Power Kite Forum - What did you do with your kite today?

What did you do with your kite today?

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adambweird - 6-4-2017 at 04:29 PM

This thread is for sharing what you did with your kite today. Havent seen a thread for it on here and it hardly seems worth it for everyone to start new threads all the time for simple updates. Weve got a thread like this on a motocycle forum that im on and its been going for years now. Always interesting to follow! Ill go first, i was all set to do some street kiting after work in our industrial park (wide open with a barely used road) but got skunked by rain.

ssayre - 6-4-2017 at 04:38 PM

were you going to use the 4m ns3? If I could have only 1 kite for street kite, that would be it. It was by far my most used.

adambweird - 6-4-2017 at 04:58 PM

Yes, had everything with me for it too, lol.

Windstruck - 6-4-2017 at 05:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

were you going to use the 4m ns3? If I could have only 1 kite for street kite, that would be it. It was by far my most used.

Agreed that the 4m NS is "right sized" for many endeavors. I used to own one and oh so foolishly sold it. I actually just reordered one again this week.

Alas, all I did with my kites this week is walk past them in the garage. However, I did place an order for three more to keep them company, does that count? :evil:

I also sent one to TX for repairs after I tried to modify it on the playa from a 6.0m to a 5.5m! :smilegrin:

Randy - 6-4-2017 at 06:15 PM

Today it was 25-40 so pretty wicked and we had 3 inches of rain yesterday so not much sense in even trying to buggy. As a result, I cleaned out my car (mainly kites and other wind toys) and pumped my buggy tires up to proper inflation. I hope. I've been kite/SUP sailing some lately, and was working on my set up for that as well. Mainly a day to prepare for days ahead. As Annie said "The wind will come out tomorrow......"

southpadreburt - 6-4-2017 at 09:31 PM

Had a great day today with my Ozone Summit 10 meter kite. Good wind, lots of sunshine and sand to play in. Another wonderful buggy day.

Windstruck - 7-4-2017 at 04:49 AM

Quote: Originally posted by southpadreburt

Had a great day today with my Ozone Summit 10 meter kite. Good wind, lots of sunshine and sand to play in. Another wonderful buggy day.

Burt - most pleased to hear this! Kites need to be flown, not stored. :thumbup:

eric67m - 7-4-2017 at 11:40 AM

What did I do with my kite today?

I am at work. The winds picked up and a power surge knocked out the phones and the internet at the office. In my car I had my pdk buster soulfly pro 3.3 on short (15ft) lines. Found a section of parking lot without cars and was able to fly for about a half hour.

That is the first time I have been paid to fly a kite...

Cheeks - 7-4-2017 at 12:15 PM

2 Beamers in the Jeep. 1.8m & 2.5m. Wet ground after heavy rains. A no go. Today the wind is 10 g 25mph and guess what?

I cracked to my wife that is a great day to fly a kite and she said.... "go get one in the air"!!!!
:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o

OMG what a wife!:P
I'll take an hour out of my shop and go to the soccer field for a static fly.:D

MadHungarian - 7-4-2017 at 07:06 PM

Received a new PL Voltage 3m today (thanks Big Mike's Kites for the great service). So naturally I had to give it a go. Winds were light, probably 4-7 mph, at best. I static fly at a local park with lots of soccer fields.
I know I need to fly this kite lots more in a variety of conditions to form a definitive opinion, but I can give some initial impressions.
My point of reference is an HQ Toxic 3m.
The Voltage was a lot of work to keep in the air in light winds. Seems sluggish and less responsive than the Toxic. I'm guessing this kite needs more wind to come alive. I'm also guessing it's going to pull more than the Toxic. Build quality is good and what you expect with PL.
Seemed to prefer up turns vice down turns. I need to get used to the shorter PL handles and I'm getting there.
Need to put in lots more hours on this kite.

rtz - 7-4-2017 at 07:22 PM

More often then not; after a day of buggying; I tend to average 16 miles. Today was like that. 3m Flux all day. Top speed of 30 mph.

Back on the grass kite field now that the lake is full again. But it will be back...

southpadreburt - 7-4-2017 at 08:43 PM

Had a little trouble rigging the kite today before a buggy session as the wind was averaging 17 with higher gusts. One bridle was twisted and every time I set the kite on its trailing edge it took off and twisted in a tangled mess. But after getting the bridal straightened the 6 meter access was a joy for the rest of the afternoon. Lots of sunshine, wind and sand to play in. A powered up buggy with an MP3 player is hard to beat.

