Depending on the wind the ghost landing will work. In lower winds the kite will dump into a pile and you can hustle out
and weight it down. The chicken loop has to be staked for this to work. I feel that landing it like an FB and staking the brake lines then running
down and weighting the kite to keep it from skirting up works more of the time. When I'm
going towards the kite I keep one side of the lines running through my hand so the kite will flag out if something happens.
Reactors 2.8 3.5 6.9
Peaks 4m 6m 12m
HQ Neo2 11m Ozone Chrono V2 15m WASP 5m
Flexi wide axle w/mids and runners
Skis Nordic skates and winter stuff
Quatro Wing Foilboard Slingshot Foils
NAPKA US06
That's been working well for me Ted... thanks for the advice... yesterday I took 2 stuff sacks and loaded them with sand... at the end of the day I
was able to land right on top of the same sandbags ... worked really well.
Well...I finally got out to the beach yesterday and got to fly my shiny new 12m Peak3. Also making my first official post on the Peak thread. I've got
one word for yesterday's session. AMAZING. Winds started out at 2-3mph. Then picked up in the evening to 6-7mph and this kite came alive! By the end
of the session winds were 10-12mph. I'm not going to do an in depth review. But I will post some Peak Porn for all who are interested.
Well...I finally got out to the beach yesterday and got to fly my shiny new 12m Peak3. Also making my first official post on the Peak thread. I've got
one word for yesterday's session. AMAZING. Winds started out at 2-3mph. Then picked up in the evening to 6-7mph and this kite came alive! By the end
of the session winds were 10-12mph. I'm not going to do an in depth review. But I will post some Peak Porn for all who are interested.
Downturns! Way to go Blitz. First downturn that kite had ever seen, so in essence you got it's maiden voyage of flying it right. Just wait until
you have a proper clean onshore so you can park and ride that Big Lady. You'll notice that there is a stopper ball at the top of the line that the
bar slides up and down on. It can be slid down to lock the bar in place for long runs. It made my morning to read that you had such a positive
experience with that beauty. Go get some!
Windstruck said:
You'll notice that there is a stopper ball at the top of the line that the bar slides up and down on. It can be slid down to lock the bar in place
for long runs.
I had my kite out in perfect onshore park and ride winds, using the stopper ball and put the kite away without moving the stopper ball out. Next time
out I hot launched the kite and it took me a while to figure out why the kite was not depowering. I was fine but lesson learned to move the stopper
ball back.
I'm not psychic...but I see more peaks in my future. That stopper ball worked great. I actually used it as a depower restriction. So the kite wouldn't
trim all the way out. Early in the session the winds were very light. I found if you let the bar out to far the kite would clutter and not build
speed. But if you keep just enough tension on the bar to keep it from fluttering it would accelerate much faster. But...if you let it flutter the pull
drops to almost nothing. Very nice.
The trim straps and full range of depower bar throw of the Peak3s are too stretched out for my reach. I had to resell my recently acquired 6m from
Steve.
Is that close enough to hate talk?
The trim straps and full range of depower bar throw of the Peak3s are too stretched out for my reach. I had to resell my recently acquired 6m from
Steve.
Is that close enough to hate talk?
Woh Nellie! Sorry to hear that Tami. Being so "vertically challenged" must really suck sometimes. What am I saying - most of the time.
You're the only kiter I know that goes through equipment faster than me. You couldn't just shorten up the doubled up line? You can untie it and retie
it shorter.
All kidding aside, I'm sorry it didn't work out for you. Memory serves a certain 15m Ozone Summit suffered a similar fate...
The trim straps and full range of depower bar throw of the Peak3s are too stretched out for my reach. I had to resell my recently acquired 6m from
Steve.
Is that close enough to hate talk?
Absolutely. Did you have the same trouble with peak 2 or was it better or different? I've only flown the real peak. Peak 1
Sean, I agree the original Peak is awesome. It's simplicity is a thing of beauty. I have the 6m (orange) and the 9m. Peak2s, including the 12m, aren't
a reach issue. The 4m has been dissed on a lot but I love it. It IS twitchy but a blast to fly.
Steve, about the height thing: ouch. I don't need the orderly, homogeneous quiver thing you have going, must be a tall person thing
The peak 1 6m is still the peak that I like the most. The light bar and shorter stroke work well for me, and the lack of trim function has not
been a problem. The twitchy action of the 4m can be cured by trimming in slightly for a reduced angle of attack. A case of the trim being very useful.
As the 4m comes, the AOA is too high for high speed flight and a high speed stall makes the kite very sensitive to steering.
