Power Kite Forum

4 Line beginner update

Casmo - 27-5-2011 at 03:58 AM

Hi Guys,

First of all, thanks to everyone for their help and advise so far. After a lot of line adjusting i finally got the sting into the air. Despite far from ideal conditions, i got my first sense of 4 line kiting and its a joy. The ability to pull really tight turns is fantastic.
Unfortunatley for you, ive now got more questions than ever :yes: First of all, the wind was very gusty, calm one minute, very strong the next. Im wondering if this accounts for some of the issues i had. The kite didnt seem to want to launch at times, other times it was fine, more adjustment needed on the brake lines perhaps?
I was trying to keep it to the edges and the zenith as much as possible, but found that in these areas it tended to flap and fall back into the power zone before the wind would grab it again, leading to a few unwanted yanks forward. Also, i wasnt even aware that the kite would fly directly over head and beyond, is it just a case of using the brakes to keep it from doing this?
One other thing, and this may make no sense at all, but its seemed like i had better control when i had looped and crossed the lines. Cant imagine why this would be the case, maybe just my perception or might it point to line lenght problems?

As always, any help is appreciated...

Bladerunner - 27-5-2011 at 06:33 AM

It sounds like most of your issues are now bad wind related ?
Wind will remain messed up for 7 - 10 times the distance downwind from an object as it is high.
Inland wind is typically variable even when in clear spaces. Hard to hold at the edge in gusty winds and dangerous to keep the kite overhead in strong gusty winds.

I am guessing that the friction on wrapped lines is helping slow your motions down. Once you get more relaxed you will also make smaller smoother motions without the friction?

Kamikuza - 27-5-2011 at 06:39 AM

Gusty wind is horrid and will ruin your session ... wind shadow may be what your problem is. If there are things like trees or buildings up- or downwind of you, then they will create turbulent air and make your life a misery. I had kites fly completely backwards simply cos of one building downwind of me ...
The rule of thumb is, IIRC, 7x the hieght of the object downwind is going to be messy ...

Flying over your head - the kites speed is sending it past the zenith ... apply some brakes to stop it "over-flying" :thumbup:

Stick to it!

Casmo - 27-5-2011 at 08:35 AM

Thanks a lot folks, i dont think objects up or downwind was the problem as i had picked a very open area but we get some very odd weather here in Ireland at the best of times. Good to know i can blame the wind and not me though...

Bladerunner - 27-5-2011 at 04:24 PM

It is amazing how often I have to tell beginers that they are actually doing well. That the wind is messing things up and that even knowing a few tricks it is a struggle.

If you can get to the coast you will be shocked at how enjoyable nice clean wind is!

If you can fly inland you are good!

cheezycheese - 27-5-2011 at 04:36 PM

Well you are asking the right questions,which means you are already figuring things out. I know the sting is what you have but at that size kite you will need a good 15-20mph wind at least to wake that kite up. Below that and you might just add frustration because it just wont fly as intended.
:wee:

**edit** I don't know why but I thought the sting was 1.4m...
What size kite is it?

indigo_wolf - 27-5-2011 at 05:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by cheezycheese
What size kite is it?

Sting 3.3m (from the other thread). ;-)

Sadly underrated kite.... especially as Flexfoil seems to have ratcheted the US price back down to a reasonable number.

ATB,
Sam

rtz - 28-5-2011 at 12:20 PM

I just tried to buy a 1.7m direct for a high wind kite. Out of it in the Hulk colors.

http://shop.flexifoil.com/products/traction-kites/kites/flex...

Bladerunner - 29-5-2011 at 09:30 AM

There are a few shops on this forum that sell Flexi. Dakitze / AWOC west coast , Coastal' , east? Most will match advertised prices?
Why are you shopping overseas?
Buy American. Even if it is a foriegn product !

rtz - 29-5-2011 at 09:59 AM

I don't see it in stock on any of those sites.

indigo_wolf - 29-5-2011 at 10:38 AM

Flexifoil has gone through a lot of price fluctuations over the past couple of years. More than the average bear. In some cases, this meant that retailers had to watch the prices ebb and flow like the stock market.

