Alameda kiting today (Saturday Oct. 29)

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lmontejo
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Alameda kiting today (Saturday Oct. 29)

Post by lmontejo » Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:00 pm

I managed to kite some 45 minutes today with my new Crossbow 12 and the Glide at Crowne Beach in Alameda, all while you guys were writing posts here...

I could have kited another half hour had I managed to relaunch the Crossbow when it falls flat on its face facing you.

I am pretty sure I could have relaunched my North Rhino (5th line), so either the Crossbow is poor in relaunching in low winds, or I don't know what I am doing. Winds were, per the ikitesurf meter, some 8-10 miles with gusts to 12...

I ended up swimming back to the beach and relaunched with help.

The water was smooooth, not to cold, and I got to ride with my new yellow kite!

Leo

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Post by charlie » Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:31 pm

good job leo!
charlie

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Post by knyfe » Sat Oct 29, 2005 8:53 pm

3rd was fine too. may be tomorrow with the family. Will the new R2 show up?

Best, K

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Post by andyandmarlys » Sat Oct 29, 2005 10:27 pm

Leo..

I was watching you today, and then later joined you, however you had packed it up by the time I got on the water..

Anyhow, I saw that your kite was leading edge down, and forward into the wind.... What I'd suggest is to pull on one of the steering lines until the kite is sideways in the wind, and then the kite will catch the wind and then be ready for a relaunch... I had this problem before with a CB and was able to thet the kite going again.... This can even happen with traditional kites from time to time...

BTW... I just ordered a Turbo Diesel 10 and 14...... Got to fly one last week and found it to be very much like a CB.... except cheaper, with one pump, and a stock powerlock...

By the time I made it out today, the wind had backed down to 6-8... could ride, but not go upwind consistantly

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Post by lmontejo » Sun Oct 30, 2005 7:56 am

Thanks Andy. I tried your trick many times, pulling one of the steering lines in quite a bit, but I guess there was not enough wind to catch for the kite to fill from the side and relaunch.

As for the Turbo Diesel, I did see it. I also heard through the grapevine that the surface area of the Slingshot version is smaller than the Cabrinha one. Otherwise, yes, it is less expensive and has the one pump system. That may have its ups and downs since the leading edge seems sensitive to lower pressures and the kite needs to be pumped up well so as to avoid inversions.

We are all beta testers, and even better for these companies, we pay!

I packed up the moment I realized the wind was going down. The ikitesurf graphs from yesterday is pretty telling. All in all, pretty interesting that we can kite in such low winds.

My arms are hurting today. It must be those CB blues.

Leo
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Post by andyandmarlys » Sun Oct 30, 2005 9:29 am

I was able to ride until sunset last night. Not really staying upwind, but according to the charts, I had only about 6-7mph around sunset. I was on a 19.5m contra.... I was thinking about getting rid of it, but now I am having second thoughts.... Even though I wasn't lit by any means, it was worthwhile to go out and mow the lawn...

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Post by windhorny » Sun Oct 30, 2005 12:08 pm

You got your yellow toy Leo? Cool. I still cant wait to try the turbo diesel. The one pump always gets my attention and I have always liked slingshot kites more than anything else. I would kill for a day on the water.

As far as relaunching your xbow goes, no kite relaunches well in light wind-end of story. There needs to be enough power to fight the weight of water and the surface tension-obviously. But I am sure you will get better at it, and the xbow relaunches so easily, there is no skill involved at all. I never get off the board at all as it just takes a pull and a few seconds wait.

I can see owning a slinghot turbo diesel using the xbow bar.

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Post by andyandmarlys » Sun Oct 30, 2005 12:35 pm

From my experience with flying the turbo diesel and the crossbow, I don't see any huge difference between the two. The turbo diesel bar seems lighter and skinnier and has the stopper ball lock, and the cabrinha has the powerlock option, if cabrinha releases the powerlock upgrade....

So far, I prefer the TD bar and like that the sheeting adjustment is very close to your body.

I should have one that you can try out in a couple of weeks (KWS will have some for sale then too) and Dave Civ has one right now to demo...

Andy

BTW if you need anything at the shop this winter, I will be available to help you out.

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Post by windhorny » Sun Oct 30, 2005 4:00 pm

Thanks.

I think realistically, with the exception of loving the one pump, I am totally and completely satisfied with my one kite xbow quiver. I really cant complain. It is no different than dating a supermodel and being at a bar and getting hit on by a porn star. They both have their perks but you might as well stick with what you got unless she doesnt put out anymore.

:)

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Post by lmontejo » Sun Oct 30, 2005 7:19 pm

Great comparison, Yuri.

You sound like a man with great experience.

Ahh, had I been born good looking instead of rich...


Leo
Leo

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