauderdale. You must be buying off of ebay. No shop owner would sell you an 18 c kite after a few goes on a 2 liner. But its your $$$ and health, you've been cautioned........... good luck, you'll need it..............

I wouldn't fly that kite on land AT ALL !!!!!! And I like big kites ! ( well maybe a low wind day on snow, on a dare )

If you haven't clued in yet it is about as big a kite or bigger than anyone with years of experience would fly !

On water and experienced , average sized flier can hold something like that down from about 9mph to about 14mph. A beginner shouldn't take it off of the ground. Specially if you are thinking you can fly this thing as a 2 line :duh: Please don't take this kite out until you have a much better understanding of what you have bought.

An 05 18m Rhino is worth about $150 with bar, pump , bag and lines in perfect shape. It would be hard to give it away to a person who would use it responsibly as kite only !!!!!! I have had a 16m kite from the same year for sale @ $100 for almost a year !!!! Not a single qualified taker ! I agree that the person who sold this to you is an enemy to the Sport :flaming: Could you please pop him off a note telling Him we say so :?:

I'm not sure this one was worth the shipping costs, kite only. It will potentially get you in trouble unless you get something about 1/2 that size to use 1st. Sorry to tell you that !

Start flying that Legend and keep asking questions. We are here to help you.

Quote:

Originally posted by vwbrian What kind of wind speed can I fly the 18M in on land?