Welcome to the Buyer's Guide from Used Kiteboarding.com - the place to buy and sell used kite boarding and kite surfing gear.
Please take a moment before posting your gear or viewing other's used equipment to look through the buyer's guide here.
USED KITES CHECKLIST
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Check the seams
The seams are an indication of how intensively a kite has been used. Are they stretched or still tight?
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Ask about and inspect repairs
Has the repair been done by the owner or by a professional. A repaired kite, like a car, diminishes in value.
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Check the kite for leaks
Pump the kite up completely or in parts and leave it inflated for at least 10 minutes. This gives you the opportunity to check for leaks and the seams.
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Check the attachments point to the kite
These, of course, cannot be worn.
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Check the bar
Check the bar at first for completeness and wear (bar, lines, safety system).
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Check the safety system
Let the owner demonstrate the safety system and make sure you're convinced of it's operational status.
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Check the lines for knots and wear
Knots in the lines are weak spots which will tend to make it break faster.
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Check the depower system
This line cannot be (too) damaged. Compare the part of the depower-line which goes through the bar or eye to a part of the depower-line that doesn't. It hast to be the same width and have the same look.
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Check the coating on the surface of the kite
The coating protects the kite and makes it airtight. The more the kite has been used the less coating remains.
USED KITEBOARDS CHECKLIST
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Check for tears and 'open' edges
This will tell you how much the board has been used and if it's been used in shallow water. Tears and sharp edges can lead to weakness, leakage and sharp spots.
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Check the finns
Damaged or worn finns loose their function. Finns are relatively expensive to replace.
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Check the board for repairs
Repairs to boards by professionals are almost always better than those done by their owner!
