Power Kite Forum

Kite needed for new landboarder

Boardridesurf - 6-10-2008 at 10:01 AM

I have been kiteboarding for a couple of years but since our conditions are not great I am only to the point of riding comfortably and staying up wind. Last year I also did some snowkiting and it went well. Now I would like to transition to landboarding and I have read so many different opinions on the web that I really don't know what type and size kite would be best for me for landboarding. I weigh 185lbs and want to landboard in light winds. Ideally I would like to be able to get going in around 6 or 8mph and I would like a kite that can be killed fully if needed. I dont know if a depowerable kite would be best or if I should just go with a 4 line kite like the HQ Scout 5m. I want something that will be safe for me to progress on but have good overall performance that I wont outgrow quickly. I dont want a kite with handles, I would only want one that comes with a bar. Thanks for your time and help.
By the way, right now I have a 3m Best trainer kite, and then SLE kites from 6m-17m but dont feel that they are safe for land usage. If anyone has a kite that would work well for my needs for sale please let me know.

awindofchange - 6-10-2008 at 11:09 AM

Peter Lynn Twinskins are what your looking for.

kiteNH - 6-10-2008 at 11:11 AM

I think you're on the right track looking for a depower foil based your experience, but they just take a little more wind. The 5m Scout would make a nice landboarding kite but that won't really get you moving in 6-8 mph. If that is the range you are shooting for then a large fixed bridle like the Blade IV 8.5 m might be the ticket. I don't have any experience with that kite but I've heard that it is a light wind powerhouse. I don't know how well that kite flies on a bar either as I think most people use handles for better control.

Lots of people fly tube kites on land but you'd again need more wind and I agree that they are probably less safe on land than an open cell foil. Especially if you don't feel safe with them on land!

PHREERIDER - 6-10-2008 at 11:21 AM

depower in 6-8mph may not happen. (perhaps a PL reactor w/ handles)

the NEO by HQ will work in about 10mph, it's a depower closed cell can be used on the water. works well in just about any application. i have flown the 11m with the land board in about 10 mph, fun, lifty too, plenty of power. never out grow this. easily get to on the water in 15mph. don't know the range of sizes but the 11m was solid for what your asking.

PHREERIDER - 6-10-2008 at 11:48 AM

Peter Lynn twinskin second that! forgot my own personal disease. careful it's spreading.

Taper123 - 6-10-2008 at 05:09 PM

A PL Phantom would work well. Go out kiteboarding on it, then come in and grab the landboard and take a run to dry off. Then tie the kite off to something with it fully depowered and drink a cold one... then repeat as needed.

Ozone Access's are great if you like to cruise, but the frenzy's might suit you better if your looking for lift.

barnes - 6-10-2008 at 05:20 PM

I've heard the twin skin light wind performance isn't that great really...for 6-8mph, I'll say it...Silver Arrow. Probably over budget, but amazing light wind, you'll be having fun at 6-8mph no doubt.

Either way, don't be to afriad of inflatos on land. I've used mine buggying with no issues, actually really liked it. The winds were pretty light then too, probably 10mph. (13m Ozone Instinct.)

Bladerunner - 6-10-2008 at 05:20 PM

All good choices but none of these will be usefull in 6-8 mph wind :no:Neither will a 5m Scout !SLE kites are EXCELLENT ON LAND :puzzled:Unless you live some place that you are riding on sharp rocks or something . What are your SLE's. Waroos and Bularoos are hugely popular on land :yes:If you can handle your 17 then your answer to a depower foil that will work in 6-8mph is the Silver Arrow $$$
Quote:
Originally posted by Taper123A PL Phantom would work well.  Go out kiteboarding on it, then come in and grab the landboard and take a run to dry off.   Then tie the kite off to something with it fully depowered and drink a cold one...   then repeat as needed.Ozone Access's are great if you like to cruise, but the frenzy's might suit you better if your looking for lift.

RonH - 6-10-2008 at 05:52 PM

I have a PL Reactor 8.3 that is great in the buggy at those wind speeds. Not as lifty as some but I'm sure it would on the board.

Dirtslide uses a Butan 7.8 to board in the same winds. Nice airtime too!

Both are fixed bridle though...

Ron

dylanj423 - 6-10-2008 at 09:51 PM

In really light winds, fixed bridles just have more power, I have noticed. I can fly my 7.7 in winds that none of my depowers will fly in. I can just work the kite, too if the wind stops for a moment. But I noticed you say no handles, this kind of baffles me because the amount of control you get out of handles is far more than any bar I have come across. And in light winds, keeping the kite in the sweet spot would be easier on handles than a bar.

speleopower - 7-10-2008 at 03:53 AM

Steady 5mph winds are pretty rare if that is what your looking at flying in then a Silver Arrow 15m+ might be your only real choice.

If the wind is a little stronger then something like the Blade IV 8.5 meter will work. Maybe a Blade III 10.5 meter.

Problem is your going to need handles to exploit the above kites performance.

Good luck-Scott

tridude - 7-10-2008 at 05:12 AM

If you have 6-17m SLEs you should be covered. Not sure what you have but you should be able to self launch and land no problem (kite monkey not required). Bularoos on land no problem. My 16 will fly in 5/6 (verified at HQ demo day, Jekkyl Island), pull in 8/9 (KGB) although its not very exciting. 16m Scorp works nicely on sand in 9/10 mph, and cant beat the auto zenith. Beware of the twinskins, once flown you'll probably sell off your SLEs. Having said that, I have a 16m Best Bularoo ready to ship in the for sale section.

Fixed bridle, 8.5/10m range..........Flexifoil Blade, Crossfire 2, PL Reactor, U Turn Butan

RonH - 8-10-2008 at 08:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tridude

Fixed bridle, 8.5/10m range..........Flexifoil Blade, Crossfire 2, PL Reactor, U Turn Butan
l


I would add the Sky Country Reflex 10 meter to that list.

Very nice kite and a great price too.

Ron

Bladerunner - 9-10-2008 at 08:27 AM

Yes, the 10m Reflex is one of the earliest performers around here. Even in low winds this generates enough power to be fun ! Very good choice but it won't be safe in 20mph winds + runs on handles again ?


Quote:
Originally posted by RonH
Quote:
Originally posted by tridude

Fixed bridle, 8.5/10m range..........Flexifoil Blade, Crossfire 2, PL Reactor, U Turn Butan
l


I would add the Sky Country Reflex 10 meter to that list.

Very nice kite and a great price too.

Ron