I know you are responding mainly to Kent, Whitey, but just want to say "I hear ya", it's why I pointed out that racing vs. free ride is different.
I honestly think that most kites are pretty darn good these days and that we are knit picking over stuff (to a large extent). If you guys rode the crap that Jay, Kent and even I did (slightly after them) around ten years ago, you would get what I am trying to say.
In a nutshell, I am advising Gary not to stress over the kite (just get
whatever within reason), but also make sure to buy a "race board" for ME to demo.
(even if he doesn't want one).
Visuals might help.