Well my new (to me) 11m Slingshot Fuel arrived today and oh man was I excited about this one. Having felt the power of my 15m, I'm dying to take this
one out, and this is definitely going to be my high wind kite. Even though I haven't flown it yet, I'm going to attempt a little review on it and
share my thoughts.
First off, the reason I bought another LEI without much LEI experience was because I found yet another good deal and really couldn't pass this one up.
Plus, I was so impressed by the characteristics of my 15m Fuel. For a 2005, the kite is in immaculate condition. Seriously, the kite is still
crispy, and the lines are not worn at all, no discolorations or anything. Usually when people sell older LEI's they don't try to advertise how much
it has been flown. The description for this one stated that is was flown 6 or 7 times. This guy was not lying at all, and it really makes me
appreciate the little bit of honesty left in the world. Included in this awesome deal was the stuffsack/ backpack, 4 line bar and lines, pump, and
kite. The bar is so new and has been used so little that when I unwound the lines, the floaters were stiff in the wrapped position. Basically I got
a brand new 2005 Fuel for practically nothing. The kite has all the pigtails, split strut technology, and the one-pump system installed.
Unfortunately, there is no place to attach a 5th line, so I will have to use the 4 line bar provided.
So, they say pics are worth a thousand words, and I had to do my routine inspeciton on a newly acquired kite... so feast your eyes on these:
4 Line Bar:
Jovver - 27-10-2009 at 04:29 PM
This is the position the floaters are in and they are still stiff. I was so shocked that this bar has seen so little use.kitejumper - 27-10-2009 at 04:30 PM
looks brand new......
Bag and Pump:
Jovver - 27-10-2009 at 04:32 PM
The bag included is awesome. Much better than the briefcase style that came with earlier fuels. I can actually easily get the 11m in this one, and
it could also fit the 15m easily. (Maybe even at the same time) There is a nice zipped pocket for the bar and lines as well. You can carry it like
a duffel bag, or wear it like a backpack. The pump is practically brand new. It really is the simple things in life that make you happy.
Underside Right...
Jovver - 27-10-2009 at 04:33 PM
Pic removed.
Underside Left...
Jovver - 27-10-2009 at 04:35 PM
Pic removed.
Topside Left...
Jovver - 27-10-2009 at 04:37 PM
Pic removed.
Topside Right...
Jovver - 27-10-2009 at 04:38 PM
Pic removed.
Topside Full Length...
Jovver - 27-10-2009 at 04:40 PM
And finally, the entire kite... IMO this is one of the best color schemes on a Fuel that I have seen. I know a lot of people don't care about what
color their kites are, but if you're gonna be flying kites, why not have the best looking one you can? Jovver - 27-10-2009 at 04:41 PM
So there it is for now, sorry for posting so many pics, I was just really excited to get this kite. Plus I don't see a lot of people posting pics of
their stuff in individual review threads, and that's something I strive to do. When I do take the kite out for a test flight, I will be sure to post
more pics. Until then!Bladerunner - 27-10-2009 at 04:53 PM
This isn't going to be that High wind a kite unless you weigh 275. It won't have the same amount of depower that your Baze II does.
I HIGHLY recommend that you get a 5th line attachment put on it. I had it done at a sail shop for $25. I thought Slingshot went 5 line in 05 ? The 5th
brings the kites safety level up with newer kites + makes relaunch a LOT easier.
You can update the bar to 5 line cheap. Go to the Ocean Rodeo website and download the 5th upgrade manual. It is all the info you need.Jovver - 27-10-2009 at 05:02 PM
Quote:
"This isn't going to be that High wind a kite unless you weigh 275."
