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Gear Purchasing Advice

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Created by pablokite > 9 months ago, 28 Jun 2017
pablokite
4 posts
28 Jun 2017 12:12AM
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Hi,

Before I ask my questions, I will tell you my story so it is easier to understand my concerns. I just got into kiteboarding a few weeks ago, and last week I took around four 2-hour lessons at a local school of mine. I live in Miami, so the wind is nice but not extremely strong:

www.windalert.com:443/spot/43751

So I finished my last lessons, still struggling with the water start but nothing practice can't solve. My instructor told me I could purchase my gear now and come anytime I want and just pay for a supervised session, which is where I get to practice on my own but pay a small fee to have an instructor look after me in case anything goes wrong. I thought it was perfect because I need to get a lot of hours of practice to get my water start perfected without having to pay more lesson rates, which is around $100 per hour. My instructor advised me to go to the company's (the same company that provides the lessons/classes) local store. He advised me to get an 11m kite as well, due to my size, weight, and the local wind pattern, which is 120lb (55kg) and a height of 5'11'' (1.78m). Therefore, yesterday, I visited my local store and got a quote on the price of a complete gear set:

- 2017 Cabrinha switchblade 11m ($1739)
- Cabrinha bar ($579)
- NPSurf waist harness ($120)
- Leash and spreader bar ($160)
- Used board with straps ($200) I forget the measurements of this one, but the person at the store told me it was my size
Total (with tax): ($2785)

I really like the switchblade because that is what I have been practicing on during my lessons. However, I can't afford a set of $2785. I am trying to stay under $2000, since I have already spent $1000 on lessons. Now, I came out of the store a bit disillusioned that I couldn't get a deal I wanted, but continued researching throughout the day. I will list the other deals I came across, which I would greatly appreciate if I could get some feedback on whether they are a good path for a beginner to take.

1)
Through Craiglist, I ran into a guy that lives a two-hour drive away from me, but has a 2017 Cabrinha switchblade 11m demo kite, which he says only has 10 hours of use and will sell it for $1000. This seems to me like a promising deal, but as a beginner I am a bit skeptical of used kites because I am not sure if I could inspect them properly to determine if I am actually getting a decent kite. Is it worth it to drive there to buy this kite in your opinion?

2) I found this deal on eBay:

www.ebay.com/itm/CABRINHA-Switchblade-2017-11m-with-Bar-/172745018130?hash=item283867cb12:g:SCoAAOSwN2VZTRjp

Same kite but with the bar, both new, at a price of $1500. I contacted the seller and he responded he can't guarantee a warranty. I was advised to buy only new from the internet, but is this a deal worth it? If I'd gone with deal #1, I would have bought that demo kite for $1000 and a new bar for $500, so it'd be relatively the same. However, it is a little bit scary to spend so much money on an online item. What do you recommend?

3) I found another person within a two-hour drive that will sell me a $1100 Cabrinha 2017 12m used kite, used like 4 times due to being a demo kite, but he will be willing to meet me halfway, so around a one-hour drive. Nevertheless, I am not sure if a 12m kite will be too overpowered for a slim guy like myself.

4) There is another deal on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/232377936759?ul_noapp=true

Selling a Cabrinha 2017 10m kite for $1000. This is very similar to the deal #2, but this one is a 10m. I am not sure if I want to go a meter below what I was recommended, besides that it looks like a good deal. I contacted the guy and he never used it and is selling it because he lost interest.

5) I saw another post of Craiglist of a person that lives within my local area and is selling a "brand new 2017 SLINGSHOT Z-KITE 11M with bar -$600.00." This deal seems way to cheap to be true for me. I could always ask him to inflate it up and show it to me in a nearby beach, but I am concerned I won't be able to tell if it is a good kite. Do you guys think this is too cheap to be that good?


Those are the options I have considered so far. I think the kite is my greatest concern, because I plan on getting the bar, harness, and leash brand new. The kite and board I am open to get used, but I want to make sure I don't waste my money on something that will end up breaking. I am seeking your advice because I feel I don't know anyone else who can give me an unbiased opinion. I have contacted several local schools and local shops, but of course they will recommend me their brand new products, which seem amazing but not affordable for me.

