Sheetable Depowerable Foil Kites
Designed for Snow Kiting and Kite Landboarding
Page Updated: Feb 23rd, 2010
"Sheet-able" ( De-powerable ) Foil Kites for Snowkiting, Landboarding, and Kiteboarding 4-line foil kite design with instant ( push out the bar ) depowering ability. Sheetable foils with the Power (Traction) Increased wind range over standard foils. ideal for Land Based kite sports.
Sheet-able / Depowerable Foil Kite models
HQ APEX II (2) Back Country, Easy, User Friendly
HQ MONTANA IV (4) High Performance Kite
HQ MONTANA V (5) High Performance Kite
HQ NEO II (2) - Amphibious closed cell foil, All Terrain Cross-Over kite. Land & Water
YouTube Video
Featuring the HQ NEO II (2) and the MONTANA V (5)
Sheetable / Depowerable Foil Overview
For land based kite sports, Foil kites are the preferred option, and the sheetable "sheet-able" foil is the ultimate design for getting the maximum wind range. If you've ever adjusted the mainsail on a sailboat or the sail on a windsurfer then you already have experienced "sheeting-in" and "sheet-out" to adjust the power.
"Sheeting" is a windsurfing term which refers to trim (or adjust) the "angle of attack" (AOA)
of the sail, or in this case kite.
Sheeting-in: Pulling your kites control bar in. Increasing AOA and power.
Sheeting-out: Moving your kites control bar further out / away. Decreasing AOA & power.
On a Sailboat you would pull or release the "main sheet" ( The heavy Rope )
On a Windsurfer, you would trim the sail via your hands on the "boom"
With a Kite, you control the sheeting via the Control bar, and or Trim strap.
Standard 2, 3, or 4 line foil kites have a pre-set "angle of attack" and are not Sheetable.
With a standard foil you simply steer the kite right or left just like a 2 or 3 line kite. Sheet-able foil kites first became available in 2003, and they function much like today's "inflatable kites", allowing you to adjust the power of the kite instantaneously simply by moving the control bar closer or further from your body.
Like everything in life there are a few pro's and con's to consider to help you decide which kite is best for your needs. This page is focused on "Sheetable Kites " Our Traction Kite and Trainer Kites page have more details on the Standard Foils.
"Sheetable" (Depowerable) foil kites vs "Standard foils" kites.
| Design Type | 4 line Sheetable Foil | 4 line Standard Foil |
| Example Model | HQ Apex-II (2) 5 m | HQ Scout 5 m |
| Power / Depower Method | Bar movement ( in and out ) and, or Adjusting center Depower strap | Position of the Kite in the sky speed of movements |
| Wind Range | Wide Range | Average Range |
| Ease of use | Requires the use of a Harness to be able to access Instant Depower. More complex: Steering right & Left plus in / out bar movement. | Easy, just steer right & left |
| Price | $619 | $428. |
Should I purchase a "Standard" or "Sheetable (depowerable) Foil Kite?
Standard Foil If you...
Have have trainer kite skills and ready for more power.
want to keep things super simple, are
are not ready to purchase a harness,
fly in an area that generally has steady winds, or a
feel a sheet-able kite would put strain on the budget. You can always get a standard foil now, and graduate up to a sheetable (depowerable) kite in the future.
Sheetable Foil If you...
Already have kite experience and...
are ready to graduate to a more powerful with a wider wind range,
sometimes ride in areas with gusty wind conditions,
want the security of quickly being able to dump excess power,
want "extra power on tap" for boosting more air (jumping).
don't like to spending time deciding which size kite to set-up.
Don't mind buying a Kite Harness.
IF you have decided on a sheetable foil...
your next decision will be What specific type / or model of Sheetable foil?
Three types:
1. User friendly, Ultra stable, Low to Moderate Aspect Design: HQ Apex-II
2. High-End Performance, Higher Aspect: Design: HQ Montana IV
3. Amphibious, Closed cell foil, can be used on land or water: HQ Neo
If you like what you like what you've heard about the Ozone frenzy,
and want all of the high performance, but with a price you'll love. > Montana IV
In the words of HQ:
"The Montana is our new flagship freestyle kite uniting power, agility and stability. The new shape creates massive uplift coupled with dual safety systems to make this kite the perfect choice for beginners and experienced riders alike."
All HQ Montana Kites include:
Depowerable Carbon Control Bar Colored Flying lines Integrated Safety Leash system Field Guide (card) Set-up CD High Quality backpack
Free Shipping within the USA and Canada.
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HQ Montana IV (4)
Manufacturers Description:
"Reborn in its 4th generation, the dynamic new Montana IV sets the standard for depower foils. Faster and more responsive, the Montana’s wider tips and slender profile provide more lift and stability. You’ll be amazed by the light wind performance and increased depower, making the Montana IV the freestyle kite of choice."
| Size | Graphic | Central Color | Price Complete | Sale Price Until they're Gone |
| 7.0m |  |
Red |
$ 849. | Sold out |
| 9.5m |  |
Orange | $ 949. | Sold out |
| 12.5m |  |
Blue | $1039. | $899. Montana IV. only "1" 12.5 remaining. |
If you have the skills are want a high performance kite for big lofty jumps. This is your kite.
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MONTANA V (5)
**** The New "Montana V" is now available and In-stock!
Complete details will be uploaded here shortly. No need to wait. Questions? Contact us
Prices on the V (5) series are similar to the IV (4) series.
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APEX-II (2)
Manufacturers Description:
With the Apex-II, HQ Powerkites continues the idea of a beginner friendly depower kite with lots of performance. After two years of continuous development, an all new shape and profile offers more depower range and faster turning speed without losing its brilliant stability. The Apex is the perfect kite for snowkiting in the backcountry or for crusing with a landboard.
| Size | Graphic | Color | Bar length | Wing span Ft. | Price Complete |
| 5m |  |
Pink | 50cm | 13.9 | $619 |
| 7.5m |  |
Orange | 50cm | 17 | $699. |
| 10m |  |
Green | 60cm | 19.7 | $759. |
Which Model?
Sheetable Foils: Performance vs Price
Are you more likely to be a cruiser,
a freestyler who pushes the limits,
or somewhere in-between?
Do you normally buy the "top of the line" gear for your other sports?
Do you look for high quality gear at the lowest price available?
Do you look for gear that's in the middle, high performance, but medium priced?
Is the Name brand of high importance you to?
High End Performance w/ Maximum lift >> Montana 4
User Friendly, Ultra Stable back-country cruising >> Apex 2
What Size?
For most beginning snow-kiters and landboards, who already have trainer kite skills
a 5.0m is a good place to start if buying a traditional 4-line foil kite.
With depowerable (sheetable) foils, the most popular sizes are 7-8 meter kites.
Choosing the right size factors to consider are: Local wind conditions, Terrain (soft, vs hard packed), body weight, kite skills, and riding style.
If in doubt, its always safer to go smaller.
Price includes:
FREE Shipping within the US and Canada
Complete Kite:
Kite, Control Bar, lines, Safety system,
Back-pack.
Note: The above are general recommendations.
All of these kites are excellent or we wouldn't put them on this website.
Please think about the questions above and then email or call us so we can help you select the model that best fits your needs and budget.
This page does a decent job in assisting the decision but can never match talking to a real person.
Kiting and helping people is our passion and we're always happy to help.
We keep our priorities straight, and love kiting as much as you, so if you get the voice mail, you can probably guess why.
Be sure to leave a message! : )
Contact Us today!
Because it's way more fun to be out riding than sitting in front of your computer!
