When unhooked you no longer have the ability to adjust the length of the front lines in relation to the back lines. I don' think there is any reason to suggest that C kites have any more range in this mode than bow kites. Why would they? When you can't adjust the relative line lengths then the power...

Thats the first I've heard of anyone flying one.

I'm very keen to see some pictures. Can you post some?

Cheers,
Munteruk.

I'd suggest you buy a modern, used kite. Your first kite usually takes a flogging and so its not worth destroying a new kite for the purpose. Kites depreciate very fast so a one season old bow kite would probably be a lot cheaper than new. If you do want to buy new there are a number of brands that ...

Get a blue kite and paint some clouds on it. Problem solved.

There's a fella somewhere in France I think who has developed a C/SLE witha fiberglass leading edge. I think his name is FunAlex or something. Details of the design can be found at a website called kite-stuff. Actually, while the forum there is sparsely populated it does have a lot of really good co...

Cerrtainly the 06 1m had very good low end range. It takes a particular technique to access it though. Rather than the constant pull a kite like the fuel generates, the sonic makes its power through speed. To get power in light winds you need to keep the kite flying fast and be careful not to oversh...

I think the North link is useful. Sure its a North Press Release so it won't be completely independent, but at least it has valid technical content. Its interesting to hear Ken's comments regarding the design of his kites and the steps North have taken to change its properties. Its a hell of a lot m...

New or second hand?

If second hand perhaps consider one of the smaller Underground FLX's like the 22 or the 28. Nice solid boards with good flx. I don't know how popular they would be in NJ but they are really common in Australia.

I weight about 74kg. Board was a 122 x 36 (pretty small really) Conditions were about 12-15kts cross onshore in small surf Certainly the kite felt more robust than the sonic which can feel a little light sometimes. I haven't had any issues with the construction of my sonics though so I can't be too ...

That last photo is kind of interesting. The water looks totally glassy. I'm surprised there is enough wind to keep the kite in the air.