Low wind impressions..... C kite vs bow...

andyandmarlys · Post by **andyandmarlys** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 8:14 pm

Today I launched my 19.5 Contra looking to nab a little 10mph wind at alameda... and was suprised by how inefficient and doggy the kite was.... I have been out in less winds with my 12m bow kite and been ripping.... (which I sold in anticipation of receiveing my 14m bow.... I am pretty excited... should be in tomorrow..)

The bottom line is that a big kite can not generate much power compared to a 12m bow kite..... Just doesn't steer fast enough... I tried my hardest to whip that 19.5m beast to generate power, but it can not dive and rise like a bow kite... I looked upwind and saw Yuri going at it with his 12m bow kite.... definately having more fun than I was....

I even hooked up my Turbo Diesel Bar to the 19.5m C kite to see if I could speed up the turning and response.... when I did, the kite did turn a little faster, but required Poypye arms to steer the kite........

Moral of the story is..... big C-kites are dead.... there is no need for a huge kite anymore... Small kite are fun... and with a bow, you can get the low end that you need while still having a kite fast enough to generate power...

lmontejo · Post by **lmontejo** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 8:33 am

C-kites are dead, long live the Bow...

Don Bogardus · Post by **Don Bogardus** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 9:44 am

Giant kites are slow to turn weather they are "C" or bow.
Bow kites have a long way to go before they can possibly
make well designed "C" kites obsolete.
I think right now their main advantage is allowing a rider
to reduce his quiver size on the high end, which is NOT to
say one would not be sacrficeing the performance from a
much more expensive-larger quiver.
Having a high performance kite(s) with less canopy area in
strong winds is always an advantage!,(and safer).
100% depower does not make a safer kiter.Expierence,
and choice does. :)

andyandmarlys · Post by **andyandmarlys** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 9:56 am

I am not saying that C-kites are dead... just that the super large ones turn too slow to generate power like a faster smaller flat kite can...

consumer · Post by **consumer** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:35 am

haha leo, you cant expect not to get hassled from us for that statement.

windhorny · Post by **windhorny** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:04 am

Anyone know where my girl can get one of those 100 meter kites? She needs it as a trainer.

Pablito · Post by **Pablito** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:06 am

And the last time I kited at Alameda, it was a little light for a 14M but me and D were upwind of a pack of 12M bowkiters almost the whole time. We were both on, ahem, not just C kites, but 2005 C kites.

If I had been on my 12 C kite, I'm sure I would have been way downwind, but it seemed to me like the 14 C still had a bit of an advantage. I'm not a great kiter, and I don't have a light wind board or anything.

:)

pipedragon · Post by **pipedragon** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:14 am

andyandmarlys wrote:Today I launched my 19.5 Contra looking to nab a little 10mph wind at alameda... and was suprised by how inefficient and doggy the kite was.... I have been out in less winds with my 12m bow kite and been ripping.... (which I sold in anticipation of receiveing my 14m bow.... I am pretty excited... should be in tomorrow..)

The bottom line is that a big kite can not generate much power compared to a 12m bow kite..... Just doesn't steer fast enough... I tried my hardest to whip that 19.5m beast to generate power, but it can not dive and rise like a bow kite... I looked upwind and saw Yuri going at it with his 12m bow kite.... definately having more fun than I was....

I even hooked up my Turbo Diesel Bar to the 19.5m C kite to see if I could speed up the turning and response.... when I did, the kite did turn a little faster, but required Poypye arms to steer the kite........

Moral of the story is..... big C-kites are dead.... there is no need for a huge kite anymore... Small kite are fun... and with a bow, you can get the low end that you need while still having a kite fast enough to generate power...

Don't make me get out my 25!!! :evil:

It sucks up ever little hint of wind and turns that into raw power. When we get another lightwind day you should give it a try.

Also Yuri is not a good comparison for me because he weighs a lot less. I have had many a day where I was fooled by seeing Yuri out.

andyandmarlys · Post by **andyandmarlys** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:34 am

I think that Yuri can attest that I can ride my 12 bow on my glide in as low winds as he can... and yesterday when I was on the 19.5, he could ride and I couldn't

windhorny · Post by **windhorny** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:55 am

I am not skinny, I'm thin boned! :)

I weigh in between 165-170. And I have been side by side with Andy quite a few days where he has passed me by going upwind on his 12 td and a glide. My board's rocker seems to be a big element of unwanted drag. Above 10 it doesnt really matter but the glide IS faster. Its all compromise though. You should try your 25 with a glide or a glid and see what you think. I think both of you are around 215-225 right?

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Low wind impressions..... C kite vs bow...

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