Power Kite Forum

Scotty! Must... Have... More... Power!

Insect0man - 17-1-2010 at 08:03 PM

Quote:
Scotty replied
Aye Captain, but the Hydra 350 is generating as much power as she can in these pathetic, puny, 3 to 8 (gusting to 12) mph winds. And if you don't mind me saying so - your hulking 203 pounds isn't helping the ATB to gain any speed on this packed dirt either!


Quote:
Rod Sterling explains
Imagine if you will - Captain Kirk, standing looking silly; dressed in helmet and pads upon a stationary ATB with the Hydra 350 furiously flailing figure 8's.

standing looking silly; dressed in helmet and pads upon a stationary ATB with the Hydra 350 furiously flailing figure 8's because.... he's in the underpowered zone.

(que twilight zone theme)

Quote:
Checkoff interjects
Yes, and the NeoII 11m stands ready in the shuttle way, but alas, the awailable winds just don't seem to be enough to enwable her control surfaces to actuate and steer the wessle.


Correct Mr. Checkoff. Correct.

So what is the crew to do? Would a larger fixed bridle kite, say the Scout 5m, be able to break the captain's ATB free of the frictional forces induced by packed dirt...

...or his he doomed, statuesque as he is, to be stationary in his silly suit forever?

OR - what... say... ye? Solutions people, we need solutions!

pigryder - 18-1-2010 at 05:40 PM

Man Ive been wanting a Hydra 350......

Insect0man - 18-1-2010 at 06:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by pigryder
Man Ive been wanting a Hydra 350......


It's a fun kite to fly. I'm finding my routine is to warm up with the hydra whilst waiting for the winds to pick up enough to launch the Neo (which can be several hours, if at all).

If you work it, it'll fly in 3mph winds. I love the ease with which it reverse launches in the same winds too. Flown it in 15mph gusting to 27 - THAT was a blast and a fun workout.

Turns fast... and so far construction is bomb proof. I crashed it quite a bit the first couple of sessions. Haven't tried it on water yet, but I'm planning on trying it with a kayak this summer.

I'd Deffinately recommend the Hyrda - It's a keeper. :thumbup:

I'd just like something a little more powerful to fill in between the Hyrda and the Neo.

pigryder - 18-1-2010 at 07:20 PM

Def gonna have one of dem! I just picked up the Apex to help fill the void of high wind kites

I havent even got a chance to fly it yet :puzzled:

RonH - 18-1-2010 at 08:42 PM

Quote:

Correct Mr. Checkoff. Correct. So what is the crew to do? Would a larger fixed bridle kite, say the Scout 5m, be able to break the captain's ATB free of the frictional forces induced by packed dirt... ...or his he doomed, statuesque as he is, to be stationary in his silly suit forever? OR - what... say... ye? Solutions people, we need solutions!


So... The problem is the 3mph... I have a PL Reactor 8.3 and 5-6 is OK. K3 has a reactor 10.8 and 4-5 is the low end.

You need a minimum 7 meter FB foil ride in those conditions.

Ron

WolfWolfee - 18-1-2010 at 09:54 PM

I think the main problem is faulty dilithium crystals....lol

Insect0man - 19-1-2010 at 09:38 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by RonH
You need a minimum 7 meter FB foil ride in those conditions.


Thanks Ron. Ok, suggestions for 7m FB Foils anyone?

In the mean time, jumping from the Hydra 350 to a 7m... hmm... from what I've been reading that's a pretty aggressive transition.

So, I've gone ahead and put a Scout 5m on order to make the move less bumpy. I don't want to be disappeared like SandMan2...

Quote:
Originally posted by SandMan2
I don't feel like the 6.3 is out of my control.
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=6216


Well, might as well admit it...

Hello, my name is Bill; and I'm a kite-o-holic.

bobalooie57 - 19-1-2010 at 09:48 AM

Hi Bill, we heard that! Yeah, the 5 will always be there for you, and it won't be your last anyway....hehehe!:yes:

indigo_wolf - 19-1-2010 at 10:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Insect0man
Thanks Ron. Ok, suggestions for 7m FB Foils anyone?


Although I was tempted more than once, I don't believe the 7.0M Bullet was ever snagged.



Asking price on it (RTF) was $200 shipped to the lower 48.

ATB,
Sam

bobalooie57 - 19-1-2010 at 10:37 AM

You had to, didn't ya Sam? I had all but forgotten the lovely green of that kite, and the not so high pile o' green that it would take to get it. Now you've gone and re-fired those synapses.:duh::lol:

Insect0man - 19-1-2010 at 11:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by indigo_wolf
I don't believe the 7.0M Bullet was ever snagged.


Hmmm, very tempting Sam, very tempting. Do you have to have a boatramp nearby to fly it?

Quote:

...On two wheels for a good 50 foot then back to two headed for the end of the park faster than God could fly thinking “MY GOD MY ARMS ARE GOING TO RIP OFF MY BODY” my next thought was OH #@%$#! no more room and I can’t turn going this fast shot off of the grass field went from 60 MPH to 80 MPH when I hit the asphalt the police officer seeing all this had stopped the traffic, I flew across the intersection. Thinking while I am screaming what do I do now, head to the boat dock!!!...

http://www.racekites.com/reviews/getReview.asp?reviewID=627

Funny story - fortunately with a happy ending. {shudder}

indigo_wolf - 19-1-2010 at 11:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted bobalooie57
You had to, didn't ya Sam? I had all but forgotten the lovely green of that kite, and the not so high pile o' green that it would take to get it. Now you've gone and re-fired those synapses.


I would have been happy to keep it off everyone's radar (including my own), except for the directed request for a 7M FB. I have the munchkin version of the kite and it is indeed a lovely shade of green that nicely complements and frames the gray. Put some Celtic music on the headphones and you're good to go. ;-)

Now would be a good time to ponder the alternate definition of kite flying.... a self-perpetuating co-dependency... sigh. If you like a kite, there is a better than average chance that it will cause a friend to torque his/her neck too and you'll both end up talking about it until one or the other buys it.... with the partner in crime claiming visitation rights. :wow:

ATB,
Sam

indigo_wolf - 19-1-2010 at 12:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Insect0man
Do you have to have a boatramp nearby to fly it?


No boatramp, but I would be willing to provide a case of garbage bags to fill with water and deploy across the field to act as emergency braking devices, if you promise to film it all.

'Sides I would expect that with the phasers and photon torpedos options on the landboard, pedestrian, vehicular or even stationary obstacles shouldn't present too much of a problem. Of course, the local constabulary might not see the humour.

Quote:

Went to the far end of the field checking the wind grabbed a hunk of grass and flipped it into the air SWISH IT WAS GONE! I figured it was blowing about 5 or 6 MPH...


SWISH IT WAS GONE = 5 or 6 MPH? Errr... ummm.... I don't think so. Sounds like someone needs to get the hairs on the back of their neck recalibrated.

ATB,
Sam

Insect0man - 19-1-2010 at 12:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by indigo_wolf
SWISH IT WAS GONE = 5 or 6 MPH? Errr... ummm.... I don't think so.


"Skymate Hand-Held Wind Meter, Yellow" -- well worth $66
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AY6UV/ref=ox_ya_oh_pro...

I like my risks to be calculated... and calibrated.