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Advice for Buying Used gear

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Created by Baz19 > 9 months ago, 4 Sep 2019
Baz19
3 posts
4 Sep 2019 11:33PM
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Hi All,

Getting into Kiting and will be buying some second hand gear to get me started and need some advice on some prospective gear,

I didn't want to fork out for 2 kites just yet, and can probably hire a bigger board for cheap if needed on the day.

Some guys from the local school recommended a 10m North Neo since the wind speeds generally range from 15 to 30 knots, Im 85kg do you guys think that will be big enough for the lower end of that spectrum?

I have found a 2015 north neo, is that too old to be buying a kite? The kite itself has no damage and had no repairs and is at a pretty reasonable price.

I have also found a 2013 north 5th element bar, for a reasonable price, is there anything I should look out for with the bar? How can you tell if the lines are stretched? any recommendations of other bars I could fly with the north kite?

Apart from that any advice on buying older kites, from what I've read people advise going against it, but then I also see people still down the beach still going hard on older kites that they bought second hand.

With the board , I've had a lot of experience snowboarding and skateboarding, could I get away with a smaller board or should i be looking at 146cm at least? or could i get away with something like a 143 or even a 138?

Also I can pick up an 2009 North Harness in good condition ( i think the guy just had it mostly laying around) for 40 bucks, or I could pick up a new 2014 ion hummer for 100, is there much point on forking out for the newer harness.

There is a lot there, but any help is much appreciated guys !

Chris_M
2128 posts
5 Sep 2019 5:07AM
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Used kites are a pain the ass

Ask specifically if they have repairs and do an inflation pressure test for as long as possible while you are checking it out.

Then punch the seller in the nuts for probably trying to sell you damaged gear, even if you don't see any damage at time of purchase.

raggedflyer
WA, 64 posts
5 Sep 2019 8:20PM
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I wouldn't look at buying any kite pre 2010/11. I would aim to only buy a second hand kite less than about 4 to 5 years old. Having only owned second hand kites, I've found the amount of repair needed to maintain an old kite increases as it ages, to the point where you're fixing it more than flying it! Save some dollars and get a second hand kite 2014-15 for around $400-500

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
5 Sep 2019 9:27PM
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The older the cheaper

NorthernKitesAUS
QLD, 1061 posts
6 Sep 2019 1:23PM
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raggedflyer said..
I wouldn't look at buying any kite pre 2010/11. I would aim to only buy a second hand kite less than about 4 to 5 years old. Having only owned second hand kites, I've found the amount of repair needed to maintain an old kite increases as it ages, to the point where you're fixing it more than flying it! Save some dollars and get a second hand kite 2014-15 for around $400-500




Correct. When you equate time spent repairing old kites, it's no brainer.

Old kite: $50
Drive to beach: deflates
Drive back from beach: $5-10 fuel
Try and self-repair - order valve(s): $25 each X 5 = $125
Time spent utube videos: 1-2hours X $80 ph ($80 ball park per hour tradie charge) = $160
Time spent inflating and testing for leaks: 3-30mins depending on skill/knowledge - $40
Time spent removing bladder: 5-30mins depending on skill/knowledge - $40
Time spent looking again for leak: 3mins-1hr depending on skill/knowledge - $80
OPTIONAL: bladder patch (enough for a few kites worth, for pinholes only) - $17
OPTIONAL: Time spent on repairing one pin-hole times number of pin-holes: 2-5min $6.67
Time spent removing old valve and repairing with new stick-on: 5-10mins X 5 valves = $66,65
Time spent putting bladder(s) back: 2-30mins depending on skill/knowledge - $40
+/- time for adjusting bladder and removing twists: 5-15mins depending on skill/knowledge - $20
Pump and testing kite for leaks again: 2-30mins - $40
Packing kite if all good: 2mins $2.67

TOTAL: greater than $600

And if it still leaks!! Repeat the above

So if you had to do this twice - TOTAL COST OVER $1200 !!!

Hmm hang on.. I'm selling some old ones.

