New or used kite Help !

Uffe · Post by **Uffe** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 3:44 pm

Hello Everyone, got a question about kite purchase thought this would be a good place to ask about it.
I have been snow kiting a fair amount for the last 4 years now, first time was at the Red Bull kite Freeze on Minnetonka in -03. Bought a SS GTO 13m from Larry and Scuba Center then. After than I added a BEST Yarga 9m and a 20m to the fleet about a year later. Snowkiting has been my main kiting sport since windsrufing takes the priority when the lakes are not frozen.

Got rid of the old style kites about a year ago, I haven't done much waterkiting until Hatteras this October and that was my first session on water. I will say that it was a lot of fun but I still think I will be kiting more on snow than water. Now I need to figure out what kites to get since I don't have my old ones (sold them last fall).

Should I go foil or inflatable? What should I be looking at? I'd like to get by with 2 kites for now. I am roughly 200 lbs, and a strong skiier.

Any advice on gear would be great, I'm just not up to date on the latest stuff. Also, if anyone who is gear heavy has any stuff for sale I would be interested in anything that is from 06 or 07 if it is in good shape.

Thanks,
/ Uffe Des Moines, IA
USWE 22

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:13 pm

Best two kite quiver in my books is the SS T2 14m and 9m. The 14m will get you out in a fart, and the 9m goes up well over 30mph. They relaunch like no other, they are super durable and the one pump makes pumping up in the winter a breeze even with your mitts on.

I'll be passing mine along as soon as the T3s come out but that may not be till Febuary. Midwest has some good deals on them.

JRN · Post by **JRN** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:09 am

Tighe is right, the T2's have amazing range & are sweet on the snow. Best made an "all-terrain' kite that's re-inforced & 1-pump called the Bullaroo. Their 7m version is un paralleled in high winds. Now you have to buy a Nemi-Pro to get 1-pump. There are ALOT of old warroos out there that go cheap for a disposable kite to beat on the ice. Slingshot, Ozone, Flexifoils, & Montana all have sweet foils that offer good de-power, advanced safety systems, and the convenience of not pumping up, but are not for the water. Peter Lynn makes closed cell foils that CAN be used on the water, too. Ask the local reps, or watch this site for chances to try the various types, THEN decide...its hard to go wrong with today's designs.

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 1:43 pm

Uffe. How are you, haven't seen you since Padre, I hope you had a good summer.
If you have questions about the Ozone range of kites, give me a call 715 248 7643, I'd be happy to update you on the latest news about their wondersful toys.

Uffe · Post by **Uffe** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 3:48 pm

What about the Windwing Skyfoil 440 as a foil kite? Is that a good kite? I see there is one for sale in Classifieds.

I flew Woody's 10m Ozone Access several times, I really like that one. And I have also tried Larry Low boom's SS B5 in some higher winds and I like that one as well. I love going fast, not a huge jumper (yet) but want something I can grow with...

Again not counting out Inflatables either. Tried Don Altmeyer's 07 Naish Torch 16m on the water in Hatteras and that thing was nice as well.

Anyone parting with last years Ozone kites this year?

Keep me posted...

Dave Z · Post by **Dave Z** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 4:03 pm

Get Mike W's 16 Crossbow in classifieds. Given your size it's a perfect snow kite (relaunched like nothing and huge wind range) and if you decide to do the water thing you'll have one of (still) the best 16M bow kites around.

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 4:08 pm

Uffe.
It's a 3 line foil , no depower ,OK but inexpensive construction.
Better going for a 4 line sheetable foil if you can find one.
If I remember rightly you're probably 200lbs, I just heard about a 06 Frenzy 14m for sale,the big guys secret weapon, a good buy, which would be a great 10 to 18mph kite for you.
Give me a call 715 781 2474 and I'll hook you up with the guy who's selling it.

Uffe · Post by **Uffe** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:50 pm

How does the SS Ranger compare to the Ozone foil kites?

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:34 am

Similar types of kites.

Most of my experience is with the Ranger, but from what I've read from others who have experience with both is that the Ranger's performance is between the Access and the Frenzy of last year. The new 08 Frenzy pulls ahead even further, while there were not model changes to the Ranger this year. If airtime appeals to you, and you're set on foils I'd look at the Manta or a newer Frenzy.

You mentioned in your first post that you like going fast. If speed is really your thing, I'd look at higher aspect kites, both foils and tube kites. Something with a shallow draft. Unfortunately the kites that are bred for speed usually aren't as user friendly.

hope that helps

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:00 am

The Mantas supposed to be a high aspect foil, but compared to a yakusan or a flysurfer speed it's positively fat. It flies faster than the frenzy but does not have the frenzy pure grunt. You create the power from the speed.
Ozone has tweeked their foils every year trying to improve stability performance and safety. It's still their biggest selling product so obviously they can justify the money and effort to improve the kites. Obviously I'm biased as I ride for Ozone, I still think you sacrifice a little turning speed with foils compared with LEIs but the gaps getting closer and closer.
The thing I have come to really like about Ozone regardless of the kite model, is you pull the kite out of the bag, connect the lines to the only connection points, and they just work.
I'm sure there are kites that may be faster, slower, gruntier, more pop, more glide etc.etc. but if ozone says it has pop, it'll have pop. If they say it glides it'll glide. All their kites just work. Maybe not super sexy, maybe not the latest gizmo but everything will work as advertized, be well made, well thought out, well tested,not break, burst, split, blow up. etc.
For me I've come to like that reliability. I rode this whole water season with not one thing where the kite misbehaved , I didn't have one line wrap,one aborted drift launch, one broken anything. The kite I used the most was the 15m and it shows no wear ( some dirt) if I didn't have to be on the 08 stuff when it comes out I'd just use the 07s for another year or two.
So Ozone foils wear well, work well and they have been made for long enough that there's some deals out there now on used ones.

Scuba Center · Post by **Scuba Center** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 11:39 am

Uffe
I have both the Rangers and the 08 Ozone foils in stock. Call me at 612-925-4818. We have done business in the past and I will do my best to give you the best pricing possible.
Larry

RobH · Post by **RobH** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:16 pm

Hey Steve,
Who needs super sexy kites with all of us old boardheads flying them.

I have to say the Manta 2 looks pretty sweet, can you describe the jumpling capability of those compared to a LEI ? I have been considering pumping up a kite for the winter sessions instead of the foils just for the jumping and float fun, so Im curious just how close do the Manta's come ?

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:17 pm

Rob, the Manta is very like the xbow version 1. The 15m turns about the same as a 16m xbow. You jump it the same, 10 to 12 pull in the bar, and up you go.
The Manta glides like a bow.The only thing I've noticed is it takes a little more front hand preassure to keep the kite moving forweard during the jump compared to a bow.
Give me a call 715 248 7643 and I can fill you in on all the gorey details of the improvements they've made this year.

LAKAWA

New or used kite Help !

New or used kite Help !

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