I've all but completed my lessons, and am hitting the classifieds for my first kite, which I'll be using primarily in Alameda.
I found what looks like an amazing deal: a brand new 2012 Cabrinha Vector 12m for $820. The reviews suggest that it is a good 'beginners kite', as well as what a Cabrinha rep posted back in February:
With the end of the season approaching, 12m seems like a good size (I'm about 180lbs).Vector is really a nice kite...about $200 less per size than the SB. I really like it in the smaller sizes. Because of it's smooth power delivery, stability, speed, it is the choice of Jason Stone, wakeskater extraordinaire. Haven't heard alot about it as unfortunately it got dubbed as a beginner kite because alot of schools use it as well as the SB, and that Cabrinha dropped previous models thought to be beginner kites. It's a three strut kite.
$820 seems ridiculously low for a kite that is listing online for $1200 new, and $900 on eBay.
Any advice or insight would be most appreciated.