My Delayed Slingshot Turbo Diesel Review

[Pablito]

My (snow) skis are 181s. :shock: :shock: :shock:

[windhorny]

Not all BOW kites are subject to inversions, so far, only Cabrinha's and Slingshots. The GK Sonic, Takoon Nova, etc do not have this problem.

I think the problem with the Turbo Diesel is the one-pump.... You can't pump up the kite past 7-8 psi without a serious risk of blowing it up. With the Cabrinha's at least you can minimize the problem by pumping up the struts really hard (10 psi), which you can't do on Turbo Diesel b/c of the one-pump.

It will be interestingt to see how Slingshot deals with this problem. They may have to get rid of the one-pump.

There's another user on kiteforum that had this same issue.



http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2323831

I still havent had any issues with not pumping my crossbow enough. I use a guage and it says 6-7 tops. Normally 6 on all struts and main. I have still never inverted. I would personally love to have a one pump because I think if you inflated the whole kite to 7 psi you are doing fine. Just dont let the damn bar out so quick. Smooth piloting is the answer to all these problems. of course I dont do all the fancy tricks some of you guys do.

[Guest]

I hate to point this out if you don't already recognize it, but you guys are all a bunch of gearheads :)

3 kites and 1 board fits nearly every condition you'll experience in the Bay area. During the Bay's prime season, I can go with a regular old 12 or 16 mtr. kite and a 131 board at least 5 days a week. No bows, no total depower and 4 lines only. On very rare occasions, I'll need an 8 mtr., but that's mostly for the coast. Hell, the 12 covers at least 75% of the days all summer long. If I wasn't totally addicted, I could live with 1 kite and still get more sessions than the average kiter in the country.

I could see having a dedicated wave board, so possibly a 2 board quiver, but why get more complicated than you need to?

It is a pretty interesting topic. I like seeing what everyone else is carrying. You guys are also a great comparison when my wife starts whining about how much I spend on kite gear. "Look honey, I don't spend nearly as much as everyone else" is a GREAT argument!

[andyandmarlys]

For someone replacing gear, or getting gear for the first time, 1 kite and 2 boards is alot cheaper than 3 kites and 1 board... Plus when you come in because the wind drops or raises, grabbing another board doesnt even require you to land your kite... just grab and go... pumping up 2-3 kites takes alot longer...

I agree though, if I was willing to drive 30-60 minutes to windy spots everyday, I would be able to kite every day on a 14m and a 134 board... but.... i don't like driving that much and live close to a beach. Being able to have 1 kite, and not have to drive is pretty valuable to me.

I think bow kites will likely make large kites obsolete as well... I suspect a 14 or 16 is really the biggest anyone will ever need...

[Pablito]

That is true only if you're buying new kites, which some of us have never done and may never do. You can get a good one year "old" kite -- read "last year's new technology" right now for less than $400. I bet that by July 1st, I will be able to buy a 2006 kite that was used less than 10 times for $500 or less on Ikite from a sponsored rider.

Going the used route, kites cost the same or less than boards, and the selection is better.

No argument with the "pumping three kites" logic, though. Two (bow) kites and two boards seems like the best solution...Except for the guys with those old windsurfer trailers they need to fill up with gear. :mrgreen:

[OliverG]

I hate to point this out if you don't already recognize it, but you guys are all a bunch of gearheads :)

3 kites and 1 board fits nearly every condition you'll experience in the Bay area. During the Bay's prime season, I can go with a regular old 12 or 16 mtr. kite and a 131 board at least 5 days a week. No bows, no total depower and 4 lines only. On very rare occasions, I'll need an 8 mtr., but that's mostly for the coast. Hell, the 12 covers at least 75% of the days all summer long. If I wasn't totally addicted, I could live with 1 kite and still get more sessions than the average kiter in the country.

I could see having a dedicated wave board, so possibly a 2 board quiver, but why get more complicated than you need to?

It is a pretty interesting topic. I like seeing what everyone else is carrying. You guys are also a great comparison when my wife starts whining about how much I spend on kite gear. "Look honey, I don't spend nearly as much as everyone else" is a GREAT argument!

I would agree - 3 kites and 1 board and there's pretty much nothing that can't be kited during the full regular season on and around the Bay...but that's only my opinion, for what it's worth and it goes along with my feeling that a 2 kite quiver is just not really feasible either. Not if you hit many spots on the Bay, Sherman and the coast anyway.

[Pablito]

Says the guy who has owned 20 kites in the last year.... :mrgreen:

[andyandmarlys]

Just to add more fuel to the fire...

I just got back from another 12m Turbo Diesel session using both my Glide (148cm) and Dragon (134cm)... I used both my boards, jumped had fun and was out from 4:20 till about 5:40... This is 9-11 on the sensor, which is unheard of on a 12m for a 220lb (+holiday weight) guy. (I admit the sensor reads low..., but there were no whitecaps and I didn't see anyone else out)

I admit it, I am a gear head, but in spite of that, these bows have lots of potential... I am not trying to pimp one brand over another, as nearly all brands have some sort of bow-like kite, but seriously, this could be a one kite quiver for most people...

next year, I am sure that the 06 kites will be on the market at a substantial discount, but if you are buying new (for warranty or performance or whatever) you ought to try something bow like before you lay down your cash...

2007 prediction -- most manufacturers focus on the bow, and the C kite goes the way of the 2 line kite....

[Guest]

Imagine that, gearheads posting about their quivers on an enthusiast website!

Here's my two cents: three kites (one for the super-nukey days, the other two for the other 95%, windy or marginal). Why be stymied on the windiest and craziest days at the coast, for example?

Two boards: one for overpowered sessions, rough water and waves, one for pointing, schlogging and otherwise underpowered conditions.

All this coming from a guy with three mountain bikes... :mrgreen:

[VanSimms]

I think the only brand(s) that will make new c-kites are SS and North, because some people will still prefer the C, or the new kites will be hybrids, half C half Bow like the switchblade.