Power Kite Forum

2" extension really help?

flyjump - 8-12-2009 at 03:14 PM

Those of you who have used the scorpions with the 2" pigtail rear extension, does it make a huge difference, and what aspects does it change/improve?

acampbell - 8-12-2009 at 03:19 PM

2"? I had I think 6-8" extensions with knots every 2" to adjust, and I think I remember using 4-6". It helped in light winds to keep the kite sped up and not stalling due to choking.

flyjump - 8-12-2009 at 04:18 PM

Really? My 16 I fly vpc on full depower and it doesn't really have any problems. It's my 13 that usually has trouble in it's lower/mid wind range. I'd like to keep it moving fast in those mid wind ranges so I can get better air/hangtime to practice ATB tricks. And you say 4-6 is what you usually use? I think I'll get those situated tonight. Any other advice on the extensions is welcomed

acampbell - 9-12-2009 at 06:03 AM

I failed to mentioned that this was a 10m Scorp, so it could have used some help on the low end. I made the pigtails 6-8" at someone else's suggestion, but never used all of it.

flyjump - 14-12-2009 at 04:35 PM

I added pigtails that could be adjusted up to 5 inches. I was able to take out the 13m scorpion in winds ranging from 12-20 and the small adjustment made a huge difference. Not once did she stall out. Kept flying fast generating speed and lift :) I had troubles in the beginning in the lower-mid wind range, but she flew great in those today. I had a couple of lulls at about 10mph. Look at the picture of her autozenithin and not stalling out:thumbup:

photo.jpg - 75kB

flyjump - 14-12-2009 at 04:38 PM

i was admiring the thin profil when i was done. This kite is still bright and crisp, so I had to take a photo

4.jpg - 139kB

power - 14-12-2009 at 05:08 PM

@Flyjump- Did you add the extensions to your 16m scorp? If so, how long were they?

flyjump - 14-12-2009 at 05:20 PM

I havn't used them on my 16 scorpion yet, but I will next time I use it. Ive never felt that I needed it on my 16, but i'll give it a shot since it improved the 13. Just Make 5 inch pigtails for your trailing edge bridal, and put your vpc on full depower and set all straps to full (depending on the wind). Thats what I usually use. That kite has always treated me good. Have you been able to use your new 16 scorp yet?

power - 14-12-2009 at 05:25 PM

Actually, I don't even own a scorp yet, but I'm going to try the 16m out on wednesday and see if I like it. What kind of air have you gotten with it?

flyjump - 14-12-2009 at 05:27 PM

Haha um, in the summer I have a record of about 25 feet or so. Floated down and started laughing. It'll take you high. It's my go to kite. It also depends on the settings. Every little thing changes it drastically

csa_deadon - 14-12-2009 at 05:28 PM

I've got 8" ext with knots every 2" on my 16M Scorp. Has really helped the performance in low wind. Has allowed the 5-6 mph launch.

power - 14-12-2009 at 05:31 PM

Nice:duh: I've forgotten since the last time I've seen it, but is the vpc the bridle adjustment or the strap inside the kite? And by straps setting to full is that the mechanism above the bar or the straps inside the kite?

power - 14-12-2009 at 05:37 PM

I'm going to get the amsteel tomorow for the pigtails, and I'll see how it works.

flyjump - 14-12-2009 at 05:40 PM

Vpc is the bridal outside the kite. The straps are the internal ones

power - 14-12-2009 at 05:44 PM

Is full depower for the vpc closest to the edge of the bridle or closest to the kite?

flyjump - 14-12-2009 at 05:51 PM

Knot closest to the kite, then unzip kite and pull straps tight

herc - 15-12-2009 at 02:35 PM

i thought loosening the internal straps is better for low wind ? and tightening the straps is better for turning?
(i never messed with the internal straps, just had them loose)

but vpc has some noticable effect: moving the position away from the kite increases turning speed alot !