TEDWESLEY - 8-4-2017 at 05:15 AM

Mainekite and I had our first runs of the spring at Pine Point. Snowkiting is dead for this year (sigh... ) We had a couple of hours of good
runs. No one got hurt, nothing broke, and wet sand is everywhere. Craig's new buggy went like a streak!

ssayre - 8-4-2017 at 07:22 AM

Quote: Originally posted by southpadreburt

Had a little trouble rigging the kite today before a buggy session as the wind was averaging 17 with higher gusts. One bridle was twisted and every time I set the kite on its trailing edge it took off and twisted in a tangled mess. But after getting the bridal straightened the 6 meter access was a joy for the rest of the afternoon. Lots of sunshine, wind and sand to play in. A powered up buggy with an MP3 player is hard to beat.

Jealous. Your location sounds like a kite paradise.

hiaguy - 8-4-2017 at 02:47 PM

First run of the year this afternoon! :D
The combinations of wind/rain or wind/work have been completely frustrating. Until today. Wind/sun finally happened!
With WBB only two weeks away, I had to make sure that the buggys wheels were still round; my poor buggy and kites have been sitting in the garage since coming home from WBB in October. Into the car it went with the 7m and 9m Lynx.
There were puddles everywhere at the park (we had a major rainfall yesterday) and the wind was punchy - 8mph gusting to 20 - so out came the 7m.
There's nothing like the first run after being forced to hibernate all winter. If the measure of a buggy outing is the smile produced, it was great. Not a major outing (3.4miles topping out at 21mph), but I'm ready for the beach!
See y'all at WBB :wee:

Cheddarhead - 8-4-2017 at 07:10 PM

I've walked past my kites everyday for the past month. One of those transitional times of the year. Water isn't quite warm enough for me yet. Still in the 40's. Won't be much longer

abkayak - 9-4-2017 at 04:16 AM

I have 3 straight days of Sun, Sand and Souths 10-20 about to commence if anyone is interested
low tide about 2....jusayin

6pm update
day 1 got in 40 or so miles.... :thumbup:

fun

skimtwashington - 9-4-2017 at 02:54 PM

I street kited...while tide was high... in beach parking lot... half mile long wider segment... good steady wind and zippy runs.. on regular Rollerblades-Talk about low friction transmition!.

3.5m and 2.5 NPW on 25 ft lines.

Single Skins. King of Street Kiting

Soon Beach season will be here and kill this happening for the season, but lot of fun while it lasts.

What will I do with my kites tomorrow??

adambweird - 9-4-2017 at 03:01 PM

I did a lil bit of street kiting myself today too... til i got bucked by an unstable board a few times and my right thigh said no more, lol. Found my rubber bushings to be shot so im sidlined on that front for a lil while.

WELDNGOD - 9-4-2017 at 03:46 PM

Worked on something lenticular for it to pull around......

adambweird - 13-4-2017 at 02:51 PM

Test piloted my buddies Hornet 3m (feels and flys just like my Pepper II) and recieved my buggy rails in the mail. 3 wheels and a seat to go and ill be able to finally buggy!

Tomasz - 13-4-2017 at 05:29 PM

I stared at it longingly wishing for wind!

3shot - 13-4-2017 at 06:17 PM

Put my new NAPKA decals on my buggy. Ready for JIBE. And stared at my pile of kites with anticipation..

adambweird - 15-4-2017 at 03:44 PM

Delivered my buddys Hornet 3m and got him flying today! Started out with 8-10mph wind, but it picked up to 15-20 mph by the end of the session. Things ended when he was running across the football field trying to hang on with me screaming to let go, lol. He did good flying, and he needs to learn theres no shame in using the kite killers. He had his helmet on, wouldnt let him fly without it, he understood why at the end of the session. Ive got him hooked now, lol.

abkayak - 15-4-2017 at 06:53 PM

i got to hang w/ the Dobbs's today :thumbup:

...we caught some punchie 12+ onshore stuff they went Blokart
i had a 7.5 apex that had a grudge and kept trying to kill me...i need longer arms to fly this thing proper
learned that Bigfoots do not like to power slide and tend to lift a wheel on gusts...they also hydroplane in puddles
lot of weird stuff went on today...im all about that though
good times

jimbocz - 16-4-2017 at 06:27 AM

Yesterday I went to one of my favourite beaches, Llangennith, on the Gower peninsula in Wales. I've done a lot of work on my buggy to get ready for JIBE and wanted to check everything is OK. Unfortunately, I moved the seat and messed up the adjustment so that my knees were around my chin! Flew like that for an hour or so before I walked back to the car and got the wrenches.

