Inlfating kite at Crissy

[Blackbird]

Michael,

I was the guy who tried to rescue your waterlogged kite. From what I saw, the leading edge ripped out and the bladder was 'amazingly' still inflated, with a huge round bulge looking like a 2 foot buoy out the rip. I hooked it with my leash and tried dragging it knowing that even a torn kite is better than no kite. Well, considering the 4-5 knot ebb and your waterlogged kite, and my bruised rib, I got nowhere. After a few minutes of watching the water flow past but no movement, I unhooked and watched it float out to sea. It's probably in Hawaii by now.

As far as inflation pressures, yeah, bows need juice. I have noticed several seems on my Crossbow starting to give way. Luckily I have a sewing machine and nylon thread. If you use anything enough, it's going to wear out. Always check your gear.

[zgur]

Eric - how is the rib healing? is riding painful? Do some moves hurt more then others?

Later, Z

[Blackbird]

It's rideable now. Still must take great care to not have the kite pull upward much past perpindicular to the body. Some yoga, stretching, etc, rest, all helping. Definately no big tricks... tricks are for kids.

[windhorny]

Some people say cucumbers taste better pickled!

[zgur]

Yes, "tricks are for kids".....


But waves are FOREVER!!!!!


Get some, Z.

[steve]

guys with CB1 seam issues on the center 3 struts:

First, based on my experience, the LE on the 12m should have about 6.5psi and the struts a slight bit more..maybe 6.75 and definitely no more than 7.

Second, take a look at the mfg date. If before august of '05 you should have your shop take a look. There was a production modification that added a strip of mark cloth to about the first 12-16" on the inside of the strut to reinforce. This is an easy fix.

Third, the kite is under warranty for 1 yr. Have you local shop take a look...assuming you bought it locally.
steve

[elli]

Speaking of pressure, is there any reliable way to measure air pressure in the kite? I can't tell the difference between 6.5 and 7 PSI by hand :)

[Blackbird]

Hmmm, let me see... lots of compressed canisters and applications in modern society... bikes need accurate pressure inflations, oh wait, I think I did see Lance Armstrong blowing air into his skinny road tires... nah, must have been an hallucination. Someone mentioned something about a guage. Guage, what would that be...??? A )(#ing Air pressure Guage!! Now, if someone would just invent the thing... hmmmm

[Blackbird]

Oh, and Steve, sorry, but you're full oh shiiite on the 7psi. If I don't put in 9psi the kite WILL taco into a clam shell eating itself alive in certain situations. I'll put money on it. I'll even put the cost of a new Crossbow 2 on the line. You give me a kite if I make it happen, or I pay you the cost of a CB2.

[michael]

Eric, thanks a lot for trying to recover the kite! It meant so much to me, good memories. First time on board, first time upwind, first turn, first jump - a lot of memories... First kiss, first love, first love making - oh boy, you name it :) I hope you said a warm good-bye and hugged it for me

About the inflation, I got a response from BEST. Under-inflating the kite is an extremely bad idea. In fact, they think the kite exploded because it was under-inflated. I really doubt it - I always inflated it as hard as I can. From what I understood, it should be even harder when it's gusty. Looks like I wasn't doing a good blow j... after all :shock: , and the kite was simply unhappy and decided it's time for me to move on :)