A noob who was suckered in

DangerDave · Since 17 Jun 2012 11 Posts Portland,OR

Hey guys my name is Dave and I just registered with NWkite today.

I am one of those noobs you read about who bought used gear without consulting a professional first. I was totally suckered in! I am glad I am learning this lesson before getting hurt..

Anyways, can some of you guys give me a hand in the right direction?

I am a experienced paraglider, and I have 2 full summers of land boarding with a 3m traction kite so I have a little bit of knowledge of the sport. I decided to take it to the next level and purchases some water kite gear. The seller of course made it sound like the gear I bought was perfect for beginners but because I am a noob and bought the gear before researching, I am now left with out dated, unsafe gear.

I purchased

All 2003 Naish Virus kites
2.5m
5m
7m
9m
11m
14m

I didn't realized these were 2 line kites when I purchased them.. Without the depowered option, I am VERY hesitant to even bother trying 2 line kites on water.

As I understand, 2 line kites are almost impossible to relaunch from water, they are unstable, and unpredictable with the change in wind speeds because of the lack of depower options.

I am looking at either selling them ( to someone that has done their research on these kites) or if possible,turning them into 4 line kites.

My questions to you guys is,

Is it possible to turn these kites into 4 line kites?

What would you estimate the value of those kites to be? (I cant find any info on the net about the kites, this scares me!)

I pretty much used all the money I had to purchase this gear so unless I can sell the gear or trade for more appropriate gear for a beginner, I am stuck with the setup..

What would you recommend I do? I would hate to destroy the kites and be left without money or a kite, I dont have any more money to put into the sport at the moment (damn craiglister took it all!) and I am dreaming of the day I can take this sport to the water!

Thank you so much for your time and understanding...

Danger Dave
(Not that Dangerous)

mitchl3000 · Since 19 Jul 2010 67 Posts

sorry to say dude. best bet is selling them but i doubt anyone would buy them. dont try and turn them to 4 line kites. that sounds super sketchy even for an experienced kiter. save up more money and buy newer ones.

Nak · Sun Jun 17, 12 9:49 am **Re: A noob who was suckered in**

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

Send them here to live on as bags..... http://nicetimebags.com/

DangerDave · Since 17 Jun 2012 11 Posts Portland,OR

Ouch! That's a tough blow! Especially since I had to talk the wife into letting me buy the gear and if I tell her it was a waste, she will just tighten that ball and chain. I will ditch the 4 line idea and try to sell them to buy a newer kite. If I could only afford enough for 1 kite, what size would you suggest? I will be staying away from high chop and windy days, most of my riding will be at Detroit and Portland area, I am 5,11 and 210lbs.

I advance pretty quick in most sports. I have over 20 years of snowboard experience, and I have a few years experience in wakeboard, landkiteing, paragliding, jetkiing and boating. I am looking to just cruise around for now but because of my past, I have a feeling I will be wanting the big air tricks in the near future.. I know the 2 line kites are not meant for air tricks but would you say they will be just fine for cursing, or is that just another stupid idea of mine?

Would it be stupid to think I should just use the kites for the summer and then move on to more safer, advanced kites? As a paraglider pilot, safety over fun and adventure is first priority, so if its a serious risk and a high probability these kites will get me hurt due to the lack of depower option, I will not bother..

Boy this was a stupid move on my part!

I paid $500 for a complete setup,
All the kites,
1 twin tip board in great shape
1 7' directional board in great shape
waste and seat harness,
wetsuit,life vest, gloves, booties
extra lines, parts, tons of travel bags
and 2 bars, 1 small and 1 large....

I would hate to snoop so low to ask, but someone please give me some positive insight on this! I couldn't sleep at all last night, worried that I made very stupid purchase.. Embarassed

Thanks again for the help. You guys are probably saving me more $ and time away from the ER room...

Dave

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Convert them to four line and go for it!!!

(sarcasm)

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

The other stuff is almost worth the purchase price, so tell the wife you did good. Nak is right, the kites are less than worthless, i.e. a real liability to anyone.

If you want to donate the kites, I do repairs and always need material, I'll give you a gererous credit toward future repairs. (You'll likely need at some point.)

