being a fan of Peter Lynn himself and having followed his writings regarding his new single skin / ie nasawing improvement i decided to get one of the 4m that he was offering direct from weifang china. Kite arrived today and am hoping to get some pics and try to fly it this afternoon. i know bobalooie got one to- Bob you had a chance to check it out yet? should be interesting since i am generally not a nasawing fan and am hoping that he created the magic wing for light wind days that actually flys well, my experince with the nasawings has not been very rewarding- of course could be my skill set

I haven't followed that for a while now. Keep us posted!

Bob got kite.... but only flew it static so far. Said he will post when it gets a buggy trial.

I only see 2.75m listed and not 4m at factory website. Wonder if these are still available if you ask.

(They can often change sizes by keeping relationship constant(dimensions/proportions) to make different size run. But I bet PL has asked they only make these two sizes to sell...for now.

Bob mentioned quality of workmanship is not great...but good enough.

Is the SKIN anything like the Peak at all in general performance?

ie: Do they both step up from an NPW in overall performance(upwind ability, power, low lufting-although NPW's already good in that category...)?
One thing...is that the prices are on the opposite ends of the spectrum:o- with the skin super cheap and the Peak super expensive. The FS Peak I would expect to have superb craftsmanship. Until PL produces his own or does a production overhaul with the Chinese factory... they will not be top quality from China... but that is partly why they are so cheap. As long as they can take some abuse and last a while.

Flysurfer may have either overcomplicated the design or they are brilliant with breakthrough design. We'll see. Need more reviews.
The design that may be overcomplicated on Peak or weird is the peaked rib line where bridals are attached to those 'shark tooth' pieces of triangular and scalloped material that protrude vertically down the kite-instead of sewn directly to main canopy. Quite striking and unique. My guess is these distribute load(less chance of tear/blowout compared to a small tab) from bridal's pull...?

Here's an interesting video:
CLICK THIS>>>>>> http://vimeo.com/78772663 <<<<CLICK THIS

The two relevant postings

• AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY: PATENT APPLICATION NZ 614908, 30 August 2013, FOR A SINGLE SKIN FLYING WING
  
• SKIN IN THE GAME* (again)
  

ATB,
Sam

Received mine Thurs., took it right out for a static fly for about 1/2 hr. It flies quite well(flown like an NPW, with a little brake input) but craftsmanship is a little less than you would expect for p-lynn product. Maybe because it is a limited release, perhaps it will get better with increase in production.(Though a stated goal was less expensive)
I took it to Southwick this morning, wind was WNW, I'd guess 15-20mph, though NOAA says 10(recorded at Wat'n Airport) I launched the skin and was hitting 20mph with only one serious dip into the power. I went about a quarter mile, most of the time the kite was high and slightly behind as I was trying to slow down. When I finally committed to my turn, I downlooped the kite and whipped the buggy around, and coming out of the turn was immediately popped up onto 2 wheels for about a hundred feet. That's when it started with the "graupel", that heavy precip between hail and snow. I decided to pack up, as the 4M was overpowered(to me at least) and I didn't relish getting pounded with the needle like precip. I think this might be a great emergency back-up to have in the Apex pack when snowkiting, or a great buggy engine in 5-15mph wind. I never even got the chance to turn on the helmet-cam, so no pix this time, but will post video when conditions are better.

I was curious about the power for same size against a mod aspect or racing foil...but more so, want to know the upwind ability. I'm hoping for an improvement over NPW kites.

Will wait for some more thorough testing reports from Bob when he can put the time in...and or when Scott gets out with his.

Not pulling the trigger to get one 'til then...... I think.

Back up kite, or a primary kite for ski-packing in or hiking in on a trail into frozen lake in woods....Oh yeah!

I hope those testing out this kite will try it on different length lines.
One of the things I like most about traditional NPW is being able to fly it on lengths right down to the bridle.

I am packing for a holiday and see how something simple, small and light like this can also have an application in traveling by air. For land kiting at least ?

Folded up, with no handles, this kite came in a box about 4"x 4"x 10". The kite has way less bridling than my NPW's, due to the vertical panels. I flew it off the same line/handle set I usually use with my 4.8M NPW5.(about 10M) This set has no loops for a strop, so I was strong-arming it. I was quite impressed with the power in the kite, so much so that I felt overpowered in wind I might have flown the 4.8 in. I was in the Comp Std buggy, and was quite surprised at how quick I got popped up on 2 wheels.(this in the up-wind direction) I should have tried the bigfoot, but with the weather going icy/blustery, I figured there wouldn't be any beach-walkers around to "call 911" if disaster struck, so I just packed up. I can't wait to try it in more moderate wind. I will get video etc., when I can.