It was a long day, a 3.5 hour drive in each direction but well worth it to clear the cobwebs out.

Sorry for the video quality, I had to ask a random beachgoer to take it:

https://vimeo.com/213414153

smiler8401 - 16-4-2017 at 12:30 PM

It is long overdue test flight of my newly purchased kite due to bad weather and lack of wind . it arrived several week ago .
it were Liquid force elite 15m .
so last week-end the forecast show some decent wind at local beach but end-up
3-5knot max and manage to get half hour riding before the wind died .
then only this week-end the wind steady 5-7 knot , manage try some jumping until i heard a crack sound while landing .the ply is cracking but lucky still able to ride for 2 more hour .
yeah some good ride time ......with a broken board .

i guess it about time. the board had been 3 year , it had been doing guesstimate
150+ hours . have to look for a new landboard .

it the first test ride video .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZxUJcy5CUo&feature=yout...

carltb - 16-4-2017 at 01:00 PM

i did this on my 13.5 and 9m leopard

https://www.facebook.com/carl.kirton.3/videos/vb.1153269341/...

XXL - 16-4-2017 at 01:59 PM

Buggyed a bit wit a older xm quadrifoil winds were just howling 20-30 It was a very gusty day made getting a good run difficult. Learned a bit and even had the buggy up on two wheels a few times something a bit new to me.

Windstruck - 16-4-2017 at 02:43 PM

Well, no riding (again) this weekend, but I did complete a highly satisfying kite-related project so that counts for something I hope. My Born-Kite adjustable width LS2 bar had a chicken loop on it that I really didn't like and I had a spare that I was very pleased with so I decided to swap them out. By the way Steffen has the lines strung this was pretty major line surgery that involved both the clam cleat mechanism and the chicken loop/5th line. I took pictures of the setup from multiple angles to refer back to for reassembly. Glad I did that!

It took about an hour and was worth every minute! No it wasn't kiting with a sail in the air but it gave me time to dream. :D

3shot - 16-4-2017 at 03:09 PM

Threw the Ace II 4m around the local field for about an hour today. Damn I'm outta shape.. :lol:

abkayak - 16-4-2017 at 03:17 PM

all wrong or dead calm all day...
then it lit up onshore 15+...started w/ 4.9 blade and the bug and found myself overpowerd for an hr of mostly defensive flying
went to 3.5...and the winds shut off completely...very weird
no complaints though

Unk - 17-4-2017 at 05:17 AM

I got out on the buggy for an hour on Sat morning just toodling about as I had not been out for a wee while, just a grand way to start the weekend.
Then on the Sat night I got 3 hour pass :D as the family were all watching some rubbish on the tv, the wind was now about 20mph gusting into the high 20's then dropping to next to nothing, time to break out the buster and hang on :evil:
Got home about 9 in the evening and I felt like I had done 10 rounds in the boxing ring but with a big cheesy grin.

JimSSI - 17-4-2017 at 10:49 AM

On Saturday, one of the best JI days ever - excellent wind, low tide, late afternoon, steadily decreasing number of people - cruised end-to-end a couple of times, got up to 30 mph in some spots. Flew the 5.5 Reactor all day.

What would have been perfect was to have a dozen more of us out there.

On Sunday, couldn't buy a break on SSI. Winds decreased faster than I could deploy bigger kites - ended up scudding around under the 8.6 - not enough wind during the lulls for my buggy skills (or lack thereof.)

Tomasz - 17-4-2017 at 03:24 PM

Got out on my PL Leaopard 9m on Saturday and got my fastest buggy ride to date on the beach. Reached 38.9mph! Only had 2 OBE's, lol. One of them was when I was trying to traverse a rocky part of the beach. Got quite the charlie horse on my thigh on that one. That'll teach me (or not).

adambweird - 17-4-2017 at 05:16 PM

Didnt do anything with my kites, but found out Peter Lynn has discontinued 15mm buggy wheels. Only learned that because my wife was gonna order me some for my birthday...

jimbocz - 18-4-2017 at 03:05 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Unk

I got out on the buggy for an hour on Sat morning just toodling about as I had not been out for a wee while, just a grand way to start the weekend.
Then on the Sat night I got 3 hour pass :D as the family were all watching some rubbish on the tv, the wind was now about 20mph gusting into the high 20's then dropping to next to nothing, time to break out the buster and hang on :evil:
Got home about 9 in the evening and I felt like I had done 10 rounds in the boxing ring but with a big cheesy grin.