So pony up and buy a 9m, or 10m kite of the last two years. You should be able to get one for 3 or 4 hundred.

You'd be better off spending that money on a lesson. Fly their kites for your first time, learn the safety aspects of the sport.

Your fellow kiters would appreciate a new kiter that is safe and responsible.

p.s. you can often save hundreds on purchasing a kite thru the school, so choose carefully.

Dangler out!

DangerDave · Since 17 Jun 2012 11 Posts Portland,OR

Perfect advice! And I am excited to hear that the gear alone is almost worth the paying price. My wife will be too..

After talking with you guys, I emailed the buyer back and respectfully told him that he sold me junk. He agreed to buy the kites back for $250.. I will be left with the extra gear that can be used with the new kite I pick up..

I will sell them back and move on from this mess.. Thanks again for all the advice!

Dave

Dern · Since 11 Jul 2010 545 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

DangerDave · Since 17 Jun 2012 11 Posts Portland,OR

Sweet deal! I was stressin hard about this one... All the gear is in great shape! The man went and spent $6000 on gear back in 2003 and only used the gear once in a while..

My only issue now is getting the kite to power all this gear. I would love to have a full quiver but that's not going to happen with my price range.. I can come up with maybe $350 at the moment, is it possible to find a kite that would fit me and my skill level for that price? I dont want to be stuck with buying outdated, dangerous kites but I'm afraid that's all I can afford.

Thanks!

Dave

Bettyboarder · Sun Jun 17, 12 11:24 am

Get your $250 back for sure....Kiteboarding is very expensive so if things seem like a good deal they usually are not.

Dont buy anything else just take some lessons

DangerDave · Since 17 Jun 2012 11 Posts Portland,OR

Whats the cost of lessons? Like I said before, I have some experience so I will not be one of those students that takes a while to get the hang of things.

Are any instructors located in the Portland area that you guys recommend? I am going to Detriot lake on the 4th and would like to find a instructor that can work with me between now and then , and would be willing to let me use some gear down in Detroit for the week..

I may be pushing it by thinking this is possible but that's why I am here talking with you guys, to find the reasoning behind my ideas.. Wink

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 599 Posts Addicted

get your money back from the seller if you can fershur, but please dont sell this gear if it falls through. If you do, we'll be hearing this from someone else. THe likelihood is that the next person wont have been an experienced paraglider but will be a potential grease spot.

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Detroit Reservoir?

It has been many years since I waterskied there... and I remember "deadheads" in the shallows. All your concerns about kiteboarding equipment are miniscule compared to the risk of getting dragged head first into one of these hazzards.

Can anyone here give him information and advice about this place?

Sorry for sounding a false alarm if we are not talking about the same place, or if there are no longer any submerged stumps or other hazards, there.

Blaine · Since 06 Aug 2010 96 Posts

or send them here to be turned into bags.
http://www.facebook.com/SewSwell

DangerDave · Since 17 Jun 2012 11 Posts Portland,OR

You are correct about Detroit reservoir. The lake's bottom is covered in tree stumps. The core of engines that built the lake left fallen trees and stumps when clearing most of the lake. In the dry summers when the water level is low, you can see the stumps sticking up at the north side of the lake near the marina where the lake is at it's shallowest. From the past 3 years of going there in July, the water level was 6 feet+ above these stumps.. I figured I would take my ski boat out there and do a little research before trying to kite it.. Other then the variable winds, island windshadows, traffic, and the deadheads, is there anything else I should know before trying to kite Detroit?

The buyer agreed to buy the kites back so I will be going this route.

Is it realistic to think I can start lesson and get enough advice ride Detroit by July? This is the only multi-day vacation I can afford this year. That's why I am so focused on kiting Detroit.

Any advice on instructors in the Portland area?

Thanks again for the time and help!
Dave

surfboy1968 · Since 17 Jun 2008 222 Posts south padre island Stoked

Send them here to live on as bags..... http://nicetimebags.com/

She makes awesome bags and stuff..... She can custom make anything you want....You should definitely have her make something so you can remember Smile