BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Hey guys, just wanted your two cents. I'm looking at a 2010 Cabrinha crossbows, 9m or 13m kite and I can't decide which would be better for my area/weight.

Im about 156 pounds and I live in the SF sunset area, what do ya' think? :-k

both if they are in good, rideable condition with bar, lines, pump, bag.
Most people have a 9m and 12m. Some people have a 7,9,10,12 and 14.
Pricing?

I can't quite afford two kites right now, if I had to choose just one for now, what do you think the right one would be?

At your weight I would get the 9m. Two years ago I had a one kite quiver of a 10m and Im 185lbs. Do you have a surfboard? A twintip/surfboad/9m would be good. If you are still learning and only kite at Alameda get the 13M or a 12M.

Where do you think you'll be riding most after you take lessons?
Based on weight alone and no other factors considered, for the bay area a 9m.
Know all the things too look for when you check out a used kite?

As of right now, the outer sunset and bodega bay. No I don't know what to look for, but so far i'm guessing tares or lacerations, how it holds air and any weird sounds, if the lines look strong or destroyed, and in the general impression. But alas I am still a n00b, please enlighten me :)

Look for a crisp canopy over something flimsy and almost cracked looking, that's not going to last you long. Check around the leading edge and joints for wear to the threading. Definitely need to pump it up and leave it for awhile to make sure it holds air perfectly. Look at both lines and bridal lines for wear as well as any pulleys or hardware along the bridals and bar. Minor repairs and pinhole repairs are okay as long as they're not major, frequent or poorly repaired. Blow up the kite and point the leading edge at the sun, climb under and inspect like crazy, even tiny holes will light up. You want to get a kite from an experienced kiter instead of a school or someone's learner kites as they won't handle your crashes well.

The sunset (I'm assuming Ocean Beach) is no place to kite for you, stay out of the ocean when learning. Bodega would probably give you plenty of 9m days and Alameda almost always needs a 12m unless you get a surfboard to float you.

Where would you recommend in SF than?

Some good tips:

http://www.windance.com/how-to-buy-a-us ... pg-42.html

There are no places to kite in SF for a beginner. Dont go to Crissy or Ocean Beach or Coyote Point or Stinson or Dillon.

If you live in SF and are a beginner, plan to travel to your kiting locations....they wont be in town.

Beginner's choices are Alameda and Bodega with instruction or Third with instructor support.
You can go to Sherman if you are there for a lesson or are a proficient intermediate rider.
Thrid Ave for proficient intermediate by yourself.