I miss you Bob !! Glad you're posting again. ..

By the shape of the SKIN alone, I would think it has a lot more power than an NPW(for same sq. meters). Also, because of it's shape, I am guessing- or hoping- the upwind is a lot greater.

I agree to idea testing it on longer lines .

Not surprised by tiny packed size as having received 2.5 single skin NPW (Kite only) that you could almost stuff in ladies change purse. Stuff bag it came in was flat 6.5" by 8.5" and only 1" thick.


Again....IF...these single sheet kites have fairly good traits hoped for, they will be chosen for packing in where weight, room and distance to start zone are important. If a kite like the ex$pen$ive Peak winds up having great performance...... it may be chosen by everyone-including those just walking to beach 100 ft from their car.




Let the testing continue......:bigok:

Not a bad price. Still on the fence about this one. How good it handles gusts/bad wind and how good is the upwind?

http://www.kaixuankite.cn/product/1441689805-218812111/New_S...

well i tried to fly mine this weekend and had no luck at all even getting it to launch- kept folding up when it got more than a foot off the ground- bridles may have been a little messed up so back in the bag and launched the vipers 5 so i could get some buggying in will try again over the thanksgiving break. but i would agree with bob construction and materials are certainly on the lower end.

Scott, not so surprising it didn't want to fly for you, it needs to be flown like an NPW, with that "just right" amount of brake tension. When I flew mine, I tried flying just off the power lines(brakes pointed right at the kite), and this caused the wing tips to fold up and flap, when I applied too much brake, of course, the kite would back right down out of the sky. So it is just a matter of getting just the right amount of brake tension. The bright side is that when you nail it, which you will with a little practice, you will also be able to appreciate the NPW all the more!! :D

P.S. I inquired as to the availability of a 10M, as was mentioned in the newsletter, and was told they are just concentrating on the smaller sizes (4M + 2.5M) at this time. Maybe this will change in the future.

Thanks cheezy, I've been here all along, just not too much to say.

@bob- stupid question but i think the factory had the lines to handles backwards- coming off the kite which set of bridles is for the power and which for the brake? It seemed to fly beter when i had what i would consider the brake lines attached as the power lines- ie the simpler bridle set is power and the combined bridles as the brake just seems backwards to me thx
scott

Some other pics of it in flight on this page. Can kinda make out the lines:

http://www.kaixuankite.cn/product/1452890319-218812111/Skin_...

Hey Scott are you sure you didn't have the kite upside down? That could also explain why it wasn't going up without folding. Sounds like doing a reverse launch which would be happening if the kite was set up upside down (rather than thinking bridle was wrong)

Just re-read your post and sounds like you tried it both ways and what should be backwards flys better.

Mark

Quote:

but i think the factory had the lines to handles backwards- coming off the kite which set of bridles is for the power and which for the brake?

Wait... are you saying this came with fly lines? Thought this was kite only?

Taking a second look... the SKIN seems to have long bridal lines.

I'm not sure what's going on with your kite. Do you know which is leading edge of kite? Usually the simpler bunching(fewest bridal lines)goes to brake lines ...


If enough people wanted a 10 m SKIN..they might make a run. But again, Peter Lynn may have had them make some agreement not to make but the two sizes. If not...they just want to move popular sizes which a 10m is NOT.



But it might be a neat very low wind kite for many of us. I understand why you might ask.

Meanwhile...still waiting for a more thorough review on what they do have(Upwind, turning, lufting,...).

BTW.....4m still not listed on website. Guess you HAVE to ask for that!

Yeah if it is $99 for kite, lines, handles I want one! Highly doubt that most of the lines are running to brake. Perhaps it just flies backwards VERY well?

They changed up the pics on the kite factory's website... better view of the sail in the air. The rainbow SKIN pics shown really remind me of a NPW-HA with extra keels in the body section. It's very symmetrical! I wouldn't doubt that it flies backwards well.

An easy way to identify the nose would be whichever side has a more defined "tuck" to it I would think. It looks like PL has managed to delete the internal nose lines that maintain that shape on the NPW, I wonder how?

I would love to see an L/D spec for this thing.

As to quality of workmanship, is this not a prototype release? Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems he wants to get them cheap and fast into the hands of enthusiasts, and that a higher quality product will be launched under the PL banner later?

a little more info- not sure about the website you linked for the kite- i sent an email to peter lynn himself and he in turn forwarded me to jessica at weifang kites and yes it was $99 for kite, lines, and handles and came all hooked up. shipping was ~$25.00. As for the brake line issue after looking at a couple of pics and my brief flying i think that skimt has it backwards on this particular kite the less complex bridles are hooked to the leading edge (not conformed yet but makes more sense when i look at the kites shape) i am waiting to hear form bob since he had his flying for the best answer.

