Hey DaVinch-No I've not dunked it yet........I hope never to dunk it. I have pulled my Quadrifoil Competition XL and XXXL out of the drink a few times. It doesn't happen often. The best pull out was a few years ago I was wave riding with the XL. I over ran the kite while on a 4 or 5' wave. The kite landed nose first in the water with very slight tension on the lines. I kept surfing on the wave and as I passed the kite I was able retension the lines and back it up off the water turn it around and fly away all while on the same wave. That is a 1 in a million! Wish it was on video.

I did almost dunk the 10.5 on Saturday. I jumped and penduled under to far and detensioned the lines. It folded up and almost collapsed but I swam backward real fast and got it opened back up before it hit the water.

Here's a pic of the ply board. If you are really interested my friend sells them through E-bay on occasion or he can make one for you. Mine is a pretty big one and one of the first he did. The shape is more refined and cleaner. The one in the pic is just a very dark wood stain with a clearcoat on top.

Scott

I've gotten some more flight time with the 10.5 the last couple of weeks. I can say it does have a limited wind range like has been mentioned but it is managable in over powering conditions.
I have found it does not have snatching power. The best jumps I've had while surfing occur when I can hit a wave straight on and not rely on loading up the kite. It is a great cruising kite in lighter winds or moderate waves for jumping on the water.

I have ridden my ATB with the kite a few times and it is very nice for the ATB. Lots of upwind and power for light winds. I am not a jumper on land so I can't give info on ATB jumping and the 10.5.

The last couple of flights I have noticed it does not inflate as quickly on take off. I wonder if this is bridle stretch. Does anyone have info on the Blade 3 bridles. I've heard they streach easily.

Scott
p.s. another pic of the ply board

I was able to get in some wave riding with the 10.5 this afternoon ahead of a big thunderstorm. When thunderstorms form over the Orlando area we usually get some good wind on the coast!!! :singing:
The waves were 3-4' but it was high tide which made them break quickly. I'm finding the 10.5 is not quick enough in the turns to really get good down the line wave rides. I end up going faster than the kite and find I have to pull out of the wave to keep from over running the kite. With my Quadrifoil 4.9 meter Competition XL kite I can loop the kite to keep the power on for a down the line wave ride. The 10.5 doesn't loop as quickly as the XL or XXXL for down the line wave riding. However, I'm finding the kite fantastic for good floaty jumps off the waves. Like I mentioned earlier the kite doesn't have enough snatch for good flat water jumps meaning it is more of a wave jumping kite.

Scott

Spele - have you ever flown a 8.5m Blade III or IV? They turn way faster than the 10.5!

Also, what winds can you use the 10.5m in before being overpowered?

Joe

No I've not flown the Blade III,IV 8.5. However, I expect them to fly similar to the Quadrifoil Competition XXXL.

I couldn't tell you how much wind till I get over powered. Maybe 15mph plus (light to moderate white caps). I don't have a wind meter. Today I think I would have been happier on the 8.5 meter. I've been kitesurfing the same spot for so long I can pretty much just tell what kite to fly by looking at the trees in front of my house. I got the 10.5 so I could take it down to sub 10 mph downwind kitesurfing plus some light wind ATB riding.

Later-Scott

Tonight I was able to get some ATB riding in with the 10.5. The kite is to slow in the upswing to get much in the way of jumps. When I try to load the kite up to swing it around I end up sliding out on the ATB and lose most of the swing of the kite to pull me up in the air. I'm not a good ATB jumper but I think I could do much better with a faster kite. For just plain cruising the 10.5 is great. It locks in and I can let go of the handles and just relax especially in a slight down wind run.

Scott

I think Flexi should make a new 10.5m Special Edition Blade.

Use the ultra lightweight Skytex like the Flysurfer Silverarrow and make it turn faster.

It would be a hit for low wind days!

The slow turn rate is a real bummer on this kite. Otherwise it is a good flying kite.

Also, do away with the velcro strips at the wingtips. The are useless as far as I can see. The only thing they do is collect sand in the velcro.

Scott

Scott, did Flexi ever get back to you about cutting out the mesh?

I like the idea of the dirt-outs and the velcro opening, but I must admit, I don't think I've ever used them and can see how they would attract seaweed and crap.

But hey, you're the only renegade foil surfer out there. They should just tell you to get an LEI or be gone :wink2:

No they never got back to me about the mesh. I had forgotten about it.
Well I'll tell them to stuff it if I get an answer like just get a LEI kite. LEI blimpie kites fly like crap compared to a hopped up super foil so no way will I spend a bunch of money on a LEI kite.

Later-Scott