Dude,

An important adv/disadv is one sinks if you leave it too long on the water, one doesn't. Bomba's are super stable. I don't think you will find a Tube kite that will match this.

Depends on what style of riding you like.

One factor that would sway my decision is safety when you are out far from shore. (Sinking).

I know that you only go as far out as you can swim and all BUT still a tube can be a life raft.

The advantages are - stability, they do a thing called "auto zenith" which means if you let go, the kite flies above your head instead of crashing either side, they are very good in gusts, more durable (less to go wrong), no pumps. You can use em on land or water.

Disadvantages - will sink eventually, but your kite is not a liferaft, less powerful, so you need a bigger size eg. 16m Venom = 14m LEI.

People who like em love em! Others call them rude names like sleeping bags, doonas or mattresses. There is a new one called "Vortex" that sounds good for learners.

here is a recent explaination I gave about kites on the market today-
-The main type of kitesurfing kite is the inflatable, known as C kites, leading edge inflatables (LEI's), and a few other names. They commonly have 4 lines, 2005 models often have 5 to help relaunch.
-"Bow" kites are very similar to LEI's, they have a bridle attached to the leading edge with a "swept back" design. This bridle makes the kite flatter, they are also known as "flat" kites. This gives them more power than LEI's of the same size. They can also be tilted further forwards and thus "depower".
-Foils come in 2 types, bridled, such as Flysurfer, and ARC, such as the Peter Lynn Venom. They are inflated by the wind, are often more stable than LEI's but aren't for everyone.

For more info on Bow's, look here-
http://www.inflatablekite.com/site%20bow/BowHome.html

About these 2 guys who held the patent on the LEI, and now patented the "Bow". All different companies designs are a variation on this design, most of the difference is in the bar set up. Any bow kite around the 12m size would be a good choice for the average weight rider. They are not impossible to self launch and land, I've seen it done, but I've heard they are harder than normal LEI's. I didn't like launching and landing LEI's (or ARC's) solo and now fly a Flysurfer Speed 10m.

I used to fly an ARC 1120, only taking others opinions on Venom etc.

quote:

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Originally posted by Blondie

i have heard from a reliable sorce that bows are near impossible to ride unhooked. so if you want to keep this kite for some time probably not the best, but for beginers they aer great - great depower.

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negative on that one.

sorry, did not hear wrong.
heard loud and clear they a realy hard to ride unhooked as the preasure on your arms is much greater than that of a C kite.
i have not riden one, or for that matter any kite (first lesson tomorrow... am stoked!) so this could just be his opinion but others arround said it as well.

yeah it looks better to the people that come up with the yapping little dog and ask "what kind of aeroplane is that your flying?"

But for those who honestly think a bow is good for unhooked then tell me why are a majority of the bow riders are putting permenant stopper balls on the depower line so that the kite doesn't completely depower when your let go of the bar???? (converting it back to standard 4 line suicide leash) defeating the purpose of the bow?
You have to give up the bow's depower capability just to ride it functionally unhooked.
So why bother with a bow when you can buy a C shape thats perfect for unhooked, hooked, kiteloops, has easily 10-15knot wind range depending on ability (can be more or less), allows you to feel pure & raw power of the wind, direct feel of the kite through the bar with the lightest bar pressure ever and boosts just as good as a bow????

people who unhook often let go of their kites

bows often fall down face first and cannot be relaunched easily

thats why the suicide leash is being used i presume

its what happens when you do a handle pass and let go of the bar. The stopper they have on the depowerline at the moment always 'pops' out, like when your riding one handed hooked in, a gust come and bang it pops out, So without the permenant stopperball you basicly have a 4line kite that always falls out of the sky when miss a HP unlike a C shape which will still fly.....

Well ScottieV, if you weren't confused before you must be pretty damn confused now. The mistake you made was calling your thread "bow kites" while asking for advice about Peter Lynn ARC's. There was one the other day "are venom kites any good" check it out.

whats an "hp(s)"

Blondie & others, riding the xbow unhooked is fine. I depower the kite via the strap a bit(it doesn't affect its flying) unhook & do it. As for crashing the kite, I have had the kite end up every way possible inc. LE down facing me & have had the kite in the water no longer than 2 mins( & that's for a complete stuff up) normally relaunches within 30sec or so. have been using them for about 3 months so far. cheers

Whats with the "sinking 'cobblers

i have never heard of or experienced a PL twin skin "sinking"
If you have to self rescue or use it as a life raft all there is to it is to pull the tips together and the valves are out of the water and air stays in the kite.
Here's another tip .Kite in cross on shore winds no matter what you fly

I have had a number of LEi's and I have quite enjoyed them over time and the latest ones are great.!

i had a lada once, it was crap, the latest ones are crap too.

i'd watch what you say

I have a twin skin bomba. I'm no expert, so i crash it alot. I have never once not been able to relaunch it. Once a wave even crashed all over it, i thought it was all over, but it practically relaunchd itself. A mate i kite with and i have races to see who can relaunce 1st. he flies a LEI and i have my twin skin bomba. He's never beaten me. If your looking into buying one, try them out, only you can choose what you like. and dont just fly them round... make sure u crash them a bit to. after all, if ur just trying it out its not ur kite to worry about if it doesn't relaunch... ha ha....

att. blondie,... "HP" = handle pass

Originally posted by mitchell

Ohh. and a tip for young players... and "professor", if your kiting for looks and your choosing your style, gear, and what not based on how it looks to others, your bloody kiting for the wrong reasons.

Good one! thanks by the way now that you have mentioned..... What are the right reasons?
I am sure you would not want to leave us hanging without the advise
As you are aware it is always the best way to not just criticise, but to offer solutions don’t you think?
Feel free please to correct me I mean you already have so why stop now
why should I kite?