So I took the Skin out at the fairgrounds yesterday, with wind from the SW at 5-10. SW wind there is kind of swirly, but you take what you get. I flew static again, but took a little video with the helmet cam, I just haven't worked it up yet. The skin is different from the NPW in that there is no "cupped nose" at all, the leading edge is smooth(or flat, whichever you prefer). I hooked up the kite(which came to me with no lines/handles at the same cost ) with the more complex bridles(more lines) as the power lines, and the less lines as the brake lines. This does result in a slight cupping of the trailing edge, and if too much brake is applied, the kite will fly backwards, reasonably well. When I get the video done you will be able to see this. Not slamming your skills, Scott, you just mentioned that you haven't had a lot of luck with NPW's, and my experience with them is you either love 'em or hate 'em. The fine line between just enough brake and collapse, or not enough and nose collapse, takes some time and practice to get just right. You will see that this one gives me some moments in the swirly wind, once I get the video done. This was essentially why I made only one run at the beach the other day, I didn't feel I had enough control over the kite, needing more time on it. I'm hoping for some better conditions, and looking forward to getting in motion with it, whether it's in the buggy or on the snow, ma nature will decide!

bob- no slamming of skills taken, i was kinda of hoping that the genuis peter had developed a nasa like kite that did not fly like a nasa kite but would fly like a "real" kite- as for the lines and handles not sure why i got lucky but will forwarn all others the handles and lines are very cheap. I will rehoook the lines up the right way and see what happens. Most likely if it is too much like a nasa wing it will end up in the for sale section pretty soon:D especially since my new toxic 8m just arrived yesterday (and it looks really being almost all black)

mmmmm... 8M Toxic! I can't wait to see the video! Speaking of skills, I think it goes with any new kite, that you need to spend time with each and every one. I haven't come close to mastering my 2M Toxic, nor the 2 Reactors I got from you yet! I've flown them more static than in the buggy, mostly because the trees are so close at Southwick, and I fear putting any of those in the trees. I treed many NPW's, and have been really lucky and got them all back without too much damage, but the one time I treed my 2M Beamer, it came away slightly torn. I really have to step up and start practicing with my foils more, if I want to advance my pb at all.

Interesting.... I went to site and looked again on muti products page for PL kites... clicking on purple Skin that says 4m written on pic and...

I may have missed this before or they changed this product info page from last visit.... but they are showing 4 sizes if you look on this page in SPECIFICATIONS section.

http://www.kaixuankite.cn/product/1441689805-218812111/New_Style_Skin_Kite_no_frame_designed_by_Peter_Lynn.html

...but for product DETAILS section itself(for the 99$ shown) on top of page, the specs say it is the 2.75m(not 4m).. contradicting the main page product I just clicked on:puzzled: .

If a bunch of folks request the bigger sizes or even one not listed... it might be offered for sale.

So here's the video I took of the Skin yesterday. It's not too exciting, as it is just a static fly, but it gives a good idea of how she fly's.

Looks like a fairly narrow window - was that you're feeling? And don't forget, for anyone who doesn't like having to constantly keep the correct tension between brake and power lines, you can always add a Z bridle - which Peter Lynn did himself in his last newsletter here: PL Newsletter Nov 2013

He calls it a 'bridging line' and he leaves us in no doubt to what he thinks about flying with bar and harness!!!

Wind at that spot is not very stable, and was going from about 5mph to 15mph, so that might be why the window seemed narrow. Will be looking to try it in steadier, less swirly wind.

I couldn't get a lot from that video...Seemed like very little wind. Yes...... need more testing....maybe on longer lines eventually.

What I did get.... is that the SKIN's construction on bridle attachment is similar to the Peak- in that the bridal lines attach to similar vertical triangular pieces extending from canopy.

Hope you get to ride soon and in stronger steady winds and post new video.

Thanks for the vid Bob! Looks like it flies like a NPW all right... foils tend to maintain better steerage, you can see it bounce all over the window as the gusts shift the wind direction. Z-bridle will probably smooth that out a bit as it holds more reliable brake tension.
Interestingly the demo videos for the Peak seem to show it having the inertia of a foil. More trapped air? Need to see some independent vids of it to know...

Bob- after seeing your video- i am now certain that with my "awesome" skills i was trying to fly the kite backwards. hence all my issues. will try again next time i am out, but i am thinking this one may be going up for sale pretty soon

Interesting read...kind of smells like the Peter Lynn single skin C-Quad without the rods :eureka:



Buggys in 3 knots :puzzled:


Joking aside - Your efforts and reviews are appreciated