Good Trade?

Hi,
As I move to more water, I'm adjusting my quiver and considering a trade that I think is pretty good, but I could use some corroboration. My "low wind" kite is a 15m Speed 3. It's not great for Landboarding in CO winds, but it is AMAZING on the beach. I'm too paranoid to be kiteboarding in water with closed cell foils, I recently discovered, so I am buying a 12m Cronix instead for water, and am keeping my 10m Speed 4 for land / buggy. I also don't own a kiteboard (just landboard and buggy)

So the trade I'm considering is this. I've been talking to a guy on ikitesurf.com about his used 9m Peak for sale (for low wind land -- thanks, Chris) I was going to buy it, but he's in the market for a 15m Speed 3. So I was going to trade the Speed 3 for a used Peak and a used Spleene Door (or 139 session). I figure everyone wins, but I could use a head check. Anyone have an opinion? (I know you guys are typically pretty short on opinions . Am I crazy to trade a S3 for a Peak and an older (but high quality) kiteboard?

So far I love it, with a few caveats.
1) Summer winds here are crap and I've had troubles with it. I can get to to take off and fly, but then the wind drops to zeroish and it falls. Occasionally flipping and tangling lines, which REALLY sucks. That being said, most of the time I've spent with it is in winds that my other kites would not fly in at all. Can't wait for better winds to see what it really can do. Also I got it tuned up by John, so we'll see how much of a difference that makes!

2) I still have troubles packing it down. It's so big that I just don't have the procedure down efficiently/effectively. Not to thread-jack, but suggestions?

3) I have troubles with turning it in the low winds. Don't know if theres much that can be done, but I'm always trying to upturn when it gets to the window edge, and thats when I run into troubles. It's so big and teh wind is so light that it loses it's momentum, and wants to collapse. This might just be an experience issue. Not sure.

That being said, it self launches and inflates really easily. I know I'm gonna love it once I get some decent winds!

I'd love to hear what you think about the peak vs your speed.

Also why don't you like the speed for CO? Too much wind?

Quote: Originally posted by Flyfish

Keep the speed and use it on the water too! Don't fear flysurfer's on the water.

true dat !

The giant, low wind board I was talking about was a 54 Door, but I like the Session better. It'll definitely be a learning curve, but it looks badass.

My struggles with the 15m in these winds is the same exact problem you've been having, SpecialK. When there's about no wind, the Speed is too heavy/slow to turn, so it falls out of the sky. I can fly a 3-5 m fixed bridle, no problem, but not the Speed (or Venom or Pulse,for that matter). Its just too much nylon to keep moving. But when there's enough wind to fly it, the variability of the winds here make it kinda sketchy. The net result is that my "Speed 3 window" is tiny. I'm able to fly it here about 10% of the time (and I'm being generous). On the beach, water or on long open land, apparent wind takes care of all those problems, but water out here with a flysurfer is no bueno, and miles of open land are kinda tough to come by.

I say water is no bueno because here in CO, the wind dies all the time, and it's super easy to get stranded in the middle of a lake. I've seen a couple of jet ski rescues and a few guys self rescue. If I were on a speed and that happened, I could *probably* wrap it up and swim in (if I had a floaty board, which I don't ), but there's disturbingly large chance of just being out a $1K kite. I'm buying a 12m Cronix to fix this problem

I appreciate all the sage advice, but I think I am going to go ahead and do the trade. I really want a Peak, and there's a ton of overlap between a 9m Peak and a 15m Speed (and a 12m Cronix). I should probably piece it all out and I'd come out on top, but sometimes I just dig the simple elegance of a moneyless trade where everyone is psyched about getting new #@%$#!.

(There is also a little piece of me that's going to use this as an excuse to get a Speed 4 Lotus) :evil:

This is the board, BTW:

Quote: Originally posted by Kamikuza

What year Spleene? The old ones were foam core and could be folded...

I think it is a 2007 or 2008. What do you mean, folded? I assume that means you come down wrong and it just folds in half?

Quote: Originally posted by SpecialK

So far I love it, with a few caveats. 1) Summer winds here are crap and I've had troubles with it. I can get to to take off and fly, but then the wind drops to zeroish and it falls. Occasionally flipping and tangling lines, which REALLY sucks. That being said, most of the time I've spent with it is in winds that my other kites would not fly in at all. Can't wait for better winds to see what it really can do. Also I got it tuned up by John, so we'll see how much of a difference that makes

Yes. Underpowered sucks on any kite, but especially big nylon.

Quote: Originally posted by SpecialK

2) I still have troubles packing it down. It's so big that I just don't have the procedure down efficiently/effectively. Not to thread-jack, but suggestions?

I've found that if you just fold it in half with the valve open, set something on it, and wait a few, its a TON easier to roll up. Go have a beer or soda or something while its deflating, come back and its a ton easier. Oh, and its important to not rush every roll. I go back and forth between the right and left bits to make sure I'm getting a nice tight roll and I'm always happier when I do that vs. When I just hastily roll with my eyes closed. Did you watch the Flysurfer instruction video about wrapping up? It was a game changer for me.

Quote: Originally posted by SpecialK

3) I have troubles with turning it in the low winds. Don't know if theres much that can be done, but I'm always trying to upturn when it gets to the window edge, and thats when I run into troubles. It's so big and teh wind is so light that it loses it's momentum, and wants to collapse. This might just be an experience issue.

Downturn only until you and the kite are both moving. I have the same problem with upturns while underpowered on anything bigger than a 10m

I've swum in with the 21 - they float even when completely empty of air. It's a real mess at the shore though...

Quote: Originally posted by Proletariat

Quote: Originally posted by Kamikuza   What year Spleene? The old ones were foam core and could be folded... I think it is a 2007 or 2008. What do you mean, folded? I assume that means you come down wrong and it just folds in half?

Nah, just hopped over a wave and it folded at the edge of the pad.

That one in the pic has a wood core IIRC.

Rad. Thanks, Kami. That's good to know about the floating for when I'm less than a noob (and I own a Lotus 15)

Dave if you were to someday get a 15 Lotus you must promise to NEVER let me see it let alone fly it...'cause I'm already trying to resist adding a Speed 4 10 after flying yours....



Can't wait until you can get back on the water and glad your pending deal looks to make both parties happy with the result.

Jeff

Quote: Originally posted by Proletariat

I've found that if you just fold it in half with the valve open, set something on it, and wait a few, its a TON easier to roll up. Go have a beer or soda or something while its deflating, come back and its a ton easier. Oh, and its important to not rush every roll. I go back and forth between the right and left bits to make sure I'm getting a nice tight roll and I'm always happier when I do that vs. When I just hastily roll with my eyes closed. Did you watch the Flysurfer instruction video about wrapping up? It was a game changer for me.

I flew it yesterday and this helped a lot! Thanks man!


Feeling much better about it after yesterday's small session. Unfortunately my board had a flat so I was just static flying. I get the feeling these speed kite's aren't exactly the best choice for static flying. That being said it lifted me a few times like crazy. Lots of fun. I did have some issues with it ending up upwind from me by the time I was coming down from the jump. Not sure if that's because of static jumping or because i'm doing it wrong...

Either way, thanks for the help!!