hankster - 7-11-2007 at 10:33 PM
i've had the 9m boom vector for a while now and as a lot is not known about this closed cell foil thought i'd write a small reveiw.the boom vector
is'nt made anymore it was in fact the 1st depower kite to hit the market some will say it was flysurfer but it was the vector fact.when they 1st came
out they had a small windrange about 8 knots but they've had a lot of upgrades since speed system 1,then speed system 2 the same as the frenzies.it
then went to cygnus sails in england to have a velcro opening sewn in and 1" drainage foil tubes put on the trailing edge on each tip.the idea of the
velcro opening is if the kite crashed the air could escape without bursting a cell,the drainage tips is quite obvious to let water out when
crashed.the foil itself comes in a nice tubular stuffsac with a strap and buckle to sling over your shoulder it also has a mesh bottom to let out sand
ect.
now to setting up and flying the bar on the 9m and 11.5m is 70cm long which i thought was a bit long but its handy in low winds.it has 4 lines
steering lines on the outside power lines down the middle,when they 1st came out they were flown on 3 lines the middle line on a y connection at the
bridle.anyhoo after laying the foil out and weighing the trailing edge down unwind your 30m lines, 4 300kg lines well up to the job hook in to your
harness with the c/loop which is your last safety initate that and you've lost your kite unless you use a leash i don't they just get in the way plus
the primary safety is very good and it has 2 osh on the ends of the bar.inflation takes about 20 secs if the winds not too strong i tend to give the
middle lines a tug slowly she goes up halfway up to the zenith the foil will be fully inflated.if the winds in the upper range i do the same but at
the windows edge and again by the time she reaches the zenith you have full inflation the kite will fly in very little wind is responsive with a good
feel on the bar medium bar pressure.the kite has good traction and as its medium aspect ratio you'd think very little lift but once dialled in it
gives good airs and very floaty.they have now been replaced by the boom skite a nice kite they call it a convertible coz you can fly it open cell or
closed cell.if you see a vector for sale grab it as they're a rarity now,i won't be parting with mine.i forgot to add if your kitesurfing with one and
it lands nose 1st give either outside line a quick tug and it'll flip over and straight up to the zenith expelling any water taken on board thru the
little tubes i mentioned.also with the upgrades the vectors now have a windrange of 20knots or more,happy flying dudes across the pond.