Is there a big difference between inflatable waterkites and the hydrofiol land/snow kites? The hydrofoil design seems to be more manuverable and the bladder on the inflatable seems like it could pop if slamed hard enough on the ice. Are these issues I should be worried about?
I have a gastra 7.5 meeter g-spot kite, which is a c-kite I beleive and a liquidforce mig 12, 12 meeter also c-kite, will one of these work fine or should I look into a hydrofoil land kite for the winter?
Snow Vs. Water Kites
Moderator: MK
Re: Snow Vs. Water Kites
your kites will work fine it's just nice to not have to pump up your kites in the cold. but inflateable kites perform better than foils. foils tend to collapse in gusty wind, they don't jump as high, and they turn slower.
doesn't mean it is bad to idea to have a few in your quiver. some days the only reason I got a session is because I had foils... i'm lazy
doesn't mean it is bad to idea to have a few in your quiver. some days the only reason I got a session is because I had foils... i'm lazy
Jon Stroh
-
steveb
- Posts: 2146
- Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2002 3:31 pm
- Location: sblain@frontiernet.net
Re: Snow Vs. Water Kites
Sorry Stroh but I've got to disagree with you a little.
SLE's still have the edge as far as jump height and length but the foils are much closer even than they were a year ago. Depending on brand the turning issues nearly gone now.A 12m foil puts out about the same power as a 14/15M SLE and turns the same if not a little faster.
The collapsing in gusts was older foil designs, for Ozone you have to go back to 05 for that to be an issue, even then it was only on super gusty days.From 06 on with Ozone in particular, and I only reference Ozone as they're the foil I ride and know, 12m and below really had solved this issue. The 06 14m Frenzy could still collapse if the wind was really on and off, mega ugly. From last year the biggest Frenzy was the 13m which has no issues, the 15m Manta doesn't collapse in any conditions, sometimes last year I wished it would.It was a pretty useful depower mechanism when things were really crazy.
So the old issues of slower turning, collapsing are really gone now.LEI's still have a slight edge jumping, but it's getting closer all the time.
For foils if you throw in, easy self launch and landing, parking on the brake, fast set up and take down, no wear from snow friction, better safeties..off being off.Additionally you now have more depower, lighter bar preassure, faster flying. The Manta from Ozone feels very sle/hybrid in it's flying characteristics. The Frenzys still a little more grunty. It's getting very close now.
It's still taste and budget and there's no right or wrong kite for snow. I just wanted to point out the old arguements against foils are getting thinner. Last year Kurt tried a Manta, he liked the ease of use, but felt he was giving up more performance than he wanted to. So there's a good example of someone who prefers LEIs. For me I don't want super boost over snow. I want controlled glide, I'm definitely a pussy when confronted with the hard stuff.
SLE's still have the edge as far as jump height and length but the foils are much closer even than they were a year ago. Depending on brand the turning issues nearly gone now.A 12m foil puts out about the same power as a 14/15M SLE and turns the same if not a little faster.
The collapsing in gusts was older foil designs, for Ozone you have to go back to 05 for that to be an issue, even then it was only on super gusty days.From 06 on with Ozone in particular, and I only reference Ozone as they're the foil I ride and know, 12m and below really had solved this issue. The 06 14m Frenzy could still collapse if the wind was really on and off, mega ugly. From last year the biggest Frenzy was the 13m which has no issues, the 15m Manta doesn't collapse in any conditions, sometimes last year I wished it would.It was a pretty useful depower mechanism when things were really crazy.
So the old issues of slower turning, collapsing are really gone now.LEI's still have a slight edge jumping, but it's getting closer all the time.
For foils if you throw in, easy self launch and landing, parking on the brake, fast set up and take down, no wear from snow friction, better safeties..off being off.Additionally you now have more depower, lighter bar preassure, faster flying. The Manta from Ozone feels very sle/hybrid in it's flying characteristics. The Frenzys still a little more grunty. It's getting very close now.
It's still taste and budget and there's no right or wrong kite for snow. I just wanted to point out the old arguements against foils are getting thinner. Last year Kurt tried a Manta, he liked the ease of use, but felt he was giving up more performance than he wanted to. So there's a good example of someone who prefers LEIs. For me I don't want super boost over snow. I want controlled glide, I'm definitely a pussy when confronted with the hard stuff.
Regional Ozone Team rider
Re: Snow Vs. Water Kites
Another advantage of a foil is it's light weight packability. If you ever want to kite in the mountains I agree with Steve. My snowkite quiver is 7.5 meter/12 meter. I weigh 168 lbs. I prefer them in the snow for convenience especially when it is below zero.
" Real living begins on the far side of despair " _ Jean Paul Sartre