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melokitegirl
Since 28 Oct 2008
396 Posts
Where the wind blows
Obsessed
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Sat Jan 24, 09 8:43 am kites for big dudes |
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I'm not trying to start a back and forth about who has a better kite. Most kites seem pretty good to me. Just curious though if there are any big dudes out there that have a preference of kite. When I say big dude, I mean 6.5 and up , 250-300lbs. - Chewbacca type. Looking for a bit more speed in the turn & performance in kites over 12 meters.
Be nice, please don't trash the manufacturers.
looking forward to suggestions & positive experiences.
Thanks,
MELo
_________________ Be kind to Kooks |
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mmac
Since 15 May 2005
93 Posts
SC
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Sat Jan 24, 09 9:31 am |
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Probably lots of good options. As a starting point, I know guys in that size range who like the Best Nemi's & North Rhinos.
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Bailey
Since 13 Apr 2008
87 Posts
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Sat Jan 24, 09 10:09 am |
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For a big guy I would say a 15m rev (fast for it's size and light bar pressure) and a nobile ext 139X 46 board should get you out in light wind and if the wind picks up you will not get blown off the water.
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NorthStar

Since 02 Sep 2008
55 Posts
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Sat Jan 24, 09 11:16 am |
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wookie s require lots of kite! a 15 Rev would be a god choice , I prefer the 07 17mtr fuel if you can find one, hands down my favorite kite for a big dude.
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Nak

Since 19 May 2005
4281 Posts
Camas
Site Lackey
CGKA Member
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Sat Jan 24, 09 11:54 am |
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He'll need a big kite & a big board. Is he a beginner? If so, he'll need a really big kite so that he can learn in lighter winds. (Sauvie Island.) 15m or bigger. Probably a 17m for lighter winds. At that weight a 15m bow or SLE will probably be good for a wind range of 15 to 25 knots, assuming a good board.
Look for a wide board with minimal rocker in the mid 140s to low 150s. Something stiff to handle the weight. Think Misfit 146 or similar. The board choice will be critical for his enjoyment of the sport. More important than the kite I think. If he has a board that will plane his weight with minimal power, it will allow him to use smaller kites. It's not just size, rocker is important too. Most boards out there are designed for riders 160 - 200 pounds. If the board isn't stiff enough, it will flex a lot. That will create a LOT of drag.
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melokitegirl
Since 28 Oct 2008
396 Posts
Where the wind blows
Obsessed
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Sat Jan 24, 09 12:10 pm |
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Great info. No, he is not a beginner. Aggressive intermediate, good athlete. He is on a LF-WLF board.
MELo
_________________ Be kind to Kooks |
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alien

Since 01 Aug 2006
114 Posts
Portland
Stoked
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Sat Jan 24, 09 12:14 pm |
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The WLF is probably a good board, I'll suggest having him check out Eclipse Thrusters as well-- extremely fast turning kites.
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Nick

Since 09 Nov 2007
164 Posts
Hood River
Stoked
CGKA Member
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Sat Jan 24, 09 9:04 pm |
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I have been seeing a lot of bigger guys go back to C-Kites because they like the power C's provide. They do not seem to have any depower problems even in gusty conditions because they are able to use their mass to depower the kite. I would get him to try a 14 or 16 Naish Torch. The Slingshot Fuel and North Vegas are also C-Kite options.
_________________ Nick Stuart
Naish |
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alleycat
Since 29 Jun 2006
176 Posts
Portland
Stoked
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Sat Jan 24, 09 10:16 pm |
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Do what I did, LOSE THE WEIGHT. Huge kites are only so much fun 250-300 lbs is just too heavy for both kiting and everyday life. Eat healthy and stop with the super-big-gulps. Don't waste your time and money on all kinds of gear trying to find the perfect combination when the solution is so simple....
_________________ It's all good |
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Moto

