I currently have a Blade3 8.5 and absolutely love it!! Was considering purchasing a New VIP and converting it to depower.. Any suggestions on this process or suggestions to something that will put as big a smile on my face as the Blade? Is the UDS a viable alternative to purchasing a depower foil outright? I must reiterate I LOVE my BLADE! I Fly static, ski, and recently buggy.. No water anytime soon unless I get rich then maybe a KiteCat... and just Blade3 vs VIP.. pro's cons to purchase or not even ,minus UDSANY help?

I have a Blade VIP with a UDS fitted to it ;-) Firstly it is still a Blade and NOT a depower foil. What do I mean by that? My Blade with UDS has depower but not on the same scale as a depower kite. I have fitted the UDS to give the same travel as the triple A adjuster fitted as standard. This was so that I kept the kite within the factory spec. What it now gives me is the ability to alter the AoA as I'm flying, if I send it up and don't want to go sky ward I "depower" and the lift is dramatically reduced. It allows me to handle gusts and lulls better. TBH if you want a depower kite go for a depower, but if you want to get more out of your big Blade then a UDS is the answer. When the blade is "depowered" it really speeds up, from one extreme to the other (low AoA to high) it flies really well and stable.

Well I suppose thats what I really am looking for.. for my blade! Not necessarily depower as you say but the ability to increase its range and ability to change AoA on the fly is very appealing.. is it a "do it yourself" or better to send let them install and tune?

That all depends on your ability to "tune" it, the making of the UDS is pretty straight forward, more getting the "travel" correct than anything else. You then need to disconnect the AAA from the bridle and replace with the UDS. Once connected up it's the brake bridle length that needs tuning, too slack and it won't back stall to land, too tight and it'll keep back stalling.
I flew mine first in @6mph wind to make sure the UDS worked, rechecked all the UDS lines then concentrated on just getting the brake side right. Took a couple of hours to get it right.
To get one made, fitted and tuned is not a cheap option, that's why I went for doing it myself.

One side of my Blade UDS


First test flight, you can see the rear brake bridle is still to be adjusted


This is a good write up http://www.enrighthome.fsnet.co.uk/page3.htm
The blade has three bridle sets A/B/C plus brake

Still working on ordering lines to mod mine, BigE. You got 3mm, 700kg spectra right? Where the hell did you get the line? I can't seem to find it anywhere (although I DID end up getting a sick deal on Q Leaderline Pro from Kent at AWoC, but that's too big).

Can't wait to mod the hell out of mine

Keep me posted as to source on that line. Me thinks I'll like getting the most out of mine.

I used 3mm Dyneema line rated at 370kg http://www.cygnus-sails.com/item-English_Braids_Dinghy_And_K...
The kite pulleys take up to 4mm line. I've tried two types the Ronstan http://www.cygnus-sails.com/item-Ronstan_Kite_Bridle_Blocks....
and Riley RM302 http://www.cygnus-sails.com/item-Riley_RM_302_Micro_Block.ht...
Riley do seem better built, but so they should be as they are more expensive.

I'll put some dimensions up of my set-up.

Read U2U and thanks in advance for measurements.

Flyhigh did you get my reply?

I did. TY. I will hit the sailing supply shop here in town (4 yacht supply shops in20 mile) see what they have for me . Then at your convenience dimensions and I'll be on my way to giving this a whirl. Another post I read someone prefers blade3 over newer models so hopefully this works well for me and I can save by not buying VIP right away... oh but I want to I really do. So now what to spend my $$ on?

BigE, you're the man. Thanks for all the help!

No problem, I'll put up a break down of making one later this week if it would be any help.

Okay here we go, firstly this may not be the best method or the tidiest but it's how I do it
Here is one side that I have made to fit to my new Blade. I have not trimmed all the knot ends until it's fitted and had it's first flight to allow for any minor adjustments:

Here is the full UDS:


Starting from the lhs, there is from the top "A" bridle tie, over power stop (connects to "A" bridle), "B" bridle tie, "C" bridle tie and in black/yellow brake line with knots for adjustment.
Rhs is top power line, bottom brake line.

Here is the AAA that was fitted to my Blade VIP


The actual measurements are not critical, BUT what is important is that when the power/brake lines are in-line then the A/B/C should also be in-line.
From power line to tip of "A" bridle point is 86cm with a stopper knot at 27cm.
The next pic shows the stopper knot with the pulley lines slid back to show the knot


To attach the pulley lines I have used a slip knot with two twists.

More pics:



The AAA I had has a +/- 2.5 cm difference in adjustment, so with the power/brake line level the A/B/C should be in-line (for B and C I have left spare on the line for final adjustment on the kite).
Pulling the power line to the right until the stop is on the pulley, the difference between the "A" and "C" lines should be 2.5cm, pulling the brake line until the stop line is tight should result in a difference between the "A" and "C" lines of 2.5cm.
I used a directional figure of eight knot for the loops, there is one loop on a pulley which has two "ends" there I used an over hand knot.
Hopefully that will give you an idea of the set-up, good luck!!

Check it, BigE. 2.5 mm 1600 lbs. dyneema.

http://www.apsltd.com/c-1486-single-braids-dyneema-vectran.a...

I'm finally getting off my lazy ass and building it. In the US, this is the best store I have found. Thanks again for all the great info on the UDS!

Looking at the line on the link I'm not so sure, the main criteria is a "static" line i.e. no stretch I think this may be better: http://www.apsltd.com/c-1615-vectrancoreddoublebraids.aspx I ordered 6m for each side (red and blue). I did use a slightly lighter line for the brake line but that was because I already had some spare.