Interesting thread on Bow Kites in general

Pablito · Post by **Pablito** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 1:05 pm

Ollie,
I'm just curious why you haven't tried the 12M Rap2 in the waves at OB? Shouldn't it be a good wave kite? Are the RRDs so great in the waves that you didn't even want to TRY the Rap2 there? I can see why you wouldn't want to let anyone else ride it in the waves, but there were plenty of 12s out there that Saturday...

OliverG · Post by **OliverG** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 1:15 pm

Well, I'm still getting dialed in on the Rap2 and unfortunately haven't had enough time on it *yet* for me to grab it first out of the truck without thinking and pump up. I have enjoyed it quite a bit so far, but during only a few sessions. It probably will be good in the waves and next time will likely give it a go. I just hadn't had enough time on it yet to go for it in the waves on a big day.

See, when it comes to sessions and this time of year, I tend to get pretty selfish knowing that sessions are few and far between and go for what I know, and once out on the water don't want to come back in. However, whether I'm out on an RRD or WW, whatever I'm not riding is available for anyone to fly if they want.

In the Spring/Summer and Fall when 5 or 6 days a week on the water can be a reality is when I'm more inclined to mix it up more with the kites. Outrage, Rap2, Type Wave or Type 7? Hmmm, let me see......

Greg · Post by **Greg** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:30 pm

O.K. I went out on a 12m Raven and swiched to a 12m Cross Bow for a quik demo. The ride (pull) was fine (about the same), depower felt bottomless.... I assume that was normal?
So now this re-post of a 210 pounder getting dragged around on a 6.5 from WW and wanting to sell his quiver....
btw: who was this guy?/ no name given!
I wonder what does all this mean?
L.M.G.

elli · Post by **elli** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 4:50 pm

Pablito how was your trip to Utah? Thatís on the list of things to do this winter!

Foils and bows have some things in common, but they are definitely different animals. Foil is still a soft wing. I have never flown a bow (hopefully this will change by the end of this month :) ) but I read that transition from foil to bow is automatic, no learning curve.

Check that your kites are tuned, especially if you bought them used. On the Voodoo, make sure that all lines are the same length. If the center line is still the old one do the center line upgrade ($$$). When the lines stretch the kites fly badly. Make sure you understand the tuning options of the kite for strong and light wind (WAC+- and tip brake) and do some test flights to find the configuration that you like. Usually a good point to start is the middle of all settings, but many people fly on full tip brake.

One of the disadvantages of the big depower range of the flysurfers is that you can over depower, to the point that the kite stops flying properly, and also over power to the point that the kite flies backward. This is mostly solved with 2005 models that are pretty idiot proof in terms of sheeting and do not have the tuning options. They do not fly backward and turn properly.

You can also try a longer bar which is mostly what I do. The kite will always turn.

An attribute of these kites is that they need to be powered all the time. You may want to sine the kite a couple of times to get some air speed before you sheet in and start cruising.

Need more help lets cross path somewhere.

Pablito · Post by **Pablito** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:23 pm

Elli,
Are you heading to the Ozone event this weekend at Tahoe? We could compare notes there.

My blog has the details on Utah.

The wind WAS light, other guys were on 12 and 14 Frenzys and I was on the 10 Voodoo. Towards the end of the day, the wind came up big time. Everyone else landed their kites to wait it out while I got the only real fun riding of the day. The kite did act very differently once it was powered.

However, in the light wind I was better able to sine the 7.5 Frenzy and get moving with it than I was with the 10 Voodoo. One guy said he thought it was just because the Frenzy is so much smaller.

elli · Post by **elli** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 8:53 pm

Pablito wrote:Elli,
Are you heading to the Ozone event this weekend at Tahoe? We could compare notes there.

I want to go but it depends on conditions.

Anyway check the lines length on both kites, the center line can stretch a few good inches and it completely sc#$% up the kite. This pulls the brake lines more, which may explain why your Voodoo required a lot of depower and falls when you pull the bar in (too much brake). The problem that you mention is common on used kites.

You can also pump the bar in and out on the edge rather than sine the kite. Sounds weird but it's a common FS technique on the bigger sizes.

I tune all my FS to fly unhooked, IMHO they are best unhooked (but I am too old to unhook more than 10 minutes :( )

windhorny · Post by **windhorny** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 12:56 am

L.M.G. wrote:O.K. I went out on a 12m Raven and swiched to a 12m Cross Bow for a quik demo. The ride (pull) was fine (about the same), depower felt bottomless.... I assume that was normal?
So now this re-post of a 210 pounder getting dragged around on a 6.5 from WW and wanting to sell his quiver....
btw: who was this guy?/ no name given!
I wonder what does all this mean?
L.M.G.

Was that the day you flew mine, or another day? On a seperate note, I am starting to make a snowboard-since after making the "Glid" I really dont have a need for another board now and i am getting the creative juices flowing again. I was going to give you a call and see if you had any input on that. Basically- 3/8" divinycell, mostly glass with a little carbon - but the big trick is implementing the laser cut stainless edge piece in the bottom. thats the part that i cant figure out. Also that bottom has to be fucking slick perfect smooth. I wsnt going to wrap the edges but make it more like a production board so i could sand the edge down completely to match the stainless edge.

Hope your winter treating you well.

Yuri

OliverG · Post by **OliverG** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 9:31 am

L.M.G. wrote:O.K. I went out on a 12m Raven and swiched to a 12m Cross Bow for a quik demo. The ride (pull) was fine (about the same), depower felt bottomless.... I assume that was normal?
So now this re-post of a 210 pounder getting dragged around on a 6.5 from WW and wanting to sell his quiver....
btw: who was this guy?/ no name given!
I wonder what does all this mean?
L.M.G.

Sorry, here's the original link:

http://windwing.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=736&PN=1

His name is DocM from South Africa. You can check out the rest of the thread as well. I thought it was a pretty bizarre post myself, but sometimes truth is stranger than fiction....

dewey · Post by **dewey** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 10:35 am

I'm ready to put in my order

Pablito · Post by **Pablito** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 11:15 am

I'd like to try the Rap12 on snow -- lots of good feedback on KF from the guys who've tried it so far. They say the only problem is self-landing -- I guess those things don't like to stay on the ground for very long.

There's even a post on the Flexifoil site about "the end of the foil kite" because of flat kites.

Any way we can convince you to do a snow demo sometime this winter, Ollie (I know it won't be this weekend)? Wash the dust off those skis and get some mountain air! Windwing might even pay for the biodiesel.

BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Interesting thread on Bow Kites in general

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