Where do you live? You must be right on the beach to be able to sneak out like that.

Unk - 18-4-2017 at 04:38 AM

Not on the beach unfortunately, but I have 3 football pitch's and an old unused cricket area just 5 min from the house.
In the morning and evening the only other users are joggers and dog walkers who mainly stick to the paths.

The nearest beach is 25min away but not any use if the wind direction has an N in it :rolleyes:

if I'm going to make a day of it 45min up to St Andrews :thumbup:

NeverBoard - 18-4-2017 at 01:43 PM

Landboarding at Long Beach, BC with SE wind and rain. On a FS Viron 6m and an old MBS. The sand was packed way up the beach for a nice big rideable area. Got soaking wet- worth it.

Blitzhound - 18-4-2017 at 03:43 PM

Got out in the bug today. Don't know what the wind was. I was in such a hurry to get out of the house. I forgot my meter. I'd guess around 15-20mph. Spent about 2 hours with the 4.5m Century II. Had a blast. But wind was offshore and gusty. So switched to the 8m Neo. Wind really picked up. Today's secret word is OVERPOWERED! IT was good fun. Had a blast. At one point I turned up wind trying to take some speed off. And she just drug me sideways right in to the surf. Haha. We got a little wet. Wish I had it on video. I'm sure everyone would get a good laugh. First session of the year without rain and I still managed to get wet haha.

abkayak - 18-4-2017 at 04:36 PM

Quote: Originally posted by NeverBoard

Landboarding at Long Beach, BC with SE wind and rain. On a FS Viron 6m and an old MBS. The sand was packed way up the beach for a nice big rideable area. Got soaking wet- worth it.

hey...where'd you come from? ohh LB, BC...welcome!

Bladerunner - 19-4-2017 at 03:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by NeverBoard

Landboarding at Long Beach, BC with SE wind and rain. On a FS Viron 6m and an old MBS. The sand was packed way up the beach for a nice big rideable area. Got soaking wet- worth it.

Welcome NeverBoard,

Are you living out near Long Beach? Have you tried Chesterman beach on a low tide? Seems it would be good for almost any wind direction or at least days that are not onshore? Just not sure how hard packed it gets?

NeverBoard - 19-4-2017 at 04:28 PM

Hello, nice to meet you! Sorry for the sneaky entrance. I'm based in Vancouver. I was talking to someone at Garry Point who led me to this forum (amazed by all of the knowledge on here). I have family on Vancouver Island which makes it easy to get out to the w coast.

I haven't kited chesterman's. I bet it gets packed down - I remember riding a bike on the sand at low tide there no problem.

adambweird - 23-4-2017 at 03:09 PM

Got out with my son today to do some more teaching with my 1.3. His frustration level was quite high, lol. But, for a 5 yr old, hes doing ok, crashes a LOT, but is starting to have longer and longer times in the air.

JimSSI - 23-4-2017 at 04:31 PM

Today they watched Ted and me
assemble the Black Widow. Yesterday, the 6.9 on a semi-crowded SSI East Beach. Two new things, first, when the tide goes out and the wind is high, wow, does it ever c-c-c-or-or-or-a-a-a-gate the sand. And two, horses leave some serious deep hoofprints.

Randy - 23-4-2017 at 05:12 PM

Rainy today - started work on my 2.5 M's replacement......

adambweird - 26-4-2017 at 03:12 PM

No flying as it was family play at the park day, but i got my 2.2 sent out for quad line conversion by riffclown and my new bushings and piviot cups came in for my board... hopefully ill be able to stay up at 15+mph now, lol.

abkayak - 26-4-2017 at 05:16 PM

i packed for WW :thumbup:

carltb - 27-4-2017 at 04:25 AM

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=M2lukCI3xCo

Demoknight - 27-4-2017 at 08:39 AM

I let my kite sit in the bag for another day

soliver - 27-4-2017 at 01:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Demoknight

I let my kite sit in the bag for another day

You and me both friend,... only 9 more days 'til JI though :o !!!!!!!!

Windstruck - 27-4-2017 at 01:51 PM

At long last today I received my order from Born-Kites. I am now the proud owner of 5.5 and 7.5m LS2s (strikingly beautiful if I may say so myself) and a (renewed) owner of a 4.0m NS3.

What I did get to do today other than google at all of this kite beauty is re-string the NS3 for Z-bridles. Better than nothing!

I can't wait to fly these and any other kites in my quiver down on the "beach" of the Great Salt Lake. Alas, it snowed at my house and rained at the lake today, postponing my adventures yet again. Blast!

I have been reading with great joy these past days of all the pent up excitement building along the Eastern Seaboard. Go get some guys!!!

soliver - 27-4-2017 at 03:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Windstruck

...
I have been reading with great joy these past days of all the pent up excitement building along the Eastern Seaboard. Go get some guys!!!

Alas, there is no emoji for peeing oneself in excitement :no:

...

Demoknight - 27-4-2017 at 03:16 PM

Quote: Originally posted by soliver

Quote: Originally posted by Demoknight

I let my kite sit in the bag for another day

You and me both friend,... only 9 more days 'til JI though :o !!!!!!!!

I will be pulling the buggy out of my basement this weekend to put tubes and Dynabeads in the tires. I haven't had my ass in a buggy seat since JIBE last year. I need this.

TEDWESLEY - 27-4-2017 at 03:22 PM

I was doing up-winders and down-winders on the beach at Jekyll. No real onshore yet, but it sure beats Maine in April !

NeverBoard - 28-4-2017 at 01:27 PM

Quote:

my new bushings and piviot cups came in for my board

Nothing like new pivot cups bushings to freshen up a set of skate trucks!

I kited at Garry Point Park. Sunny day, light WSW. Peak 2 9m and landboard. New bearings, grip tape, and de-wedged the back truck 15 deg... seemed to carve pretty good (possible placebo effect). Fun.

Randy - 28-4-2017 at 03:31 PM

Went to my regular spot today and rode my buggy with my 5.5. NS2. I was happy to see a guy mowing around the edges. After about an hour he seemed to be working his way inside and I called it a day - a good one.

ssayre - 29-4-2017 at 07:53 AM

Big shout out to Randy. He very generously gave me a 2.9m RASA or is it RANPW (Randy made Nasa). I'll let him decide. His kite making skills are impressive. Hopefully this will be the kick in the ass to get me out on the longboard again. Thanks man! Also, we have partnered on a side project that hopefully works out. I won't go into it now, you guys will just have to wait.

Since I have sold the majority of my kites and gear, I like to acquire / keep only the kites that mean something to me now instead of acquiring gear to accomplish a certain traction goal. If I can do both at once, than even better.

D Cheek - 29-4-2017 at 09:14 AM

Started getting my gear ready for my trip to JIBE. Finished the trailer mods for supporting my buggy on a new rack. Painted the floor with Poly and Monday go to the fab shop to cut and weld.

Pulled out all the kites, shook the sand out the bags and checked to see if I had handles in each one.

Still have to put my buggy back together. We have a little wind today Might try to put up my 8.6 Reactor. :P

Randy - 29-4-2017 at 01:28 PM

Finished my new NPW 21 using Ian's design and flew it for the first time. Looked pretty good. Also, getting my gear ready for Jekyll!

Thanks Sean - how about - RPW?

ssayre - 29-4-2017 at 02:35 PM

RPW. Of course. I should have thought of that. I actually have 2 RPW now

Randy - 29-4-2017 at 03:04 PM

I have a lot more than that. I've lost count.

soliver - 29-4-2017 at 05:18 PM

RPW... awesomeness... Randy gave me an awesome single line kite I may be able to use for KAP at JIBE and it is outstandingly made... he is a craftsman for sure you guys!

Still no kiting for me, but just starting to get ready for JIBE... I ordered a new splash guard fro AWOC and finally received it today (back ordered I s'pose)... gonna get it on the Stinger tonight!.

Getting excited y'all!!!

adambweird - 30-4-2017 at 05:29 PM

Got word my 2.2 is done and will be heading back soon. Sporadic rain thwarted any flying but i had a great time wrenching on the bikes with my son and gave him a ride on the R1 in the driveway and rode next to him down the street while he ripped down the sidewalk on his big wheel trying to "beat me".

Windstruck - 30-4-2017 at 05:48 PM

No, I didn't fly today (again). Hey, at least it didn't snow. What I did do was rig my three-line adjustable width B-K bar with easy-to-use width adjusters and a chicken loop (it had a trapeze before that I wasn't that thrilled with. I used a bunch of spare parts and cobbled something together that I think will work quite nicely.

I also took soap and water to two more of my unwashed kites from IBX last month. The smell coming off the kites with all that fine playa dust on them is so distinctive! Brings back great memories. I still haven't washed my 9.5m LS2 or 12m P3. I've been putting that off as they are so bloody big! I need a warm day with no wind so I can dry them outside after getting them all sparkly again.

soliver - 2-5-2017 at 11:13 AM

In preparation for JIBE, a couple days ago I installed my new PL Splashguard on my Stinger buggy (now an interesting mish mash of parts).

And today I unfurled my 6m P1 to untangle the lines that got a little flip flopped last time I went buggying because the kite luffed and turned in on itself then came out the other end, so to speak.

Super excited to cruise the JI and SSI beaches over the next 2 weeks!

locomote - 3-5-2017 at 08:45 AM

Hi all!

I'm Ron/locomote, newly joined here, and freshly back into kiting as an adult. Last real flying was done with cellophane kites of the '60s (and vinyl deltas)....thinking the cello ones were called something like Hi-Miler, a little larger than the average paper diamond kites, and had a plane imprinted on the material.

I had mentioned getting a Synapse and an Ozone Ignition over at silverfish and member
B-Roc invited me to check out PKF. Glad I have, as it has been real helpful, thanks to all the great posts sharing what others have learned.

I spent an hour or so flying the Synapse 200 last evening in a different, less cluttered local lot (see below), than where I had been flying. There was just barely enough wind when it gusted, to keep it filled, give a good pull, and stay aloft. We've had lots of rain, and inconsistant winds. Lot size and orientation to the wind gave me just part of the window to work with. Couldn't go full left for a bank of trees there.

I had tree'd it elsewhere, the week before, but after a few days was able to retrieve it with a pole trimmer at about 26' up. Kite and bridles survived the ordeal, tree only suffered a few small (and properly done) pruning cuts to untangle the lines. I lucked out, in that it was just within reach of my equipment.

Glad to be here, and THANK YOU ALL, for sharing your knowledge. It will help greatly as I move forward. I don't see water or beaches as part of it at this point, but do hope to eventually get a landboard.

hiaguy - 3-5-2017 at 09:33 AM

I looked at my kites... yup there they are, sadly sitting in the back of my car. (I haven't had time to finish unpacking them yet.)
After getting so much attention last week at WBB, they are now truly unhappy with me. Maybe I'll wash a couple of them to let them know that I still care.
Only 161 days to wait 'till we see the sand at Wildwood again, in the meantime it'll be little kites at my local park :wee:

BTW: Welcome to the addicition locomote!

adambweird - 4-5-2017 at 03:34 PM

Recieved my Symphony 2.2.4 from riffclown today! The conversion looks great! Now for the rain to stop so i can fly it!!

Randy - 4-5-2017 at 03:50 PM

Finished sewing and started bridling my 3.75 Sq. M NPW 21. Rainy days help with productivity.

Windstruck - 4-5-2017 at 05:47 PM

Finally took warm water and soap to my two final kites from IBX. They were my two largest (9.5 and 12m) and I guess I was putting it off because they are both so darn big! They are now sparkly clean and crispy as their first days. Whippee! :D

Randy - 4-5-2017 at 06:15 PM

Not to go too far off topic, but do you just let them soak in warm water or do you scrub it (gently, I presume)?

locomote - 4-5-2017 at 07:55 PM

Thanks hiaguy.

Windstruck - 4-5-2017 at 08:39 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Randy

Not to go too far off topic, but do you just let them soak in warm water or do you scrub it (gently, I presume)?

For a large kite like this I get a big plastic tub and use a about 1/4 cup of liquid laundry detergent and fill up the tub about half way with warm water. In goes the kite. Once I get it completely submersed and worked around a bit gently I let it sit for about 15 minutes. I do work the kite in the water, but I do so quite gently, sort of moving it around and gently rubbing one part of the kite with other parts of the kite.

Dump it out on my driveway and then get all the soapy water out with a garden hose. Final step, lay it out to dry.

Important note: I've only done this single skin kites. I'm not sure how easy it would be to get the soapy water out of a traditional foil.

TEDWESLEY - 5-5-2017 at 05:26 AM

You might want to check the instructions for your various wings. I know that my Ozone and I'm pretty sure the Flysurfers
both specifically warn against detergents. I think that the playa dust responds well to vinegar and water. There was a thread on the subject a couple of years ago. Cue the beloved Indigo.

eric67m - 5-5-2017 at 11:02 AM

Wait, I shouldn't be cleaning my kite in a laundry machine? You're method sounds like it would result in less tangles in the bridal lines.

Just to be clear I am joking.

Wind_dog - 5-5-2017 at 11:21 AM

Best way to get off that playa dust is to head to the beach.
After a few inadvertent ker-splooshes they were dust free.
No detergent needed.
Good thing for me that single skins fly wet!
Air dry in a minute.

Randy - 5-5-2017 at 05:27 PM

"Finished" my NPW 21 today so that it is now ready to fly. Hope to check it out before I leave for Jekyll. Do have to verify the bridles and trim before its done.

soliver - 5-5-2017 at 09:58 PM

Loaded both cars for JIBE ... Leaving tomorrow... see you there Randy!

soliver - 6-5-2017 at 05:45 AM

Jekyll bound!!

Anthonyshopguy - 6-5-2017 at 10:15 AM

Hey everyone giving this thread a whirl. IBX was like yesterday,yes? Headed from there to Corpus Christi. The people at fixmykite gave me great info on where to camp and where to kite. Wheee haw I figured out the water!!! By day 2 I logged over 8 miles. Didn't feel quite confident to attempt bay crossing to the aircraft carrier with the fixmykite crowd. But joined them by car and had beers and BS on the beach. Grand Times. Fast forward a week Gulfport Mississippi logged another 20 miles or so on the water and started working on looping turns. Fast forward to last Wed, my kiting buddy Todd had met a professional film crew on the Mesa a couple of days earlier and they were all excited about doing some filming. Windstruck the season is far from over here. 6" of fresh on really solid base combined with 14 MPH with gusts to 20 burned it up. My tracking app said 23 Mph and another 10 miles :cool:

HD shoulder mount camera, Drone, and point and shoot 35m, hey we even got two of the crew out with a 3 and 5 foil on skies. What a day can't wait for more wind. :smilegrin:

Randy - 6-5-2017 at 02:47 PM

My 3.75 NPW 21 flew "right out of the box" today. Also did a little kite sailing at the local lake with one of my other NPW's.

soliver - 6-5-2017 at 02:53 PM

Oops... wrong thread!

abkayak - 6-5-2017 at 03:02 PM

i had 18/28 onshore day...got 3 hrs of lowtide riding in....foam all over the place almost 2ft thick in spots...faceshots
:thumbup:

filthy stuff

Wind_dog - 6-5-2017 at 09:33 PM

Three hours non-stop buggy seat time on the beach.
So happy season is coming on!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/321067984609701/permalink/13...

Bladerunner - 7-5-2017 at 08:52 AM

We were invited to fly for the tall ship festival at Garry point.

It is noteworthy since we were banned from the park completely a couple of years ago. If nothing else we have shown all interested that we can share even I tiny section of the park with our Rev' team and paragliders kiting their sails.

Back today but I don't think the wind got the message?

Blitzhound - 7-5-2017 at 11:55 AM

Well...yesterday I officially blew out several cells in a kite. Wind was 30-35mph I decided to try buggyin with a 1.5m Alpha. Only because I'd never tried using it to buggy for. I was trying to keep an eye on a car on the beach. Took my attention off the kite for a moment and pile drove it into the hard pack. Blew out 3 cells. While this kite has survived many years of abuse and has chopped a lot of wood. I'm not sure Its worth repairing. After that I switched to a 2.0 Pansh legend. I forgot how much that kite sucked. I had hoped my initial opinion was due to lack of experience now that I have had close to a year of buggyin since the last time I used it and after spending 3hours and over 18 miles with it in the buggy. I can safely say that this kite is still garbage.

locomote - 22-5-2017 at 06:06 AM

I flew my 7 Flux for the first time yesterday. What a hoot! It was work, in higher winds than I maybe should have been in for a first flight of anything bigger than 3m, but kept it under control straining at the brakes. I let it go to the kite killers twice as practice, did a couple reverse launches successfuly out of several tries. It didn't pull me off my feet but I think I ran faster and lighter of foot than ever before. Enthralled by the torque and slow turning of it. Braking seemed a bit less efficient that it ought to have been. I reckon I need to check and adjust lines based on an experience with another kite. Twice I dropped to the ground to increase my odds of keeping control, scudding a short ways once, leaping into a run another. Never really went up in the middle of the power zone but crossed it a couple times trying to play low and to the sides. Most of it was working on small ground movements just off the ground from side to side, lifting a couple feet then reparking, righting its orientation, and hanging out at the side. Oh, and untangling after the releases. But a total riot was had. Happy to have survived it unscathed and with no bad memories. Gotta have more, but will throw on some skate gear for sure.

locomote - 22-5-2017 at 06:07 AM

Editing mistake, sorry.

Windstruck - 22-5-2017 at 08:10 AM

Quote: Originally posted by locomote

I flew my 7 Flux for the first time yesterday. What a hoot! It was work, in higher winds than I maybe should have been in for a first flight of anything bigger than 3m, but kept it under control straining at the brakes. I let it go to the kite killers twice as practice, did a couple reverse launches successfuly out of several tries. It didn't pull me off my feet but I think I ran faster and lighter of foot than ever before. Enthralled by the torque and slow turning of it. Braking seemed a bit less efficient that it ought to have been. I reckon I need to check and adjust lines based on an experience with another kite. Twice I dropped to the ground to increase my odds of keeping control, scudding a short ways once, leaping into a run another. Never really went up in the middle of the power zone but crossed it a couple times trying to play low and to the sides. Most of it was working on small ground movements just off the ground from side to side, lifting a couple feet then reparking, righting its orientation, and hanging out at the side. Oh, and untangling after the releases. But a total riot was had. Happy to have survived it unscathed and with no bad memories. Gotta have more, but will throw on some skate gear for sure.

Sounds as if you are having a blast. Great that you are working the kite as described. This will pay big dividends down the road for sure. If you haven't already done so please be sure to don a helmet. Doing what you're doing may lead to its practical use. :karate:

locomote - 23-5-2017 at 06:29 AM

Thanks windstruck.....it's good advice that wont go ignored. I have pads and padded shorts, and a padded moto jacket that can be added in until a more suitable body (torso) armour is bought. I do hope to get into the landboarding side at the least, and understand the importance of dressing appropriately, having been saved from great harm by full gear in a motorcycle accident. I appreciate the reminder!

adambweird - 27-5-2017 at 01:32 PM

Tossed 6 single liners to the sky with my son and layed out on the grass watching him run from shadow to shadow for the better part of half an hour... then i had to go join him, he said so, lol. Had a few folks walk by and check it out but no one came over. Kinda a bummer since i had a couple more single liners in the truck, lol.

locomote - 31-5-2017 at 04:53 AM

As I was folding up my Smithi after the last flight Monday, I saw to top bridles hanging loose. One of these spliced loops came loose. I believe it came out (the loop closest to the awl) while sorting out my final tangle for the day. That lower left side rope was 3/4" longer than the one for the right, the red pen markings to note the end of each loop not centered-each off by 3/8". I fed their ends in more, adjusting them all to match, so now the two lines are the same length. The stopper knots at the pulleys were also off 3/4" so I moved one to bring them within an 1/8" of being in the same spot.

I dont know of those small differences would have caused any issues, but I figure it's better to have it evened up.

Suds after thuds - 31-5-2017 at 05:06 AM

A week ago today I tested out a new camera mount and got my feet wet for the first time this year. Somehow I managed to bust half of the GoPro clip and wound up with my camera in my hand. Glad I didn't donate anything to the sea.
I tried a new to me software out too:

soliver - 31-5-2017 at 08:08 AM

Today I looked at the power kite forum whilst at work,... :no:

in other news I have received a lineset from Angus and plan to convert my 2.2m Symphony Beach with Riffclown 2.2.4 conversion and turn it into a 4 line kite to teach my oldest daughter (and have a fun toy or even a possible insane-o storm wind kite)... if I can actually find the time to do it, :lol:

Unk - 7-6-2017 at 11:53 PM

Today I looked out the window at work watching the trees swaying in a lovely low 20's wind, got home dropped the wee man of at scouts and straight over to the playing fields to stand for an hour wondering where the wind had gone

Why do the wind god's tease me so?

Randy - 8-6-2017 at 05:27 PM

Yesterday and today I had my first half dozen rides on the Monohull kite boat. Nothing super exciting, but I'm learning the basics. Started with 2.0 foil yesterday and as the wind slacked off today went to 3 and the 4.2 NPWs. Here is short vid. Had better runs but didn't film them.

Ed Cline - 10-6-2017 at 04:13 AM

No wind in Raleigh for three weeks, no promise for this weekend either. Revisiting other interests.

Randy - 10-6-2017 at 05:15 AM

Ed, check around see if any place in the rest of the world has our wind. Tell em we want it back.

Ed Cline - 10-6-2017 at 10:12 AM

I heard a weather report on WSB Atlanta 750AM. No soap!
Time to pull out the big guns.

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