Best car/truck for kiteboarding ? (besides Mark's Cobra)

Joewants2fly · Since 09 May 2008 3 Posts Kook

Hi my Girlfriend and I are moving to Portland from new york city, though I went to college in Portland, I never kited. I love parachutes, but am currently richer in time than money and though I have ground crewed a few basejumps in the gorge – I have also watched three northwest basejumpers pass away and am too in love to be bold these day – aw but craving adventure, movement, freedom – kiting looks like the ultimate - I look forward to very humbly and slowly learning the right way to fly. I love surfing so I figure why not give it a shot.
Not trying to learn over the internet

In terms of cars/trucks do you ever need 4x4 or awd to enjoy the nw kite spots- ( I see there are some nice cars on here -the cobra and ¼ mile street beasts with boost Smile

Any thoughts on a prius in terms of kiting ?

Respectfully

Mark · Fri May 09, 08 9:01 am

Being that kiting is mostly a summer sport, any car will do. However, in true NW fashion, a 4x4 or rig that can go on the beach or up the mountain in the snow is even better.

Mark
Ps some day I will take the Cobra kiting Wink

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

If you can get all your gear into it, just about anything will work... There's not too much off-roading. Maybe a little gravel here and there, but even then, most cars will make it through without a problem.

Lots of guys with Subarus, trucks, and SUVs. These days I'm liking Tucker's Civic hatch (we've put 8 kites in it along with 3 boards and 3 people - 6 kites, 2 boards, and 2 people is much more comfortable). 30-35mpg is nice for freeway cruising where you aren't going to really benefit much from a hybrid anyway... My Pilot is killin' me nowadays!

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2102 Posts PNW Bigfoot

Really most cars will work if your willing to get some sand in it from time to time. . . 4X4 is nice for some of the beaches one can drive on. . . Specially Whiskey Run a 4X4 is needed and the beach access at the Peter Iredale; Jones beach is nice when one can drive on the soft sand up to the water and launch.

Personally, I think the ultimate driving/kiting car would be a new, tricked out, 4x4 Sprinter Van. Pretty sure they get decent gas mileage and one can live inside as well as haul a butt load of shit both inside and on top.

Diggy · Since 25 Nov 2006 342 Posts Gorge to Coast Obsessed

I like my car with a Yakima roof rack system with a box and a surf board carrier. I fit all my gear on the roof (4-5 kites and 2-3 boards) leaving tha passenger seat, backseat, and trunk open for another 1-2 people and thier gear.

With gas what it is I would go for something with reasonable gas milage as you are likely to log a lot of miles unless you live in Hood River, in which case all you need is a bicycle with a cart.

I think a Prius would work fine!

~dig

EdG · Since 19 Dec 2005 425 Posts Just a Kook that's Obsessed

I got hit and totaled my Explorer last month and want a car, but with the price of gas, I'm looking at converting my Honda 450 to take to the river.... So, any thing will do as long as it can't be broken into. METH HEADS get into everything, even my old Crying or Very sad

truck. Good gas mileage is the key since the river is long.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Dude - my kite car is a 95 Geo Prizm. Its Pimpin!!

Seriously, it works fine man. I can tote myself and one other person around with all of our gear.

I like it because it gets good gas mileage.

As far as 4X4's go - you could sort of use one to reach some snow kiting spots - but to be honest, you would really need to get a snowmobile to reach the snow kiting spots that are relatively close to here. For those of us that want to snow kite and don't have snowmobiles - we have to drive pretty far away to reach some spots.

Also, consider that we got some pretty sweet snowboarding out here. My Geo Prizm also doubles as my snowboarding car. The road up to the local ski resorts never gets too bad - I have front wheel drive and I throw on some snow tires and I haven't had a problem getting up. However, four wheel drive would certainly be a bonus and would be safer. four wheel drive is an added plus but not necessary for snowboarding.

Also - Jones beach is a pretty nice place to kite. I can't take my car down to the water's edge cus I'm afraid it will get stuck, however, other kiters will take their 4x4's out there without any issues.

I like having a car with a trunk - it allows me to stash my gear out of sight. rear folding seats are also money - because you can just lay your boards down and then pile your gear up on top.

You also may want to consider getting a rocket box - or some kind of a box to put up on top of your car. I know some guys carry all of their gear up there all of the time so they never have to worry about unloading and loading their gear. The only issue with those is that it lowers your gas mileage.

Also, may want to consider if you can sleep in your car. There are some places where you may want to just crash out in your car after kiting. Places like Floras lake and Roosevelt are far away and your going to need a place to sleep (they are not day trips). Its convenient to be able to just crash in your car - its not necessary, you can bring a tent or find a place to crash - just convenient.

sleestack · Since 07 Dec 2006 184 Posts Land of the Lost Stoked

[quote="terremoto"]Dude - my kite car is a 95 Geo Prizm. Its Pimpin!!

Seriously, it works fine man. I can tote myself and one other person around with all of our gear.

I like it because it gets good gas mileage.

[/quote]

Does your car get good mileage when your hauling around your ankle weights?

ryan800 · Since 09 Dec 2007 64 Posts Seattle

All the advice so far sounds good, just want to emphasize a couple points - most cars work great for kiting, but if you want to go small, make sure it's a hatch. Even my tiny 2+2 has more than enough space for 2 people and gear since the hatch makes room to stack a few boards on top of the kites. A Prius will hold 3 people + gear easy.

Second, if you don't already, you will eventually want to ski/snowboard/snowkite, so FWD or AWD is good. I don't know if the prius would make a good snow car with all those batteries in back taking weight off the front wheels. Probably it's fine though.

I can't comment on sand driving (yet), but I assume most summer days most cars will do fine at the ocean. Driving a 4x4 around the gorge all weekend won't be fun when you have to fill it up, but I guess everything is a compromise.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

in an attempt to revolt against the Diesel gods
(it's now costing me $5 a trip)

I've been considering VW buses

but the ones for $500 and under
are pretty scary $ and ugly in the yard

Bettyboarder · Fri May 09, 08 11:47 am

Pkh and I both have Subaru's (hatchback and wagon) and they work great. Drive them on the beach for downwinders with out a problem (air down the tires a bit). If your into snowboarding/ski they are awesome in the snow.

I actually can fit more in my Subaru Legacy Wagon then most small trucks or SUV. I fit a bunk bed in my wagon that wouldn't fit in my cousins Acura MDX Laughing

I also think Rico's Element is a pretty sweet ride, not sure the gas mileage but you can fit a lot of stuff in it. Mystry Girl has a sweet little Matix that holds a ton of stuff too.

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

get the biggest 4x4 crew-cab truck you can, with a bed cover. That way all of us can pile our stuff back there and ride with you to the best spots! Smile

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

bandito · Since 07 May 2005 178 Posts Photographer

SPRINTER VAN

drive to the river, kite, sleep, kite, sleep, kite and drive home. best bang for the buck.

bandito

Diggy · Since 25 Nov 2006 342 Posts Gorge to Coast Obsessed

This is the truck you want. Plenty of room for your gear and 5 of your friends and thier gear.

I'll sell it to you for $5K, $6500 with the Wave Runner.

Makes a great tow in surf/wake vehicle for those not so windy days on the coast.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Amphibious Vehicles Rock!

The amphibious rental van is the pinnacle of kiteboarding rides:

followed closely by a pimped out 1995 Range Rover with 136K that can be yours for $7995

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth