Parafoil / Power / Traction Stunt Kites

[Rusty Heap]

Anyone into Parafoil Kites, power and traction kites. Big Boy Toys.


I'd like to talk solely about Soft ribbed Parafoils, and NOT rigid boom twin line or quad line stunt kites.


The Parafoils have some severe pull. I've flown a guys beginner 1.8 or 1.9 meter wide foil, and it had some "shocking fun, decent" pull in 20mph beach winds, but I'm thinking a 2.8 - 3.0 meter wide or maybe a 4.0-4.1 meter foil would be bad-asss.. Most of the time I'm in 5-10, maybe 15 mph max winds.

I've got 15+ years on tons of different rigid boom stunt kites, both in twin line and 4-line Revolutions.

I want some pull and get drug down the beach......maybe the 4 meter kite would be an intro to Buggy's.?


Any advice? Several good power foil kite websites out there, but most those guys have years of experience and 5-10+ meter kites for snow/buggies/surf riding, which would be too much for a novice foil power traction kiter like myself.

I like the idea of twin handles, not a bar, and would welcome wrist strap kite killers to depower the kite if ****tt gets scary.

As a bigger guy 250 pounds, would a 4.0 meter be too much in a 4 line so you can control it? or stick with a 3 meter.

I really like the 4 line option over twin lines.........to brake and flare the foil angle of attack and control the "throttle"


Several beginner but "intermediate" foils I'm looking at are:

HQ Alpha 3 5M Foil Kite New Complete Quad Line Foil Kite Ready to Fly | eBay

Peter Lynn Twister IIR 4 1M Power Traction Kite New Complete Ready to Fly | eBay


and then the old "you get what you pay for motto...." there is the $40 and free shipping made it china 3.0m kites.

2 5M Daul Line Parafoil Parachute Stunt Sport Power Kite Blue Fly Tool Line New | eBay



A forum I've found a wealth of info on...........but I don't know if I'm ready to drop $200-$300 or more on a kite I may only fly a couple times a year.


I DO love my twin line rigid boom stunt kites......, these aren't "toys".....

Great info at this kite forum website, but I wanted a Pelicans mere mortal perspective:


Power Kite Forum : Kite Traction Sports Community

[porsche4life]

Idk the first thing about kites like this, as it's way too windy for em in ok.... But they look cool as hell....

[Rusty Heap]

Nope young Skywalker, you just need a smaller sail in OK , you'd start with say a 1.2-1.5 meter (as in width)


More wind = smaller sail in square feet. Lower winds = more lift/speed/power and a bigger sail will loft and set you down easier/gently

Serious power. Not a kids Walmart kids kite.

You can move up to buggys and ATB (all terrain boards) with 5-6-10 meter, 20-30 foot wide sails.

Serious air time.




extreme offroad kite buggy - YouTube

This Addiction - Freestyle Kitelandboarding - YouTube

[Rusty Heap]

From my first power kite flight............dammitall these things are fun and powerful, they'll leave you shaking for hours and sore for days.....


As a scuba dive instructor, I love how the graphics look like a Manta Ray in Flight.....

another video of what my 3.3 meter, yes 10 foot wingspan kite can do in strong winds.........no this isn't me, and yes note the need for a helmet.....check out the lift and over-power on this guy.

Cerf volant de traction - Landrezac le 06 Septembre 2011 - 2 - Vidéo Dailymotion

[Zeke]

Sorry, a 30 second loud commercial prevents me from watching that.

[Rusty Heap]

that's okay Zeke, we all don't read all your loud posts either...........

almost 28,500 for you.


grins

[Rusty Heap]

Jesus loves you so he invented VIMEO with no commercials............

power kite + buggies on the beach = fun.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I know it's not cool enough for this thread but most of the time when I want to be dragged around I fly a Rev Blast.



It's a lot more fun to fly than the HQ Beamer V 4.0 that I have. That thing is just work, and not a lot of maneuverability. Plus, yeah, sometimes it tries to kill me.

[Rusty Heap]

The revolution kites are super crisp accurate and maneuverable in the right hands. I've got a older smaller Rev and I totally suck at flying it.

I saw team I-Quad do this performance live at the 2012 Oregon Coast Kite Fest in Lincoln City., synchronized Rev's flying is stunningly beautiful and well worth watching the full length video here:




P.S., let me know if you want to sell your HQ Beamer 4 meter........I can paypal and PM me if interested.

[Rusty Heap]

If anyone wants a perfect late summer play toy that'll make you grin like a little school kid, my foil is up for sale........


Slippery Slope, grins


since this last post, I've bought about 6 other new power traction foils, so this one has to go.



Sale on like new 3.3m Buster Soulfly


The Classic perfect beginners trainer kite.

in Answer to the common "What should I get for my first or 2nd foil kite to feel some forgiving power?"

up for sale:


Like new Buster 3.3m Soulfly.

Great Kite at an affordable price.

Maybe 8-10 flights only on sandy beaches?


Complete sub-parts:

Kite Manual,
Twin Metal Anodized stakes with belt holder
orange sand bags never used,
Carrying Sack with shoulder straps.

Guaranteed tangle free lines and handle set, (perfectly wound figure 8 style on a custom molded sock......grins)


Buy Kite, Deploy, Sail, You Big Smile



$165 shipped CONUS.


paypal works for me.



4 foot fluorescent bulb for scale

[BlueSkyJaunte]

What did you move up to?

[John Rogers]

Back in the 90's I made a bunch of inflatable kites and we used them to pull our sand buggies around. Here are a couple and I felt they should make you laugh a little while zipping along.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

John, your creations have given me the idea that someone needs to make a Flying Spaghetti Monster kite!

I've mostly retired from my hard-pulling kite days. Too dangerous when there are rugrats underfoot.

[John Rogers]

Well with the little ones, make a large enough kite and a basket for them to sit in so they will be out of the way. This "Cody War Kite" could lift 300# and took 6 very large people to pull it down! 25 foot wing span, 1 1/2 inch 6061 T6 aluminum frame and the box sides are 5 ft x 5 ft. Flew it on 10,000 pound tri-strand line. I would have to call the FAA in San Diego when we took it out to Mission Bay Park!

[Rusty Heap]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

What did you move up to?

Just have built up my Kite Quiver on both sides of the 3.3 meter of sail.








1.7m NewTech Thunderfoil II
2.3m Peter Lynn Vibe II
2.6m Peter Lynn Viper S
3.0m HQ Beamer Gen IV
3.3m PKD Buster SoulFly
3.9m Peter Lynn Viper
6.8m Peter Lynn Viper S



short video of me flying my stuff. Slippery Slope, after 2 years I honestly really love flying my foil kites!