New Kite recommendations?

[Sonny]

Naish Cult 9M seems to be a great kite if you want to get only one kite. My friend who weighs about 180 flew it all summer. His 12M got ripped early in the season, so he rode the Naish 9M. It was such a great all-wind kite that he didn't even bother with the 12M until late in the season.

Why did he buy the 12m if the 9m will work now?

[glenn]

He didn't buy a new 12M, he sent it in for repair. After he sent it for repair he started flying the 9M all the time. It worked so well, that he didn't bother with the 12M (meaning the repair was taking a long time or something - not sure of the details). He finally picked up the 12M near the end of the season after it was fixed.
The point is...I recommend the kite for someone like G-man who is looking for a one kite quiver. I was impressed with the low-end.

[Sonny]

He didn't buy a new 12M, he sent it in for repair. After he sent it for repair he started flying the 9M all the time. It worked so well, that he didn't bother with the 12M (meaning the repair was taking a long time or something - not sure of the details). He finally picked up the 12M near the end of the season after it was fixed.
The point is...I recommend the kite for someone like G-man who is looking for a one kite quiver. I was impressed with the low-end.

But you are giving the impression that G-man can buy the 9m kite and will have no problem at 3rd this time of the year. I would be very surprised that a beginner weighing 170lb can fly 9m at 3rd most fall days.

[windhorny]

I fly a 10 rebel and would say it is as close to a 1 kite quiver as you can get. A good 15-30 range. IMO kiting in more or less isnt fun anyways.

[reyrivera]

Whatever you buy, try and stick with one design so you only have to worry about is figuring out which kite given the wind conditions.

You also probably want to stick with fewer kites with more boards, its easy to switch boards than change kites.

Once you get better, you'll figure this all out and make your own personal choice.

[glenn]

But you are giving the impression that G-man can buy the 9m kite and will have no problem at 3rd this time of the year.

Good point. I guess I misread the original question and thought G-man was looking for a one-kite quiver. But what do you mean by 'no problem'? I doubt a beginner who just had lessons will be kiting to Coyote on any size kite. The best thing a beginner can do at this point in the season, in my opinion, is get water time with the kite.

If he buys a kite size based on the wind at 3rd Ave on Septmeber 23rd, he will be needing a new kite in the spring.

[glenn]

If he buys a kite size based on the wind at 3rd Ave on Septmeber 23rd, he will be needing a new kite in the spring.

G-man, this might be the option for you. You say you are already addicted so you will be wanting at least two kites. A 7M / 11M quiver, or therabouts, might be the perfect combo for you at 170 lbs. The 11M would be great for 3rd now, and a light wind kite for next season. The 7M or 8M could be added next spring for the stronger wind.

Good luck, have fun!!!

[manplesvanuatu]

Gman,

I submit a post yesterday but it never went through..sure here I am trying to remember what I said.

I am a first year kiter myself. Luckily I found out with my skateboard,snowboard background, all of that helped me progress quickly. So although I am still a pup compared to these seasoned riders..I feel I am no longer clueless.

If I have a recommendation for you...is not to take any of the recommendation too seriously...There are too many people recommending you stuff for various reasons..some.. 'cause it benefits them (they are the manufacture reps and they want to sell) others have good intentions but since they don't kite enough at the place you want to practice I would be weary of their opinions like Sonny said. Do your homework, read forums...etc. The thing is that you need to have common sense and figure it out for yourself.

here are two things I suggest you do:
FIRST: If you want to kite at Third avenue for example...go there (even in jeans and T-shirts) and start observing what the locals do. Go stand on the launch side (stay away from interfering them though) and see how they kite, what size they use, How they launch, where they launch...etc. It is not wasted time to watch them and if you are not too shy you can ask them questions...they will answer them to you. Pays your dues...it works

NEXT: although it's too late in the season for you to do demo (well unless it's for 2009) ask the reps (or sponsored riders) to try out the demo kites if they still have them!
At third you can ask for Steve Gunn (Cabrinha), Clint (liquid force), Fadhly (if you want to try a F-0ne)...or if you can go to SF maybe ask for Stefans (Oceon rodeo) . In Alameda..you can look for the Slingshot Rep..(don't know his exact name)..

All of them will say their kites are best...My take I would not disagree with them although my take is all kites post 2007 are pretty good. Just do a little study and find out what is best for you. Not all kites will have everything on the wish list. One will have a better depower than the other but then lacks the range as the one one...for example.

In the end if you read all the ads...all manufacture will say the same fricking thing: Best depower, huge range, safest, easy to relaunch, fast turning, excellent low end...all the works. It seemed that they all cut/paste/copy the same lines and put that below a picture of the kite.

The BOTTOM line is: when you are a beginner you do NOT need all the features (because all kites will not have all of them!)

Be more concerned of easy relaunch (you are going to drop the kite more than usual), stability (you do not want the thing to swing around a lot and tea bag you) and easy to use emergency system (well shit happens..eject time:-)...cause you will need those things to learn....as you progress..you can look for all the other features in a different kite.

I hope this help

paul

[Sonny]

G-man, come see me or other locals first time you come to 3rd and we will give you some pointers about 3rd. Most of the locals are very friendly, very helpful and they are fun to hang out with at the peanut gallery.

[michael]

100% agree with Paul (manplesvanuatu).

About recommendations to get a 10m kite based on examples of someone riding 9m exclusively, and a 250lb guy on a 10 Cabrinha - that's when I agree with Paul the most:

If I have a recommendation for you...is not to take any of the recommendation too seriously...

I am 160lb and 95% of all my outings at 3rd Ave I was on 14m Waroo in 06', 13m Waroo in 07', and 12m Nemesis HP in 08'. 95%.

By the way, from what Paul wrote it makes little sense to buy a new kite. It's better to start figuring things out on cheap used kites.

And of course, don't forget to find Sonny and talk to him.