AquaPlow
QLD, 1051 posts
6 Sep 2019 9:20PM
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Baz, hi... over the years this has always been a recurring topic.. so if you are hungry for more information do searches.
Be aware that the age demographic on SB has been steadily going up (me included) so less keen to buy second and fix things using $ / time poor rationalism..
The following will likely cause a few others to comment...
Second Hand is IMO sensible for learning. Fixing a bladder while not fun is very doable. When my kids started I did not want to spend top dollar so happily fixed things and bought 100M of Dyneema and made bits up. Once you get more cashed-up / confident in your interest then spend more...
My rules of thumb.. if I am buying sight unseen I use this site and will only buy off someone who has been registered for a few years.
I review for price range and there would be no good reason for a second hand kite to be at the top of this range unless it was just about a virgin.
I would be prepared to buy from Gumtree but only with inspection = hard as a newbie..
Inspection allow for 30 plus minutes..... Always inflate a kite and then talk as you inspect.. use ^^ NKAus's guide for how much to knock the price down if you have to fix a kite (not a good idea if you aren't familiar)..
Be aware that a new bar and lines cost can easily cost $750. So when you pick up a kite have a review of the lines. Clues .. where the lines attach to the kite is a high energy are so look at their condition.. a lot of fraying - steer clear. If you can run out the lines for any length (the more the better) run them through your fingers any differences you feel - so bumps changes in the diameter indicate possible damage - have a look - fraying obvious wear - not great.
When a kite is inflated try and get to look through as much of the canopy as possible from the dark / shaded side towards the bright / sunlite side - holes become obvious. A few pin pricks no worries but lots - not good it means the kite sail becomes more porous and is more than likely fairly worn so definitely not top dollar.
An example kite, I have a 10M Lithium 2012 which I had replaced all the bladders once the main valve leaked and I had already patched bladder about 18 months back - just about to send it South to someone in Tas'- when my brother decided to have a go at kiting so I kept it. Nothing wrong with the canopy - but bound to have couple of pin pricks..you would not need to be precious with it and now worth at best $180-280 with bar and lines. At the time the bladder replacement cost $250 a bit less.. If you are prepared to spend $500 on a kite accept that you may well junk it after you have learnt.. likely you will keep parts (bar and lines).

Other equipment.. Harness target comfort over Dollars would suggest new..
Board well learning can be a scratch and dent bonanza - buy second, would target width so higher width for learning. So 40cm is a good medium point..Length hmmm 140-146 I started with a huge board but narrow board and it was silly
Assuming you have a usual learner profile - you are cautious and prefer lower winds than higher wind strength.. Essentially the bigger your board is the easier it is to get up on it. The trade off is with a bigger board it is easier to get over-powered. On balance bigger than smaller.
Get a functional pump... plus you need a safety leash - they come with new kites less with seconds...they connect your harness to total depower process (called flagging the kite) on your kite when you release the chicken loop so you don't loose everything when you detach from the chicken loop...

Turn over.. well my experience I have bought more kites than boards than harnesses... I have given away a board chucked a clunker sold and junked a kite or two and junked old harnesses. But have alot of antique kit too

Suggest always have a helmet and good idea to use an impact vest which will have some floatation.
I will happily replace lines and pigtails (the line joiner bits) at the first point of wear but will look at repair on the rest.
I think that most of the key features of the new kite are totally lost on a learner except for the price.
So until it breaks you will not notice the difference between a kite 1 to 5 years old

I am cautious and have always been in lower wind zones - someone from WA has a different outlook on good wind strength - it is what you get used to...
Kite size.. a twin tip is power hungry compared to a directional (surf board style) 85 kgs 10m and 15knots does not work well.
but by 18-20 knots with a 145 wide board fine but 30 knots too much for safety.
I favour 15-25 knots at a 12 meter kite and would be targeting a 10 m as a second kite in windier zones once I had learnt to ride the board in both directions and could hold my ground.
Should be enough food for thought!!
Cheers
AP

Baz19
3 posts
10 Sep 2019 12:00AM
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Hey all,

Cheers for the replies, all really helped took the away the anxiety of buy a kite 4-5 years old. The kite had some usage but Canopy had no holes and it held air, Bought a 2013 bar that looks brand new, since the bloke never used it and I just got an old harness from 2009, but same case guy never got into it so its in good condition. And I got a 142 x42 board for a steal from a couple that just had a kid, so all in all pretty happy, now just need to get out there!

Thanks again for the specific advice!

Cheers !

Chris_M
2128 posts
10 Sep 2019 3:59AM
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Good on you, have fun!

NorthernKitesAUS
QLD, 1061 posts
10 Sep 2019 5:03PM
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Baz19 said..
Hey all,

Cheers for the replies, all really helped took the away the anxiety of buy a kite 4-5 years old. The kite had some usage but Canopy had no holes and it held air, Bought a 2013 bar that looks brand new, since the bloke never used it and I just got an old harness from 2009, but same case guy never got into it so its in good condition. And I got a 142 x42 board for a steal from a couple that just had a kid, so all in all pretty happy, now just need to get out there!

Thanks again for the specific advice!

Cheers !


How much did you spend? Well done. I specialise on buying 2nd hand, repairing and on-selling, but judging by own comment above I should have been out of business years ago. Maybe I've over calculated it? Anyway, buying 2nd hand is sensible when you're just wanting kit that won't matter too much if it's stolen or damaged. When it's a new kit, I've seen guys yell at others for touching it the "wrong" way. Meh.. life's too short to keep up with the jones.

Kamikuza
QLD, 6493 posts
10 Sep 2019 7:51PM
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NorthernKitesAUS said..
[...] buying 2nd hand is sensible when you're just wanting kit that won't matter too much if it's stolen [...]


Dude what?

bjw
NSW, 3568 posts
11 Sep 2019 9:11AM
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Some of the kites had bladder issues before 2016, so be careful too old. If rather a repaired 2017 than a perfect 2015.



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"Advice for Buying Used gear" started by Baz19