What is the right kite for a winter novice?

[Chad_B]

Hey all I am an avid windsurfer and would like to get myself a kite for winter. It would be great to use it as a replacement for a motor powered vehicle when out ice fishing.

Any suggestions on what brand/size I should be looking at for average use? Also can I just use my current waist harness with the kite rig?

You are probably going to tell me to get lessons. Well to answer your request I have used a trainer kite on land and on water in the past. I am also, well in the past, a very avid snowboarder so I get the whole carving thing that comes with winter kiting.

Thanks alot for your feedback!

[Hunter Welles]

Alright, first you have to answer a couple more questions for us:

Do you plan on doing it during the summer at all?(if you dont, and you start winter kiting and your a windsurfer, I can almost guarantee that at some point you will want to start doing it during the summer)

What would you want to do kiteboaridng? (Cruise, jump.....)

Where will you be riding and will sheetablility matter? Like do you have a preference towards a 2 or a 4 line kite?

Do you have any preference to a Foil or an Inflatable kite?

After you answer these questions we will be able to help you out a lot more. But you have to remember, there is no kite at this point that can handle all wind conditions. Just like your windsuring sails, 1 will never be enough to ride as much as you want to.

And as far as your harness goes, you could use it, but I would say you should problably move to at least a kite specific harness, and I am personally a big fan of the impact vests, especially for the winter time. And when you do kite during the winter, always wear a helmet, a 30 dollar helmet is a lot better than brain damadge for life.

[Hunter Welles]

Oh yea, and I forgot one more thing, price range. Kites vary a ton in the price range, and as you problably guessed a nicer kite is going to be more expensive.

Buying used also is a very good option, be sure to look into that before investing into a brand kite when there are plenty of good used ones out that may not be the new upside down kite with the new 8 line system on it that people can bearly figure out how to use but it will be a good solid kite that does exactly what you want.

[Tighe]

that's a really tough question Chad. The "right" kite really depends upon how you intend to use it and how much money you want to spend.

Water and Snow then an inflatable with relaunch

Snow, cruising, and/or you can't/won't spend much then look at the 2 line foil kites like the B series from Slingshot or the Samari from Ozone.

If you want to start jumping then you're looking at a spending a bit more to get a four line foil (like a Ozone Frenzy) or an inflatable. They cost about the same. The foils are a bit easier to set up and take down, but have extensive bridles (not a big deal with a bit of line management). The tube kites take a bit more to set up, are more stable, and personally I think have more boost.

hope this helps

[Tighe]

wow I was writing mine the same time as you Hunter (I got sidetracked in the middle of writing), and our answers were very similar. Chad by answering Hunters questions, you'll get the best answer.

[Chad_B]

Thanks for the replies. Answer to your questions:

Do you plan on doing it during the summer at all?
...I think I would like to use it 2-3 times a year mostly on the days when it just isn't windy enough to use my Loft 8.4. I guess that would equal a very large kite though.

What would you want to do kiteboaridng?
...Just cruising for now.

Where will you be riding and will sheetablility matter? Like do you have a preference towards a 2 or a 4 line kite?
...Not sure the benefit here. I like simple in all aspects of life so 2 lines is fine.

Do you have any preference to a Foil or an Inflatable kite?
...inflatable would be easier to launch so probably the inflatable.

Price? ...no more than $500 and yes I would get a used one to start with. If I really get addicted then I would look at getting a new one for ripping on the water.

[Hunter Welles]

So when you say 2-3 times year, does that mean on water? Because an open cell foil is going to fill up with water if you crash it. They do make water relaunchable foils, but those start getting pricey and I personally would rather just use an Inflatable.

To answer your question on the benefit of 2 vs. 4 line kites, hmm, i guesss this is kind of hard to explain online, but heres my best explanation.


A two line kite(for a foil) has two lines leading to the bridal system.


For a four line, they have two that go to the front and two that go to the back, and the two that go to your front go to the center of your bar. These then run through the bar and down into a your harness. The back lines on a four line go to the outside of the bar. What happens that is different is now the bar can move in and out and when you do this it changes the angle of attack on the kite. This is because the front lines stay the same lenght and the back lines shorten or lengthen when this happens. So with this sheetability, if you pull it towards you then you get more power, and if you let it out then it will be not quite as powerful. This can help greatly in gusts especially.

If you are looking for a 2 line foil kite, go with the slingshot B-series problably 6 or 8 meter or the Ozone Samuri but im not sure what sizes they have.

For a 4 line foil I kite I would go with the Ozone Frenzy, and again im not sure what the sizes they are.

If your are going to go with an inflatable kite that can also be used during summer, there are tons and tons of good kites out there. Personally I like slingshot the best for my kites, and for you I would maybe try to find a used Slinshot GTO or Deisel. These are nice lower aspect easy flying kites that would work perfect for you. But like I said, there are lots and lots of other good companies that make good lower-moderate aspect kites that you would like a lot.

[Chad_B]

Thanks for the very detailed and comprehensive response!

When I say 2-3 times yes that is the number of times on water. The biggest question right now is what is the apropriate size? When it is blowing 10-15 mph is the range I am looking at filling.

[Jeff Gorton]

after spending some time on foils, I bought a 15 meter Slingshot. It seemed huge and it took me quite awhile to get up courage to launch it last winter. But I was surprised at how manageable it was, and the newer kites are even better. The 15 meter has worked great for me. In the winter its good for 10 to 15. This summer I've used it for the under 6.3 days. In the summer you might need a little bigger kite to kite in the same wind as you'd need for your 8.4 sail. For light wind summer use maybe a 17 would be a better choice. it's like windsurfing sails, you're gonna want more than one kite.

[Dave Z]

Chad - I'm still in the rank beginner/grom stage kiting-wise so here's my 2 cents. At the recommendation of an instructor I bought a 9M to start this winter then eventually bought a 14M for the 10-15 days. I've only been on water once this year. Keep in mind I'm a light weight (140 lbs) but for snow this was a good combo. Also, both my kites were used Cabrinha recons - perfect for reverse launching off snow and water. FYI - you can pick up '04 and '05 recons anywhere from $350 to $600 depending upon model and size on eBay and at neilprydemaui.com. I paid $400 each (kite/bar/lines) for mine - great deal. As far as the size(s) you would want I'm sure the gang could come up with some good recommendations depending upon weight and skill level. Jeff's correct if you're bigger you'd probably want 17+ for 10-15 days...I think Mr. Winter uses a 21M!

[Chad_B]

Thank Dave. I am medium build. 168 pounds and 5' 10".

I think somehwhere in the 12-15 meter range is what I will be looking for. I think I am ready to start looking around now. Thanks for the advice.

I am definietly getting safety equipment:

1. Helmet
2. Impact Vest
3. Possibly Football gear haha[/quote]