Who thinks the world is not flat?

[andyandmarlys]

Today I flew the Vegas 06, a modded crossbow, a Turbo Diesel 12, and 8m. Of all the kites for today's crap conditions, I like the Turbo Diesel the most, and the modded crossbow almost as much.... These kites could handle the high gusts, but also had the low end needed to pull though the lulls. The Vegas 06 is a very nice C kite.... quick, good feel, nice bar pressure, easy relaunch, but it didn't have the low or high end of the 12m bow. In fact, the 06 Vegas 12 seemed faster than the 12m bow kites, but to me, it seemed I would have needed a 14 or 16 Vegas to match the lowend of the bows. I suspect a 10m bow is faster than the Vegas and will have just as much or more low end... The depower of the Vegas was very good... probably the best I have ever had with a C-kite... but not as much as a bow...

If I decide I don't like bows later this year, I will likely go with the Vegas. Also, I want to try the vegas again in steadier winds... today was really poor conditions.... I think the worst I have ever been in at Alameda....

[andyandmarlys]

Forgot to mention one thing.... While flying the Vegas, I actually got picked up into the air for a second while on the beach..... I haven't ever had this happen with a bow... used to happen alot....

[elli]

My 2c:
You have beginners that get their first kite. We all recommend get a used kite and beat it up, but many beginners get new stuff. For someone getting into the sport and buying new gear, bow is the choice IMO.

I have seen on the same beach beginners using 2006 Fuels and switchblades, what a difference. Jeff posted something about his experience with putting a bow in the hands of beginners, and I actually saw that myself. Based on what I have seen I would recommend every beginner that buys a new kite to get a bow. So much safer and easier.

After you learn and you know what you are doing, you can decide what the next step is. C, Bow, foil, depends a lot on what you will do with it.

Safety and usability of the bows are in their own league, which for the experienced riders is less of an issue. I think this is why experienced riders don't see what the hype is all about.

For me, the next quiver will be a mix of bow / Flysurfer foils. The C kite goes as well as some of the current Flysurfers.

[dewey]

I have to admit in very gusty conditions I think that the bow is the way to go. I tried to go out on my 10m Hir, but the kite was jumping all over the place. It's a good thing Josh was giving me a hold down, because I got lifted several times on the beach before I decided it was not a good idea to go out.

[Windseeker]

Agreed..... I think where you kite has a lot to do with bow vs C as well. If you have nice steady ocean breezes then the C would still be a great choice. But if your an inland water kiter where the wind is less consistent and more gusty, than the bow kite would give a more solid ride for 90% of the conditions you would be in. I plan on moving to a bow this season based purely on that reasoning alone. Even if I have to learn to change things up to what I am used to....

Remember back when shaped skiis were introduced and all the downhill pros wre reluctant to change from what they knew? I don't think you can even buy straight edged skiis anymore......

[VanSimms]

Same with Bias Ply and Radial Ply tires, the racecar divers at first hated the Radials, then they got used to them, and now only less than 1% of people use bias tires.

[VanSimms]

Same with Bias Ply and Radial Ply tires, the racecar divers at first hated the Radials, then they got used to them, and now only less than 1% of people use bias tires.

[Sander]

Seeing is believing and yesterday late afternoon at Alameda the bows were out in the crazy hi-wind gusty stuff.

The wind came up so suddenly I went from not being able to launch, to being OP'd within the span of 15 minutes. The Rap has a lot of depower, but still with having all depower activated, my kite felt a little too lively, and I wasn't sure where the wind was going to level out, so I too, opted for heading back in.

Anyone brave/foolish enough to go out today?

[andyandmarlys]

I plan on going out later this afternoon.... hopefully it levels off... ALso I am going to launch in front on my place.... yesterday the wind chop was horrible.... I think due to the gustiness, rollers never formed, so it became very much like voodoo chop.. Not smooth rollers like we normaly get in high winds...

I think up the beach, most of the chop will be eliminated and the water should be pretty flat... Charlie... are you going to join me today?

Andy

[windhorny]

I have to admit in very gusty conditions I think that the bow is the way to go. I tried to go out on my 10m Hir, but the kite was jumping all over the place. It's a good thing Josh was giving me a hold down, because I got lifted several times on the beach before I decided it was not a good idea to go out.

I have still never inverted my bow, but I have to say in response to this "great in gusty conditions"comment. It is great for depower and power in the lulls, no doubt! BUT, the gusty winds also make it more susceptible to inverting because you have a tendency to let the bar fly up alot when the gust hits which is the start of an inversion. The few gusty days I have flown my xbow I have always been very aware of keeping tension on the back lines. the bow kites definately want to accept wind from the top of the kite. It is like sticking your hand out the car window and putting your hand flat as to curved. But like I said, it has never happened to me, but I feel if i werent aware of it it could very easily flip inside out on those gusty days.