Thank you so much for your feedback,
Pablo.

Rails
QLD, 1370 posts
28 Jun 2017 6:46AM
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Mate, I trashed my first 4-5 kites learning, didn't pay more than $500 for any of them.
Bought new kites first in 2015, after 8 years of kiting I don't drop them much anymore.
Recommendation: buy something you are not going the be worried about crashing, or flying into a ??

anything after 2009 should be fine for safety

ps. 11m sounds a bit big for 55kgs

toppleover
QLD, 2033 posts
28 Jun 2017 7:15AM
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I wouldn't buy secondhand if you don't know much about kites, unless you have a friend to help.
If you do decide to buy new, have a look at the Element5 from Switch - built tough, lifetime warranty & affordable.

pablokite
4 posts
28 Jun 2017 7:25AM
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Select to expand quote
toppleover said..
I wouldn't buy secondhand if you don't know much about kites, unless you have a friend to help.
If you do decide to buy new, have a look at the Element5 from Switch - built tough, lifetime warranty & affordable.


I have been recommended Switch kites. However, do you recommend these kites for beginners like myself? Also, I checked them out and as of now they are out of bars. Also, how do you guys feel about purchasing kites on eBay, like the ones I posted.

Richoa
NSW, 478 posts
28 Jun 2017 10:05AM
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5) I saw another post of Craiglist of a person that lives within my local area and is selling a "brand new 2017 SLINGSHOT Z-KITE 11M with bar -$600.00." This deal seems way to cheap to be true for me. I could always ask him to inflate it up and show it to me in a nearby beach, but I am concerned I won't be able to tell if it is a good kite. Do you guys think this is too cheap to be that good?



I think if you can inspect this kite you should trust your eyes and common sense. Get him to pump it up, shut off the struts clamp, leave for 15 minutes then unclamp, if it sucks air upon release there is a leak somewhere, do this with each strut.
canopy as a new kite 2017 should be crisp and at that age basically look unused. Stitching should not be pulled or broken.

The manufacturers write up on this kite has it focused on beginner kiter so seems a good deal for you.

CJ2478
NSW, 482 posts
28 Jun 2017 11:25AM
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The switch kites are good value mate. The element would be a good kite to learn on and they're tough. Lots of people learn on the 3 strut equivalents of other brands such as cab drifter, RPM, dice, etc. Also if they don't have the switch bars in stock go and get a cabrinha bar (or any other low-v bar (most big brands except North), the cabrinha bar is my favorite and i ride it on a switch kite). The switch bar has some reviews which allude to a few minor issues, but it's still an excellent bar for the price.

Unless your a huge n00b I wouldn't buy a beginner specific kite like the Z kite. You won't get good resale and you will outgrow the kite. Much better off getting an all round kite like the Element 5, dice, switchblade, etc. The switchblade would be good to learn on (i learnt on one) and you shouldnt outgrow it (King of the Air was won by Nick JAcobsen on a switchblade).

If you're in and around Miami there should be plenty of second hand kite options that you are able to go and visually inspect. Make them pump it up and check that it holds air. Check the condition of the pigtails, this is a good indication as to how much the kite has been used. There is a good guide here on seabreeze about buying second hand kites and what to look for. Plenty of people get into the sport by doing this and going to check it out alone, just do your research first into what to look for. This is all the same process you would go through when buying a car, and the process described by Richoa above on finding leaks is a good one.

As for everyone ruining the kites they learnt on, I personally did not experience and know of many others that also didnt. I think most damage is likely to happen launching and landing as a beginner so make sure you have people around to assist in the launch and land. The other likely way to damage your kite if you're learning in the surf is if you crash it and a wave hits it. In this situation depending on the size of the wave, damage can be minimised if you pull the safety and then swim towards the kite (not too fast that you get tangled in the lines) so that the force of the wave doesnt blow out your canopy. If you end up in the scenario I just described hopefully there are no swimmers or surfers nearby to get tangled in your lines. Also for this reason make sure you have a hook knife in your harness. Small waves will still allow you to relaunch the kite, so you will need to use your own judegement here.