An inch or two of trim and steering improves in a major way. Most flight problems on the peaks come from keeping the bar pulled in too
far and choking the kite. In light wind the kite may be stalling. Letting the bar out until just before the flapping (luffing in sailing terms)
gives the most power.
Reactors 2.8 3.5 6.9
Peaks 4m 6m 12m
HQ Neo2 11m Ozone Chrono V2 15m WASP 5m
Flexi wide axle w/mids and runners
Skis Nordic skates and winter stuff
Quatro Wing Foilboard Slingshot Foils
NAPKA US06
Yeah. I agree with your bit of knowledge there on the 4m. It does apply to most Peaks, that you can have a much better experience if you make sure the
mixer is in trim as well as the brake lines/front lines. We also put long line extensions on the smaller sizes which made especially the 4m more
civilized.
That - I think - , is also a part of why I really like and recommend trying a Peak 1 on a FS bar type Infinity 2 and up. It really shines and puts a
big smile on a Peak devoted's face, the characteristics improve somewhat, you can power/depower much easier while turning which means alot in my
experience. I even think it made less noise (flutter), but that might be wishfull thinking - or not... And you get proper trim adjustment on the fly,
makes life easier ( for like taking a breather without landing the kite).
You are not the only one though, Ted, who likes the original bar for being light and simple. I just hated the hole in the bar bite on the depow rope.
We did put 15 meter extensions on a P1 6m w/45cm inf.2 bar the other day. It became almost docile and self-flying, we had a big laugh it was really
strange to fly, just still touching on the recognisable.
Had an early morning minus tide today. Got a solid couple of hours in under the Big Blue bed sheet. Winds varied from 3-6mph. I find her bottom end is
right around 4mph. I was able to build some apparent speed and get moving. We weren't going anywhere fast. Top speed was 18.7mph but I got in 8 miles
before the wind died to nothing. When the wind sock was laying dead on the stick it was time to pack it in.
I haven't tried the line extensions, zippy works for me with the 4m. I'm more likely to change sizes if there is something lacking in the flight
pattern, rather than add extensions.
The ball is a very good thing. I've taught myself to check it on a regular basis, but still find it play sometimes when not needed. Never a problem
though.
Reactors 2.8 3.5 6.9
Peaks 4m 6m 12m
HQ Neo2 11m Ozone Chrono V2 15m WASP 5m
Flexi wide axle w/mids and runners
Skis Nordic skates and winter stuff
Quatro Wing Foilboard Slingshot Foils
NAPKA US06
If you like the PEAKs, wait till you try the LS2s...
Windstruck, did you end up getting one LS2 bar or one for every kite?
That's one of this setup's nice things, ONE BAR. The ends of the bar have an easy adjustment allowing you to vary the width of the outer lines from
45-60 cm apart in 5 cm increments. I do have a backup set of lines.
Some home made Peak Porn. Ocean Shores Wa. Wind SW at 6mph. This thing is an amazing low wind machine. The only think I could think of that might be
better is a 15m Peak........ Just sayin...
Is the Peak 2 worth upgrading to the Peak 3? Any changes made to the 3's that make it worth paying more for? Thanks!
I've owned both and I'd say if you don't feel the roof is leaking then don't fix it. The evolution between the P2s and P3s IMHO is a mixed bag.
Positives:
The kite itself is more refined in the P3 line than the P2 line
The reef line safety 5th line system is pretty slick
The bridling has been somewhat minimized
Flies with less flapping and tip tucking
Negatives:
DP pulleys have been reduced from 2 per side to 1 per side resulting in much higher bar pressure
Bar, though refined, has gotten much more expensive
If you want the little ball that you can slide down to hold the bar in place you need to get the pull/pull bar setup because the clam cleat bar
doesn't have the stopper ball
As you can see, a trade off. If cost is not a problem and you don't want the stopper ball and you don't mind more bar pressure then the upgrade will
be a good one for you. On the other hand, if you like your P2s and the negatives sound like they would bug you then I'd say stay put.
FWIW, you might want to take a strong look at the Born-Kite LS2s. I was a huge Peak fan until I got my hands on some LS2s. I sold my remaining P3s and
got a complete quiver of LS2s and never looked back. Just sayin....
Since relieving Windstruck of his Big Blue 12m Bed sheet. I have flown both. The P3 is definitely a bit more refined. But I'd say this. If you are
looking to get a bed sheet get a P3 if you already have one and are considering upgrading. Stick with the P2. You're not missing out on enough to
justify the cost IMO.
So I have several peak kites but just one bar and line set. My line set has quite a bit of wear in places. If I were to replace them, where are the
flysurfer ones available or can I use most any depower line set?
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