Power Kite Forum
Not logged in [Login - Register]
Go To Bottom

Printable Version  
Author: Subject: flying wings utopia
shortlineflyer
Senior Member
****




Posts: 814
Registered: 23-4-2010
Location: Alexandria, Virginia
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 28-1-2014 at 08:30 AM
flying wings utopia


I also fly dual lines and there is a kite I have always wanted to add to my collection just because it is so unique but I have been unable to find any anywhere. It is the Flying Wings Utopia. Does anyone have one?



Elliot Kites sigma 360 --- Rev Blast 2-4 --- HQ Scout 5.0 --- HQ Crossfire II 10.0 --- HQ hydra 350
2010 Liquid Force Havoc 10m -- Slingshot ranger 12m -- Peter Lynn Scorpion 16m -- EH Cabarete Freestyle

MBS Elements mountainboard
MBS atom cruiser (stake trucks and wheels)
Peter Lynn XR+ kite buggy (std wheels and wide treads)
KiteTrike
View user's profile
Smeagol
Member
***




Posts: 247
Registered: 14-3-2011
Location: Sacramento CA
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 28-1-2014 at 10:48 AM


Don't have one personally, but I can keep an eye out for you. You may try pinging folks on GWTW forum if you're on there. I'm pretty sure I saw one on there recently although I'm not sure if it sold. I'll double check for ya.



PB: 29.9 MPH! ;)
View user's profile
indigo_wolf
Super Administrator
*********


Avatar


Posts: 5102
Registered: 25-12-2008
Location: Washington, DC area
Member Is Offline

Mood: Weaned by leopards, raised by wolves...

[*] posted on 28-1-2014 at 04:33 PM


You might also want to reach out to Charlie Whitaker (Kite-Classifieds) and Rob Banks (WindsweptKites). Both are likely to come across Utopias in the course of their travels.

U2U me if you need contact info for either of them.

ATB,
Sam



"I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12 - Jesus, does anyone?" - The Body by Stephen King
View user's profile
B-Roc
Posting Freak
*****


Avatar


Posts: 3161
Registered: 9-3-2006
Location: Massachusetts
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 28-1-2014 at 05:59 PM


I have one. Teal and Purple. I have marked the bridle with Martin's extreme setting and probably have the documentation which still explains that. I haven't flown it in probably 3 years. It was known for having its fittings deteriorate but last I looked the spreader fittings were fine. All the standoff fittings broke and I can't recall if I replaced them with jacos or a prism style fitting. I know I only replaced them with one and I swapped out the standoffs leaving the fitting on the sail. I used pink nail polish to thicken the SO as the replacement fitting had a wider interior diameter. The pink helps you find the SOs if you ever drop them on the grass. It wasn't a super pretty way to build the SO up but it was super effective. I also marked the tail sail SO with white paint so I wouldn't get confused on what went where. One of the LE spars arrived warped (I am the original owner) at the spreader fitment. I have a spare I believe but for the 3 years or so I flew the kite the warp never cracked and I wrapped it in heatshrink material to build it up and support it from day one so I wouldn't bother to replace it unless it failed.

I looked at selling it a few years ago but it cost around $25 to ship it and I wanted $75 for the kite so at the time I didn't bother. Not sure if I would sell it as its a great keepsake but hit me up via a u2u if you don't find one elsewhere. I knew a guy who had atleast a dozen but have since lost touch with him.

From the picture it looks like I put tape on the spreaders to prevent the SOs from sliding - but I really don't recall.

I bought this while looking at TrickTails as most of the flying I did was of ULs or SULs but this was a great purchase. Super quirky kite but not as tough to fly as others claim. Killer fades, good cascades and you can flic-flac it too. I think I was working on JLs or backflips with the kite as I recall making a custom tip wrap line at one point but don't recall how well that worked out. I also can't recall how consistently it backspun. Once you find what setting you like you mostly stay there and just switch the SOs for wind strength and maybe the spreader fittings - I cut mine to allow for the 4 position adjustment as opposed to the factory default of 2.

utopia2.jpg - 120kB



Depower Quiver: 14m Gin Eskimo, 10m Gin Eskimo III, 6m Gin Yeti, 4.5m Gin Yeti (custom bridle and mixer)
Fixed Bridle Quiver: MAC Bego 400, JOJO ET Instinct 2.5 & 5.5, Lil Devil 1.5, Sting 1.2
Rides: Ground Industries
View user's profile
B-Roc
Posting Freak
*****


Avatar


Posts: 3161
Registered: 9-3-2006
Location: Massachusetts
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 28-1-2014 at 06:08 PM






utopia bag2.jpg - 133kB



Depower Quiver: 14m Gin Eskimo, 10m Gin Eskimo III, 6m Gin Yeti, 4.5m Gin Yeti (custom bridle and mixer)
Fixed Bridle Quiver: MAC Bego 400, JOJO ET Instinct 2.5 & 5.5, Lil Devil 1.5, Sting 1.2
Rides: Ground Industries
View user's profile
shortlineflyer
Senior Member
****




Posts: 814
Registered: 23-4-2010
Location: Alexandria, Virginia
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 29-1-2014 at 05:31 AM


B-ROc are you going to WBB this spring. Could I fly it there. I have alot of experience with dual line kites and must have around a dozen.





Elliot Kites sigma 360 --- Rev Blast 2-4 --- HQ Scout 5.0 --- HQ Crossfire II 10.0 --- HQ hydra 350
2010 Liquid Force Havoc 10m -- Slingshot ranger 12m -- Peter Lynn Scorpion 16m -- EH Cabarete Freestyle

MBS Elements mountainboard
MBS atom cruiser (stake trucks and wheels)
Peter Lynn XR+ kite buggy (std wheels and wide treads)
KiteTrike
View user's profile
B-Roc
Posting Freak
*****


Avatar


Posts: 3161
Registered: 9-3-2006
Location: Massachusetts
Member Is Offline


[*] posted on 29-1-2014 at 09:40 AM


I never make it to WW. Spring and fall are my most busy travel times for work and I'm usually away on business during the week the event is hosted. I flew sport kites for over 12 years before getting into the power side of the sport. I think I have over 30 dual line and SLKs. I use to fly every day at lunch but just don't have the time for that anymore and my kids never really picked it up. I miss it but if the wind is blowing I way prefer my foils these days. I'm sure the Nahant crew is going to WW so if needed reach out to me around that time and maybe I can send it with one of them if I'm around to drop it off with one of them before they leave.



Depower Quiver: 14m Gin Eskimo, 10m Gin Eskimo III, 6m Gin Yeti, 4.5m Gin Yeti (custom bridle and mixer)
Fixed Bridle Quiver: MAC Bego 400, JOJO ET Instinct 2.5 & 5.5, Lil Devil 1.5, Sting 1.2
Rides: Ground Industries
View user's profile

  Go To Top

Hosted by: Mad Moose Studio