Angus and I had a day that the 8.6 just wasn't enough and me made tracks with the 2 best kites we had for those winds. 18m Phantom and 10.8 Reactor II. I think the 8.6 needs 5-6 mph. The 10.8 can roll you with 3 mph less.

For strops, I just cut mine to length with a stopper knot at the end. Then larkshead the line onto the leader on your handle. Makes a tidy connection with max use of the strop length. I use amsteel always. They stopped wearing when I started using a pulley instead of hooking directly in to my harness hook.


Strop 2 by BMuse1,

BeamerBob, thanks for your input. What would you say the wind range is for the Reactor 8.6? 5-6mph up to about what for a 220lb guy? What about the upper end of the 10.8? Also, are your low end guesses for steady beach winds or inland winds? My inland winds on the low days usually range from about 4mph to 12mph up and down all the time.

What's the best/cheapest/easiest source for the amsteel strops? What's the best method for determining how long a strop should be? I'll be landboarding with a waist harness if that makes a difference...

Also, the handles that I have for my PL Twister II 5.6 have loops instead of pig tails to attach a strop to. What's the best way to attach a strop to loops?

The 8.6 can go up to about 12-13 IIRC and the 10.8 is getting lifty and sliding you with much more than 9 mph. Always size your kite for the highest wind you will get in your session. I just recently ordered several sizes of amsteel from West Marine, but also got some from another location I can't remember because WM didn't have that size.

Strop length shouldn't be longer than you can reach both handles in any turning situation. It doesn't need to be any longer than you need to be able to control the kite. I set my PB speed with a strop that wasn't any longer than 14-16" total. That kite can be steered using only the brakes though. Cut some cheap rope longer than you need and attach it and work your handles as if you are flying. Keep shortening the strop till you find a length you can reach the handles in a full push/pull turn. Make your real strop that length and go fly to try it out. You might be able to shorten the strop further with additional shorter stopper knots till you find the length you like best.

The 8.6 sounds to be about the right size for me then, thanks for the info! What thickness of amsteel is best? I see they have lots of different sizes!

I like 1/4". It is big enough for some wearability and won't cut into your wheel if you use one. I've used heavier but the knots start to get big and there isn't really a benefit.

That Gin Eskimo at only $475 is the answer ! If I hadn't promised myself I wouldn't buy more kites I would be all over that one !

Quote:

Originally posted by cheezycheese Quote: Originally posted by jcisbig I don't have any experience with Gin, what's the general impression of these kites? Gin you say....

LOL, forgot about that video Cheezy. Doing the "garbage can" shuffle @ 1:40 in that one.

First time flying the Gin Eskimo 14m in 8-12mph @ the beach 2 years ago. Biggest kite I'd flown then and pleasantly surprised with the power to jump and pull to scud in those winds.
The Eskimo is no match for a Speed3 15m in low wind, but for GIN quality and the price, it's a great 7-14mph kite for buggy, LB, or skis.

I have two Eskimo 14's and one is posted for sale here

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=22476

If you are still looking for a kite, you might want to cross the border and come fly with us at Garry Point. Pretty good assortment of kites can be found most weekends, I think most of us would let you have a test flight.
S

just to share the probably "lowest wind" session that ever happened on earth ;-)

http://youtu.be/jhvLWPYH9vI



"Wind" was max 5 knots , average around 2.5 knots. This colorful old ebay-cheapy nasathingy here has 10 sqm and flies like sh*t, but its good enough for some early-spring-first-sun-no-wind chill out skating on a parking level.

Nasa wings rule.

Susan (npw goddess)

I have an Reactor 8.3. I need 6mph to get going but I'm nearly 100lbs lighter than you are. My dilemma is exactly the same as yours other than the fact I weigh less. I'm inland in conditions from very low winds to gusty. I like my Reactor but for me it has a limited range because of my weight as the winds increase it can get scary with gusts. I've considered the big arcs but even so not great inland low wind kites. I really agree that the Nasa/NPW's are worth a look. Lots of pull, great in low winds, but not particularly lifty though. My two best options I felt were the Born Nasa Star, or a depower foil (snowkite). I just picked up a beautiful Flexifoil Sabre 2 in 9.5M from Cheddarhead for a great price. I wish I could report how it works for me but I have not had proper conditions to try it out yet. Bottom line though is that I wanted a depower for the extra safety in dealing with gusty inland conditions, yet needed a kite with power that could get me going on the low end. If I had wanted to spend a more I would have hands down been all over a Yeti in the size I would need. I felt taking a chance on a depower foil would be a good risk to take in order to solve the challenges of my conditions. I wish I could provide a full report, I'm itching to find out myself. I suspect my choice will work out nicely, but if it doesn't I know this kite can easily find a new home so I'm not second guessing my decision in the least.