roughly 25+ hours in the past couple of weeks running a V16 in raging conditions mostly 25-35mph with gust up to 40.

yesterday finally broke spar about 1hour into the session (launch probably got it started) had back up so no problem to repair.

ANYWAY, dried out and filled the kite and did a look see and a few seams started to open up an inch or two in a couple of places, centerpoint bridle tab tear(hyper mod thing)and 4 small holes pea size. this kite had been modded and repaired nicely when i got it. These are new issues and i repaired them all with dacron and some stitching in seams and larger defects.
about an hour ... maybe $1 of dacron

gave it a 2 hour mello session (thank GOD its about time) today really nice .

back to zero defects with solid repairs (most of the repairs were associated with the mods ) i think its telling us something?

kite is tough but beyond its limits WILL kill it.

obviously too much kite for conditions but the rides where off the charts

PL are high wind kites ..... i have no doubt

calculated risk? absolutely

growth and change occur at the edge

Phree, you always amaze me :P Pushin' the limits! HECK YES! :D

telling yourself NO! and actually changing your behavior

the holy grail of self control

i have changed.... i use to check the wind stats before i went out....now i just go and check them after.. right, wrong i'll let you know when i figure it out.

wish i had that kite back! i replace it with a syn 15. the syn flew faster and relaunched easier but did not have near the power. doesn't matter any more because a failed chicken loop and leash sent this thing to sea on a west wind so i will either replace with a v16 or syn 15, depending on which comes across first.

know how you feel on the lost rig. V16 is a great kite. for a heavier rider 190 + it is access to all conditions.

i want v13 .....i have a 2nd v16 but it needs repairs 3 cell blowout.

maybe we'll trade it out if you come across v13(12syn+$)