flyjump - 15-12-2009 at 02:42 PM

It speeds up the kite. I don't usually fly the 16 m in winds lower than 12mph. I keep the straps tight because of that. I used to fly straps loose in lower winds but I didn't like the results, not that everybody would feel this way. It's just my personal preference

power - 15-12-2009 at 06:19 PM

I got the amsteel for the pigtail extensions, and even though it is supposedley 1/8" in diameter, its really about the size of the lines that the bridle of the scorp is made out of. Considering it has a 2300 pound break test, do you guys think I need to double it up? Not that its a real big deal, but it would be a tad more air resistance and it seems completely unecessary considering that even if the knots cut the strength of the rope in half, that's still 1150lbs. If I didn't double it up, what knot would be appropriate for the loop to make the larks head?

power - 15-12-2009 at 07:09 PM

Bump for previous question

power - 15-12-2009 at 08:45 PM

bump again

indigo_wolf - 15-12-2009 at 09:13 PM

Quote:
I got the amsteel for the pigtail extensions, and even though it is supposedley 1/8" in diameter, its really about the size of the lines that the bridle of the scorp is made out of. Considering it has a 2300 pound break test, do you guys think I need to double it up? Not that its a real big deal, but it would be a tad more air resistance and it seems completely unecessary considering that even if the knots cut the strength of the rope in half, that's still 1150lbs. If I didn't double it up, what knot would be appropriate for the loop to make the larks head?


The air resistance won't be that big a deal.... at least not compared to the trade off. Learn to love the larkshead for things like extensions. Any knot you tie will cinch down over time (even on the rear lines).

The larkshead will be easier to undo later if you need to and save you some cursing which will only lead to your cat or dog developing a complex and needing therapy. Save the money for kites.

The other aspect is that by doubling the lines you are making pigtails that are less likely to have the lines slip off of.

Make them up like the diagram up near the top, and get some sleep already, so you can enjoy tomorrow.

Hope that makes sense, otherwise ya got my home number.

Cold front moving in tomorrow... hope it doesn't dampen your stoke tomorrow.

ATB,
Sam

power - 15-12-2009 at 09:23 PM

I'm going to make them now and unless they seem way too fat I'll keep em like that:frog:

power - 15-12-2009 at 10:17 PM

A little too thick with the lines doubled up, and it would have been a pain adjusting the knots after I tied them to make sure that they were all in the same positions on both sides. Instead I did this:

Will it work just as well?

Attachment: pigtail.zip (3kB)
This file has been downloaded 175 times

power - 15-12-2009 at 10:25 PM

How do you make the paint image a smaller file size so you can post it embedded? I did it on another post but I don't remember how.

Kamikuza - 15-12-2009 at 10:44 PM

Problem is it's a zip file, not an image format :)

power - 16-12-2009 at 04:58 PM

But I saved a paint image, and when I said add attachment it said it was too big of a file. I had to zip it to post it. How do you imbed a paint image?

indigo_wolf - 16-12-2009 at 06:19 PM

Save it as a JPG/JPEG next time.

As a BMP file it was 576KB
As a JPG file it's 10.6KB...
with minimal if any visual degradation.

ATB,
Sam

power - 16-12-2009 at 06:39 PM

That's what I did last time. Thanks sam.

Kamikuza - 16-12-2009 at 08:40 PM

Think of a zip file as a suitcase ... you go on holiday with your wife and she takes the whole damn closet "just in case" she needs something - you gotta stuff all the clothes (picture etc files) in the suitcase (zip file) and jump up and down on it to get it all in, but you get more jammed in there in a smaller space than when it's spread across the bed, the sofa, the floor ... the zip file (suitcase) makes it a tidy bundle, all neat and small but you can't wear a suitcase, can you :D

indigo_wolf - 16-12-2009 at 11:29 PM

Quote:

but you can't wear a suitcase, can you:smilegrin:


Well..... one of the times, I thought I was going to go over on the carry on baggage allowance, I.... Ba dum dum. :spin:

ATB,
Sam

P.S. Luckily it was the red-eye, so my attire was considered rather mild and unassuming compared to some other passengers.


Kamikuza - 17-12-2009 at 12:27 AM

Why am I not surprised to hear that from you :lol: