I was wondering how much everyone else spends on average on their kite gear a year?
Select to expand quoteseeright said..
I was wondering how much everyone else spends on average on their kite gear a year?
You?
Select to expand quotemarkey said..
depends if its my wife asking ,,,,,,not much 
fixing the books?
I think I am around $2500 a year. That's usually 2 decent condition last seasons second hand kites and a bar/ harness and dribs and drabs. The board last a few years.
They are well used and get terrible resale. Maybe $1000 on re-sale.
I only started in 2012, bought a '12 (12m), a '13 (8m) and '14 (10m) year model kites. My upgrade plan is to replace the 12 with a '15 later this year, maybe skip a year next year, then replace the '13 with a '2017 the year after and so on.
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. 
Select to expand quotemattyj 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.
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.
Select to expand quotePlummet said..
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.
The reason I ask is its painful forking out the cash for good equipment, that when used thoroughly can last a year. But when you look at it in the grand scheme of things over the year around $50 a week (not including resale) may not be that bad. And if resale is ok could take it to $25 a week.
Its a bit of financial and use weigh up. Buy cheaper used gear and Use your equipment hard and care free (not worry about resale) or Buy new gear and be cautious with your equipment, regular cleaning, changing it each season (with good resale).
I am interested in how they financially compare and whether consideration for equipment condition has any effect on rider progression?
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 
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
Select to expand quotePlummet 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
Not yet man. I'm not using much these days. So its to justify an upgrade. perhaps 2015 i'll step into a chrono?
Select to expand quoteaustin 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.
I bought a brand new 2008 cab in 2009 for 600 bucks and have replaced the lines twice (once in 2011 and once end of 2013) at 200 bucks a pop. So I am averaging 200 a year. My boards are homemade.
If you look after your gear it can last a long time, I try to always pack down on grass, not drag my kite over sand with shells, not leave inflated and flapping on the beach all day (my kite at most sits on the beach for 5 mins a session) and lastly keep it out of trees. I was once told that salt water is a mold inhibitor and accordingly have never washed down with fresh water.
Select to expand quoteKazan 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?
Select to expand quoteDave Whettingsteel said..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.
nahh won't replace the 9m 2 sessions in 6months is hardly worth having one......can borrow my partners 9.5 if desperate
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!
Select to expand quoteseeright said...
[br]I was wondering how much everyone else spends on average on their kite gear a year?
Its not about the price per season but the stoke per season.
Max that credit card out dude
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...
Select to expand quoteseeright said..
I was wondering how much everyone else spends on average on their kite gear a year?
I spent $10 k in my first year ( 4 kites and 2 boards) yes I am addicted , and have a very understanding mrs , hoping that I only spend 1-2 k per year from here on just on upgrades from time to time , my smaller kites don't get used a lot so should last for years ,my main kite will need to be replaced in a year at most as it has been flogged , boards are holding up well , it's a lot cheaper than a wakeboard boat and the maintenance insurance etc , if you only bought second hand gear you could probably do it cheaper but it may backfire on you as well , as people often sell for a reason
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.
A lot less since I started buying from overseas! New kites with bar from last season are $800 Max instead of $1800 plus. Get a mate in the US to buy for you and then forward them. The internet knows you're in Australia now and hammers you on price.
Select to expand quoteseeright 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.
Select to expand quotewishy said...
A lot less since I started buying from overseas! New kites with bar from last season are $800 Max instead of $1800 plus. Get a mate in the US to buy for you and then forward them. The internet knows you're in Australia now and hammers you on price.
What website do you get your gear from?
The trick is to keep the old bags and board bags so the wifey doesn't notice the gear has changed.
Select to expand quoteKatz said...
The trick is to keep the old bags and board bags so the wifey doesn't notice the gear has changed.
Pure genius
Select to expand quoteKatz 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....
I find a good way to justify it, to myself (and the better half) is to talk about my mates that have motorbikes. Registration and insurance each year would be the same cost as a new kite. The difference being I only need wind not petrol.
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.