About 2 years ago, most started carrying a skeleton Flexifoil product line and special ordering the rest based on orders. This adds about 7-10 days in shipping time, but saves the retailers from getting their profit margins burned when they bought at premium prices and Flexifoil drops the prices again.

The transit time on the special order is pretty much what you would have to wait anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I actually have the full line of Stings with some duplication in some sizes. However you pay a premium for them as well as some of the other Flexifoils. For instance, the Rage 1.8 is just a couple of dollars less than a Flow 3.0M. For the sake of some fiscal responsibility, about 2 of my Stings were bought new and the rest were bought NIB at a fraction of their retail price.

Honestly to be competitive, I think Flexifoil would need to rethink some of their line weights, upgrade their handles, and lock in their prices a bit more in line with other manufacturers. Sadly with the exception of the Blade, Flexifoils concentration currently seems to be on LEIs.

Just out of curiousity, were you going to use the 1.7 for static high wind flying or something else?

ATB,
Sam

rtz - 29-5-2011 at 11:04 AM

I'd use it to buggy with when the wind is too much for my 2m Flow.

indigo_wolf - 29-5-2011 at 11:45 AM

Some things to keep in mind then:
Just things to be aware of....

ATB,
Sam

rtz - 29-5-2011 at 11:53 AM

Is there a better high wind buggy kite then the 1.7 Sting?

indigo_wolf - 29-5-2011 at 12:39 PM


If you can find existing stock from last year:

Expensive new, but manageable used or NIB:


ATB,
Sam

rtz - 3-6-2011 at 05:50 PM

I wanted this kite as it's the only one that mentions higher wind speeds:

"With over 130 hours flying time on each
kite they have been repeatedly tested for
crash sustainability and wear. These little
kites have been amazing, withstanding
months and months of teaching abuse
and then being subjected to 50 and 60mph
winds on a kite buggy. Just make sure you
upgrade the lines..."

http://www.flexifoil.com/info/sting.pdf

The other kites might not be useable outside their stated wind ranges. This kite claims a min. wind speed of 5mph+ and claims it has no upper limit due to it "being able to absorb gusts".




Quote:
Originally posted by Bladerunner
Why are you shopping overseas?
Buy American. Even if it is a foreign product !


The shipping label on the UPS box says "Peter Trow, Flexifoil USA, Cambria CA".


Quote:
indigo_wolf
my 1.7 didn't have inlet mesh panels. This is great for clearing out the cells of sand or errant birds, but gave the kite a tendency to develop a mind of it's own in gust cross winds.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/33567716@N03/sets/7215762675454...

The lines are listed as being 2x 220lb power lines and 2x 165lb brake lines. I don't see how those could snap pulling a buggy around?

indigo_wolf - 3-6-2011 at 08:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rtzhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/33567716@N03/sets/7215762675454...


Senility must be setting in. :no: Going to have to pull the kite out in the morning and double check.

Quote:
Originally posted by rtz
The lines are listed as being 2x 220lb power lines and 2x 165lb brake lines. I don't see how those could snap pulling a buggy around?


I don't think the lines will burst into flames as soon as the wind picks up. However, in a hard turn, the lines will have to withistand your weight, the weight of the buggy, and any momentum you are bleeding off. As you are maneuvering the kite and buggy, if all that forces that goes to one or two lines, I can see something giving way. I expect Flexifoil experienced the same thing, hence the caveat about upgrading lines for higher winds.

ATB,
Sam

rtz - 12-6-2011 at 04:28 PM

Took it out today in 8-15mph winds to test it out static. Flies real nice. The "gust absorbing" traits are odd. The kite pulsates and it can be felt in the lines. Almost like the kite buckles or the tips flutter or fold. As if the kite were bridled in such a way to make it springy. Can't wait to try it out when the 2m is too much.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33567716@N03/sets/7215762694710...

pyro22487 - 19-6-2011 at 09:42 PM

Too much for a 2m flow is that even possible rtz. Oh wait today was lol 40+ gusts 4th of July I want to see this new kite of yours lol.

rtz - 19-6-2011 at 11:37 PM

I was glad I had the 1.7 today.

pyro22487 - 20-6-2011 at 11:50 AM

I bet