I was wondering how much everyone else spends on average on their kite gear a year?

seeright said..

I was wondering how much everyone else spends on average on their kite gear a year?

You?

Does everyone replace their gear each year or every 2/3 years? ?

I replace my gear when it breaks. I don't see the reason to "upgrade" to the newest gear which has undergone at best cosmetic changes from last years model.

That's a good question. Also hard to answer. I'm thinking between $1000 to $1500. Thats spread over kite surfing, Landboarding and buggying. I'm usually replacing 1 kite per year. And making one board. If we just talked kite surfing maybe $1000.

If I can get 2 seasons for kites ill be happy, based on 130ish+ days per year and at least 2-3hrs per session,
New surfboard each season $800-$1000
very reasonably priced pastime

Plummet said..

My thunge to 15 handy is after I sell my old gear. So $2000 excluding resale. But that's all part of it.

I recon the most efficient money wise is to buy ex demo/end of year sale then sell a couple of years later while it still has resale value

Let me know if you're selling your Speed 3 15mt

austin said..
If I can get 2 seasons for kites ill be happy, based on 130ish+ days per year and at least 2-3hrs per session,

New surfboard each season $800-$1000very reasonably priced pastime

Did you have to replace the kite you trashed at Horrocks Nick? Didnt look too good on the beach!

I did the same as you the next day, chewed by a wave, dropped the kite nearly relaunched it and then got chewed by a big set. Was doing the high speed submarine impersonation and had to release both safty's and swim in. Kite got washed in a little further along the beach. Only a couple of tiny nicks fortunately.

Kazan said..

mattyj said..

Does everyone replace their gear each year or every 2/3 years? ?

The later.

Kites do generally last 3 to 5 years, with weekly use and minimal crashing or canopy not touching anything other than the wind. But having said that, a kite could last for years if you wash it after every use and allow it to dry away from sunlight. It's the canopy that needs taking care of the most I think.

Do you really thing that washing and drying the kite each session, will decrease wear time? Does the salt water eat into the canopy that much?

The salt water does not damage your kite. It's good for it if anything. Provided you let it dry . The damage that is done is from the stitching side of things and not so much the canopy. Cotton is natural it breaks down over time. When it gets when it expands and contracts etc . Now ive heard people say that salt crystals dry in there and contribute to this.. maybe so. However washing your kite with freshwater is no good because mould does not grow in salt water, only fresh water so while you may think you are washing your kite and putting it away when the canopy is dry the stitching may still be damp and this causes mould and breaks it down quicker. Also most freshwater or townwater has chlorine, calcium amd other oxides..though I hear the fluoride is good for your kite if the graphics on it have a face with teeth.. anyway by washing your kite with freshwater each time you are damaging your canopy and your kite!

Am I allowed to average out over each year? Cos I don't update my kites so much as collect them... I added a 2011 kite late last year so all my gear matched. And I seem to have acquired a collection of boards...

Harnesses are so far my only annual cost. They just don't last...

Been kiting just over 2 years and lost count around the $11K mark. Won't go anywhere near that this coming year/ season, pretty happy with me quiver.

But hey what do we go to work for???? You gotta spend it on something coz you don't have much fun with it sitting in the bank.

Don't do drugs, don't drink much anymore, don't go on many holidays as it's hard to get away from work. Just surf and kite so that's where all the cash goes.

seeright said...
[br]I was wondering how much everyone else spends on average on their kite gear a year?

Too much.. Yet somehow it never seems enough.

The trick is to keep the old bags and board bags so the wifey doesn't notice the gear has changed.

Katz said..

The trick is to keep the old bags and board bags so the wifey doesn't notice the gear has changed.

A friend of mine did that with his windsurfing gear for years.

I find a good way to justify the cost is to divide the expenditure by hours of use and explain it to the wife as $ per hour. You have to be careful she doesn't figure out you spend way too much time on the water...

Every now and then I wonder how much I have spent over 32 years of windsurfing and about 12 kiting, if I include gear, cars, 5 overseas holidays, moving to a house by the beach..... And of course jewellery....

Just completing my first year apprenticeship: It was quite funny when the wife (now separated) started counting the boards (got to about 10) and then started counting the kites (got to about 7). She asked how many kites I had and I replied "An adequate amount".

I think I am at about $18k and I should be good for about 5 years.