Interesting thread on Bow Kites in general

elli · Post by **elli** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 12:32 pm

I am interested in trying Rap2 9 as well in Tahoe.

End of foil kites? I don't think so. Last "real" test result I have seen a snippet of the Speed and Crossbow destroyed a herd of C kites and won by a margin, pretty much on every aspect of flight. If its anything, it's the end of C kites. This test did not include the C/Bow hybrids of RRD.

Pablito, you bought an old kite that does not fly properly and needs work to get back to basic working condition. This can happen with any used gear. You don't want to know what hell I went through with the used car that I bought a year ago :)

OliverG · Post by **OliverG** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 12:38 pm

Pablito wrote:I'd like to try the Rap12 on snow -- lots of good feedback on KF from the guys who've tried it so far. They say the only problem is self-landing -- I guess those things don't like to stay on the ground for very long.

There's even a post on the Flexifoil site about "the end of the foil kite" because of flat kites.

Any way we can convince you to do a snow demo sometime this winter, Ollie (I know it won't be this weekend)? Wash the dust off those skis and get some mountain air! Windwing might even pay for the biodiesel.

I will be down to go up to the snow soon, although the only Rap2 I have at the moment is the 12m. As soon as the container of kites arrives in Hood River I'm hoping to get a 6.5, 9, etc...

Live2KITE · Post by **Live2KITE** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 1:14 pm

Folks,
If you are trying different snow kites, bring a 2005 Type Wave kite also. They work incredibly well on the snow due to the total depower system and speed of flying. And since they are made for wave riding they are stronger than your strong kites.

We have them at a special 30% off right now for the winter season!

http://www.live2kite.com/product_info.p ... 69a18c4648

Evan - Live2KITE
415.722.7884

Pablito · Post by **Pablito** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 2:12 pm

Reverse Relaunch is the key to fun snowkiting, that's why I was thinking Rapture. The Type Wave looks like it would be a bit of a project to move the 5th line to the trailing edge for RR.

Ollie, so I'll put you down for a "BAK/Windwing/RRD Snowkite Demo Day" when that container ship comes in?

Elli,
These were foil flyers on a foil site talking about how they had flown a Rapture (or other bow kite) on water and snow, and were selling their foils. They say that there is no learning curve like C kite flyers have to go through.

elli · Post by **elli** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 6:24 pm

Does a Rap2 quiver of 9 and 16 make sense? Can I use the same bar?

OliverG · Post by **OliverG** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 7:06 pm

elli wrote:Does a Rap2 quiver of 9 and 16 make sense? Can I use the same bar?

Those are good questions! Personally, I would feel naked without a 12m kite especially since it's often my most used kite on the Bay.

Also, it's my belief that a 2 kite quiver of any kites will be lacking in one way or another, but that's just me. Maybe a good strategy is to size up your current quiver and replace your most used and needed kites and keep one or two of your less-used kites (8m or 16m?) on hand provided they're in good condition. I know some people replace their mainstay kites every year and their less used "bookend" kites every other year.

However, you can get more extensive opinions and browse the existing threads on kite sizes and ranges at the WW forum at www.windwing.com/forum. I think lots of people have had many of the same questions as you.

OliverG · Post by **OliverG** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 7:12 pm

Pablito wrote: Ollie, so I'll put you down for a "BAK/Windwing/RRD Snowkite Demo Day" when that container ship comes in?

Absolutely! I don't know if it will be before New Years, but I will be heading up to the snow before New Years. Maybe some of us can make it a day. I know I won't be taking any water kiting trip this year, so I am going to commit to heading up to the snow and getting in on that action.
I've always been a skier, but I will probably go with a board this year, which brings to another question, which I'll ask in another thread...

elli · Post by **elli** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 8:04 pm

I am thinking more of the high wind kite as first priority. So the main question would be if the 9 can be the high wind kite (the smallest) or maybe something smaller? 6.5 seems like a very small kite, I don't know how much I will actually use it, considering the bows have very good high end (140# weight).

OliverG · Post by **OliverG** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 8:17 pm

I would probably go with the 9 as it will provide so much range and depower already. The 6.5 does sound small, but I can't comment as I haven't flown one yet, so it would seem for our conditions around the Bay, the 9m could easily be your smallest kite. Even on quite nuking days, I haven't gone less than 8m around here, except when I borrowed a 6m at Waddell and then in Costa Rica I flew a 7m.

windhorny · Post by **windhorny** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 8:33 pm

When you snowkite do you plan on using the same size kite as you would for water? I assume there is less resistance.

Yuri

BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Interesting thread on Bow Kites in general

Who is online