kitepac81
NSW, 61 posts
28 Jun 2017 2:21PM
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New bar and lines slingshot if possible (800 lb lines ),, next a nice second hand twin tip roughly 400 ish and and then a kite a year or two old 800 ish and a new harness also a life jacket impact vest and done no need for brand new gear as previous posters said it will most likely cope a beating and lastly have fun good luck

NorthernKitesAUS
QLD, 1061 posts
28 Jun 2017 2:48PM
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Select to expand quote
toppleover said..
I wouldn't buy secondhand if you don't know much about kites, unless you have a friend to help.
If you do decide to buy new, have a look at the Element5 from Switch - built tough, lifetime warranty & affordable.


I am surprised this got green thumbs. If you don't know much about kites, secondhand kites are way better to trash around than new kites. You did mean new kites, right?

@Pablo amigo, go to kiteforums.com, which is a US based Kite website and there are plenty of good deals there for 11m kites. But since you're under 60kg, I would recommend a 10m or less kite size. A 9m for you will be more than enough in winds up to 22-25knots. Get a 12m for light wind days (below 13knots). Oh and stay away from foil kites, ram air kites, C kites or any kites that are not like the Switchblade. Switch kites are good.

toppleover
QLD, 2033 posts
28 Jun 2017 7:23PM
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Select to expand quote
NorthernKitesAUS said..


toppleover said..
I wouldn't buy secondhand if you don't know much about kites, unless you have a friend to help.
If you do decide to buy new, have a look at the Element5 from Switch - built tough, lifetime warranty & affordable.




I am surprised this got green thumbs. If you don't know much about kites, secondhand kites are way better to trash around than new kites. You did mean new kites, right?

@Pablo amigo, go to kiteforums.com, which is a US based Kite website and there are plenty of good deals there for 11m kites. But since you're under 60kg, I would recommend a 10m or less kite size. A 9m for you will be more than enough in winds up to 22-25knots. Get a 12m for light wind days (below 13knots). Oh and stay away from foil kites, ram air kites, C kites or any kites that are not like the Switchblade. Switch kites are good.



I do agree that secondhand is the way to go for a new kiter but only if they have an experienced mate that can help them out to buy one - Or they buy from a shop.

I helped a mate out to buy his first kite a while back & the amount of crap that is out there makes the mind boggle.
I found a kite here on SB that sounded perfect for him & he bought it on his own as I was busy. Anyway long story short, the bar had NO safety - only way to ride was suicide!!! (Saftey had to be hooked to trim line just above CL)
Also the main inflation valve was fecked, air p1ssing out everywhere.
I had to personally ring the seller & guilt him into refunding the cash.

Chris_M
2128 posts
28 Jun 2017 7:06PM
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Select to expand quote
toppleover said..

NorthernKitesAUS said..



toppleover said..
I wouldn't buy secondhand if you don't know much about kites, unless you have a friend to help.
If you do decide to buy new, have a look at the Element5 from Switch - built tough, lifetime warranty & affordable.





I am surprised this got green thumbs. If you don't know much about kites, secondhand kites are way better to trash around than new kites. You did mean new kites, right?

@Pablo amigo, go to kiteforums.com, which is a US based Kite website and there are plenty of good deals there for 11m kites. But since you're under 60kg, I would recommend a 10m or less kite size. A 9m for you will be more than enough in winds up to 22-25knots. Get a 12m for light wind days (below 13knots). Oh and stay away from foil kites, ram air kites, C kites or any kites that are not like the Switchblade. Switch kites are good.




I do agree that secondhand is the way to go for a new kiter but only if they have an experienced mate that can help them out to buy one - Or they buy from a shop.

I helped a mate out to buy his first kite a while back & the amount of crap that is out there makes the mind boggle.
I found a kite here on SB that sounded perfect for him & he bought it on his own as I was busy. Anyway long story short, the bar had NO safety - only way to ride was suicide!!! (Saftey had to be hooked to trim line just above CL)
Also the main inflation valve was fecked, air p1ssing out everywhere.
I had to personally ring the seller & guilt him into refunding the cash.


I was one of those greenthumbs.

