shortlineflyer - 28-1-2014 at 08:30 AM
I also fly dual lines and there is a kite I have always wanted to add to my collection just because it is so unique but I have been unable to find any
anywhere. It is the Flying Wings Utopia. Does anyone have one?
Smeagol - 28-1-2014 at 10:48 AM
Don't have one personally, but I can keep an eye out for you. You may try pinging folks on GWTW forum if you're on there. I'm pretty sure I saw one on
there recently although I'm not sure if it sold. I'll double check for ya.
indigo_wolf - 28-1-2014 at 04:33 PM
You might also want to reach out to Charlie Whitaker (Kite-Classifieds) and Rob Banks (WindsweptKites). Both are likely to come across Utopias in the
course of their travels.
U2U me if you need contact info for either of them.
ATB,
Sam
B-Roc - 28-1-2014 at 05:59 PM
I have one. Teal and Purple. I have marked the bridle with Martin's extreme setting and probably have the documentation which still explains that.
I haven't flown it in probably 3 years. It was known for having its fittings deteriorate but last I looked the spreader fittings were fine. All the
standoff fittings broke and I can't recall if I replaced them with jacos or a prism style fitting. I know I only replaced them with one and I
swapped out the standoffs leaving the fitting on the sail. I used pink nail polish to thicken the SO as the replacement fitting had a wider interior
diameter. The pink helps you find the SOs if you ever drop them on the grass. It wasn't a super pretty way to build the SO up but it was super
effective. I also marked the tail sail SO with white paint so I wouldn't get confused on what went where. One of the LE spars arrived warped (I am
the original owner) at the spreader fitment. I have a spare I believe but for the 3 years or so I flew the kite the warp never cracked and I wrapped
it in heatshrink material to build it up and support it from day one so I wouldn't bother to replace it unless it failed.
I looked at selling it a few years ago but it cost around $25 to ship it and I wanted $75 for the kite so at the time I didn't bother. Not sure if I
would sell it as its a great keepsake but hit me up via a u2u if you don't find one elsewhere. I knew a guy who had atleast a dozen but have since
lost touch with him.
From the picture it looks like I put tape on the spreaders to prevent the SOs from sliding - but I really don't recall.
I bought this while looking at TrickTails as most of the flying I did was of ULs or SULs but this was a great purchase. Super quirky kite but not as
tough to fly as others claim. Killer fades, good cascades and you can flic-flac it too. I think I was working on JLs or backflips with the kite as I
recall making a custom tip wrap line at one point but don't recall how well that worked out. I also can't recall how consistently it backspun. Once
you find what setting you like you mostly stay there and just switch the SOs for wind strength and maybe the spreader fittings - I cut mine to allow
for the 4 position adjustment as opposed to the factory default of 2.
B-Roc - 28-1-2014 at 06:08 PM
shortlineflyer - 29-1-2014 at 05:31 AM
B-ROc are you going to WBB this spring. Could I fly it there. I have alot of experience with dual line kites and must have around a dozen.
B-Roc - 29-1-2014 at 09:40 AM
I never make it to WW. Spring and fall are my most busy travel times for work and I'm usually away on business during the week the event is hosted.
I flew sport kites for over 12 years before getting into the power side of the sport. I think I have over 30 dual line and SLKs. I use to fly every
day at lunch but just don't have the time for that anymore and my kids never really picked it up. I miss it but if the wind is blowing I way prefer
my foils these days. I'm sure the Nahant crew is going to WW so if needed reach out to me around that time and maybe I can send it with one of them
if I'm around to drop it off with one of them before they leave.