Well luckily I'm floating around 260 atm. You can see me in some of the pics in my 15m Fuel review post. Yes, I am a pretty big guy, and big guys
need big kites! I was thinking about having the 5th line installed, and I already have the 5th line Slingshot bar from my other Fuel. Thing is, I
can just attach a leash to the "Oh #@%$#!" loop and when I deploy the chicken loop it should bring it down. Please correct me if I am wrong. There
is also a yellow stopper ball on the line with the "Oh #@%$#!" handle, which I'm assuming stops the bar from going all the way up to the kite when you
grab it, but has enough travel so the kite falls out of the sky without any tension on the other lines.Bladerunner - 27-10-2009 at 05:24 PM
YES, You are right it flags out on one line. The stopper should be at least as far up as the kite is long.
If I went to safety on my 4 line it was a 90% chance I had tangled lies by the time I got the bar back and fed out again. ( in water ) Some scarey
times as the kite spun and crashed also. 5 line was SOoooo much better. MUCH safer also ! The original 100% depower
Getting a tab on should be cheap and will be money well spent !
UMMMMMMM....... If you are planning on using this as a snow kite you really DO need a 5th. :puzzled:ragden - 27-10-2009 at 06:07 PM
As a true C-Kite, you will want a 5th line on this.
Nice kite though. Hope it works out for ya. Jovver - 7-11-2009 at 05:27 PM
Ok so I have a question regarding the 5th line deal. I had a chance to try out the standard 4 line safety system (pulling on the Oh #@%$#! handle)
and it spun a few times on its way down to the ground. Kinda makes a mess and is really not as simple as the 5th line on my 15m. So... there is a
small loop that is sewn in right by the deflate valve... I thought it was solely for hooking on the attachment line on the pump to keep the kite from
flying away while pumping, but is this also the loop that the 5th line safety attaches to? If it is, I already have the 5th line bar and I am good to
go. Advise please and thanks in advance!burritobandit - 7-11-2009 at 11:36 PM
Can you provide a picture of it? I'd say only use it if it appears to be reinforced (like, an extra layer of dacron sewn on top of the leading edge).Jovver - 8-11-2009 at 08:45 AM
I decided to do a little comparative research myself (I checked what the situation is on the 15m :eureka: ) and found that the 5th line safety is
attached via larkshead on that same loop. The stitching does look pretty secure and it doesn't seem to show any wear. So I just installed the 5th
line on the 11m. Hooray! Anyways, I got to try the 11m for the first time yesterday, winds were really inconsistent from very strong to not so much
and every time the wind lulled the kite wanted to drop out of the sky. It took a lot of skill and brake manipulation to keep it up there. The kite
is fantastic though! It develops a lot of power for its size. It doesn't look like much, but maybe that's because I'm used to my 15m. The 11m is
super fast compared to the 15m, I was shocked at how much difference the size made, but at the same time it develops a ton of lift. I managed to get
a few controlled hops, and a few times it just wanted to lift me without me doing anything. Like I said winds were inconsistent. After I installed
the 5th line this morning I took some more pics. Enjoy!
Right 3/4 Shot:
Jovver - 8-11-2009 at 08:46 AM
Pic removed.
Topside:
Jovver - 8-11-2009 at 08:47 AM
Pic removed.
Left 3/4 Shot:
Jovver - 8-11-2009 at 08:47 AM
Pic removed.Bladerunner - 8-11-2009 at 06:37 PM
Sounds like you are set ! I'm glad you managed a 5th line. Life just got easier !PHREERIDER - 8-11-2009 at 06:47 PM
that kite is gonna be a ton of fun in about 20+
fast and powerful .. great dealpower - 28-2-2010 at 03:18 PM
Hey Jovver, now that you've probably gotten a chance to fly this thing, what do you think?Jovver - 1-3-2010 at 11:06 AM
I've actually only had it up a few times since I bought this kite, but all I can say about this kite is that it is absolutely awesome. Like I said
before, it's much quicker to turn than the 15m and can produce almost the same amount of power. I almost find it easier to static hop with than the
15m! I feel that because it is easier to develop some speed with the kite by moving it across the window, it produces power easier. Unfortunately, I
haven't had the chance to fly it on the 5 line bar, so that is the next step. I'm also really anxious to try this baby in the water or maybe even
just scooting around on the snow.