The reason: The amount of time (countless hours) I have spent fixing leaks/ tears/ bars/ lines/ boards by trying to be a cheapskate.

I'm still a cheapskate, but I also recognise that the tradeoff between saving a few hundred bucks vs many hours of lost water time is probably not that worth it.

Now my cheapskateness manifests itself as buying new kites (I get switch cos they are cheap and good as) and Im happy as larry. Wish they had been around when I began back in 06'!

In saying that, I now know lots about how to fix a kite.

Final word: Agree with CJ2478 - I have never trashed a kite as a result of being a complete newb. I have smashed a few up, but that was more when I was getting into tricks and stuff and it went haywire.

gesper
NSW, 517 posts
28 Jun 2017 10:11PM
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I agree with a lot that CJ2478 has pointed out . IMO a brand new Switch Element 5 11m with bar US $1038 lifetime warranty would be the way to go .For your weight 55kg an 11 should suit you fine between 10 and 20 knots. If Miami has an average wind speed above that I would go 1 size smaller . After you have passed the learning stage you will still have a great kite for waveriding
Btw Switch build quality is up there with the leading brands

NorthernKitesAUS
QLD, 1061 posts
29 Jun 2017 1:55PM
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"Second hand" means something recent. But yeah I agree, safety and quality is paramount, especially with bladders that are about to crack and crumble (re: my Naish Park post). Nothing worse for someone that is cash-strapped to be having to fork out extra for repairs. But I still think you "don't" need to by new, for a beginner anyway.

Scrubes
VIC, 115 posts
1 Jul 2017 12:01PM
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It goes the same with the Fluid Kites, built tuff, latest tech new with Bar and lines, around $1200, there is the new Sky which is similar ease of use as the switchy. Nothing wrong with second hand but like the others get some help from a seasoned rider, some good kites out there.

IanR
NSW, 1237 posts
1 Jul 2017 8:03PM
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Hi Pablokite
I agree with everthing that has been said Secondhand vs New
But no one has mentioned superseded models. You can often get last years version, New alot cheaper.
Also Most major brands will be releasing 2018 kites in 3 months

Just2807
180 posts
1 Jul 2017 6:38PM
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Go to your local spot or place where u intend to kite, say hi to few kiters, evaluate which1 of them doesnt hate beginners (jerks are everywhere), buy him/them a beer and tell them your situation. I am sure some1 will be glad to help. They already got some experience and can evaluate based on their experience.
Any kite flies good nowdays, and like some1 up said, almost everything after 2009/10 is pretty safe. I would suggest u to watch for 5line kites or 4 line with single flagging cause double flagging lines can be tricky in low wind, especially switchblade (when there is not enough wind to flip over the kite). Nothing unusual or scary, kite loses 95% power but it can be a bit freaky when u starting out 1st few times.
I saw online a lot of 2013-14 kites for like 400-500$ in pretty good shape (with bar). I agree with above, dont buy new till u are confident of not trashing the kite.


EDIT:
2014+ switchblades come with single flagging 4line bar (1x), and u can use same bar on older models too (back to 2009, IDS era). No reason to not buy nice 2012 and use "new" bar with it ;)
Not marketing or anything, i saw u like them and those are only models i got experience with.
Be safe and happy riding!

Spitfire
WA, 394 posts
4 Jul 2017 1:58AM
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You could fly to Australia. Buy a decent first setup and fly home cheaper than what you have been quoted at the shop.

10 Sep 2017 9:44AM
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The main reason people struggle in this sport is not enough support and quite often conflicting advice,if you have an instructor who's offering free support go with his advice,he should know the local conditions and your skill.

Jhana
WA, 120 posts
10 Sep 2017 7:07PM
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Hi Pablo,

I am in my first year of kiting and I had the same dilema as you, New vs older Second Hand.

I bought two new Switch kites one of which was an Element 5, it's a great kite, well built, tough, perfect for beginners.

I wanted the confidence that I won't be stranded or have to swim in because the kite gets ripped etc.

My mates bought second hand older kites and they have had nothing but rips and tears and have had to swim in a number of times. It has cost them hundreds of $dollars to have them fixed - money down the drain.

All the best






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"Gear Purchasing Advice" started by pablokite