Since 03 Sep 2006
2698 Posts
Still a gojo pimp!
Moto Mouth
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Sun Jan 25, 09 1:29 am |
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I'm not that big of a rider - but I have to say - the 16M Vegas is a sweet kite!! Has a lot of grunt power - and if you can get one with 27M lines you can get a lot of power from swinging the kite.
If he knows what he is doing he can demo mine. I generally only bring it to Sauvies - but if he wants to try it hit me upwith a PM and maybe we can arrange soemthing.
_________________ Still rockin gojos, *ssless chaps, and ankle weights! |
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melokitegirl
Since 28 Oct 2008
396 Posts
Where the wind blows
Obsessed
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Sun Jan 25, 09 7:05 am |
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Hey AlleyCat, put away the claws. No big gulps in our house...I cook very healthy meals.He is not fat, just a big dude. Not even close to 300lbs - just put that in there in case there may be others like him. He is pretty fit for a guy pushing 50. He runs and goes to the gym regularly. Meowwwwww!
MELo
_________________ Be kind to Kooks |
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melokitegirl
Since 28 Oct 2008
396 Posts
Where the wind blows
Obsessed
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Sun Jan 25, 09 7:12 am |
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Hey Terremotto, very generous of you. He won't be back to the Gorge until May. We are going to LV at the end of Feb- maybe there will be demos there? Never been -so i don't know what to expect. Personally, I'm bringing every kite I have.
_________________ Be kind to Kooks |
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Bettyboarder

Since 18 Mar 2005
1823 Posts
PDX/ White Salmon
XTreme Poster
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Sun Jan 25, 09 9:12 am |
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Everyone is going to say which ever kite they have is the best......just have him demo some...there are lots of local reps more then willing to let him try kites.
Here are a few...please add anyone I am missing
Amery or Go to Stevenson and ask slingshot
Gregg - LF
Nick/Mark - Naish
Brian (Chooch)- Lou Wainmen
Jake (chanson)- Royal
2nd Wind and Gorge Perf have lots of demos in the summer usually.
The CGKA does a demo day in June lots of brands/sizes to try.
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wylieflyote

Since 30 Jun 2006
1648 Posts
Puget Sound & Wa. Coast
XTreme Poster
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Sun Jan 25, 09 10:50 am |
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alleycat wrote: | Do what I did, LOSE THE WEIGHT. Huge kites are only so much fun 250-300 lbs is just too heavy for both kiting and everyday life. |
This is obviously true if this feller is a tubby, but not always the case. Up here in Tacoma we've got Big Dave. Huge man, Hawaiian heritage feature, but not a fatty. Only hope for Big Dave is a 16M bow kite, a directional, or a Door. And quite a few days on the beach when the rest are out playing. But the Gorge should almost always give you kiteable days no matter how big you are. Dave is always about 3-4 meters bigger than me at 165lbs.
_________________ CGKA Member
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Kip Wylie |
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Ike
Since 12 Mar 2008
216 Posts
Central Oregon
Stoked
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Sun Jan 25, 09 1:18 pm |
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Bettyboarder wrote: | Everyone is going to say which ever kite they have is the best....... |
Everybody likes best ?
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Onad

Since 04 Mar 2005
1435 Posts
Coast<<PDX>>Gorge
XTreme Poster
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Sun Jan 25, 09 2:22 pm |
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Yep, I never left... 17m Fuel
Nick wrote: | I have been seeing a lot of bigger guys go back to C-Kites because they like the power C's provide.... |
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d.kite.bellows.1.web.JPG |
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17m Fuel.jpg |
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melokitegirl
Since 28 Oct 2008
396 Posts
Where the wind blows
Obsessed
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Sun Jan 25, 09 2:55 pm |
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Wow, what a big kite you have!
Cheers to "Big Dave" in Tacoma and our South Sound kiters!
MELo
P.S. Thanks for the demo info Betty B.
_________________ Be kind to Kooks |
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