Have I bitten off more than I can chew?:puzzled:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/3035902454_9de2737be3_o....
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/3035065577_c6efc8dd6b_b....
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3069/3035901676_eaaa8dc8c1_o....

Ha Ha !

I had the pleasure of trying CanucS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s Kitesurfer XXXL ! The Big Green Machine

It is a JOY to fly ! :wee:

Partly why I picked up an XL of my own.

I'm only about 140lbs. I was on the Blades and the wind was light. My 9m Blade II was doing the job that day as well. Maybe 8mph winds ? They both had a lot of similar feel. Both have a pretty limited ( but safe ) range for a little guy like me. I never tried jumping with either that day. I like terra firma and yet like to know I can fly my way out of a lofting. I felt very comfortable that I could handle this kite even if things started to go wrong. Similar enough to my Blade that I was comfortable right away.

Flying this kite in lumpy winds could be an up and down experience !!!

Don't be afraid of this kite! Just repect it !

May your pet by the fence R.I.P. :saint:

Looks like youre gonna need a bigger yard :D

tridude,

I see that you have the measurment tape stretched near the LE of the red wing. What's the wingspan? Thanks.

thanks Ken tough loss our JRT, had her for 14 years...................

KP, the wingspan flat is 20 feet but shes thick! Kinda dwarfs the XXL......................

Hahaha the evil Quadrifoil bug has bitten ya'll hard!!!

They are sick kites that really kick you in the seat of your pants!

Good luck-Scott

Here are a few pics of a XXXL I had here:

Backside:

Side:

Logo:

It was a bit of a pain to inflate at first. But after that, she felt very "Blade" like.

Yup very Blade like but yet not a Blade. The pain to inflate wasn't to much problem for me. Actually they hold air in so well they are a PAIN to deflate. The deflate is what keeps me away from these kites.

I think a set of zipper valves or zelcro valves to help get the air out would be great.
Have fun.
Scott

Once you get used to your big red machine you will have a blast. It is the ultimate low wind kite for me. As long as the breeze is enough to inflate it and get it to the top of the window (5 kph / 3 mph) you can work it for a ride. The Quadrifoil data sheet suggests a wind range of 8-15 mph for a 175 lb kiteboarder on 100 ft lines

It is scary here with gusty inland winds on a landboard or coyotes - lot of days with 3 - 15 mph winds so one minute you are working to stay moving and the next you are fighting the jet engine that has been lit up on the end of your lines. It has kicked my ass a few times.

It is a real handfull to land on your own in 15 mph winds too - once inflated they like to stay airborne :Ange09:

Enjoy

I owned the one from second wind for awhile.

had powerzone mod it a bunch

added a middle zip like a flysurfer
cut the intake valves from 3 round holes to 1 oval hole shape to speed up inflation a bit.
converted the kite to depower with an airush 5 line bar
added FDS 5th line

I would highly recommend all of the mods with the exception of the depower mod. I don't think this canopy is designed to be sheeted. with the depower mixer it was either on or almost on and when it was almost on it had very slow steering.

it was a fun project and it was absolutely amazing how light of wind I could get it to fly in. I think these kites are about as close to a silver arrow as you can get. 5th line is a must have for solo flying if you decide to convert to a bar.

congrats on the find!

some pictures of the XXXL I had after powerzone modded it!

Flying
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/nwsurfwakeskate/flori...

Inflating before launch
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/nwsurfwakeskate/flori...

FDS deployed
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/nwsurfwakeskate/flori...

btw I think its pretty much awesome that these kites are about 10 years old now and they still out perform a lot of modern day kites :D

maiden flight yesterday (purchased on the flea but never flown).......very impressive sail. Has some bedding in to do but overall pleased. Winds were 6 to 8 mph sometimes dropping to almost nothing. Inflated fine in light winds and once I found the brake sweet spot she was off no problem. Flew her static at first, tweaking the brakes, checking bridle lines etc during the lulls. I did manage to make a few runs on the landboard (grass surface). Was able to get upwind which was surprising with the light wind conditions. Downwind was a bit more exciting. LOTs of power in this one folks. We've got 10 to 15 mph winds today so more to come as they say.......................This should be a fun one to play on at Folly next month. On hard packed sand you buggy animals could probably get and keep rolling in 4 to 5 mph winds...............

What size is that thing anyway?

9.6m Quadrafoil Kitesurfer XXXL

From his sig. :duh: Sorry, I'm feeling feisty since it's Friday.

Ah... thanks

Dylan,

thanks for the catch and Bobs correct on the size.............update on the winds....15 to 24 today so I dont think so.................13m V day this afternoon after I finish my first set of homemade handles............Phreerider is probably shredding it right now with his 13....................

Now you know why there has been so many Quadrifoil Competition kites in my quiver over the years. :wee:

For raw power nothing compares. The only kite that comes close is the Blade IV.

Scott

Quote:

Originally posted by speleopower Now you know why there has been so many Quadrifoil Competition kites in my quiver over the years. :wee: For raw power nothing compares. The only kite that comes close is the Blade IV. Scott

yep., Im starting to understand that. Top end is listed at 15............that should be a lot of fun or painful.

Ive owned an 8.5m Blade 3 but that was early dayz and my skill level at that point wasnt all that good so I cant fairly compare. Id like to have B Roc fly this one along side his 8.5 and see what he has to say....................... One thing I do know is with 15 gusting to 25, its in the bag today.....................

Hope you really enjoy the kite.

Here's another pic of me on mine.

Here's one doing a laydown jibe

a few pics taken by my daughter..........................winds 10 to 12, kite has a lot of power, flies well on a strop (thank goodness)...........

looks like a lot of fun :D. How was landing it?

landing on the brakes (manual) isnt too bad but deploy the kite killers and she tucks and sits very well, a lot like the HQ Neos. 14/15 mph is def top end on land, 9 to 12 is the sweet spot. Very powerful with great low end. KGB on land in 5 to 6 no problem. With a buggy on sand, 3 to 4 Im guessing. Once you get rolling and apparent wind kicks in, youre rollin!! Forecast has onshore winds early next week so Im gonna take her to the water for a test run.........................

Hmmm, i think i sense a bit of... yup yup I do.... I'M JEALOUS! that's a kite perfect for conditions around here lately. Hope you get some good sessions with it this weekend

The only thing I would add to you is be careful deploying the kite killers. I snapped my brake main attachment point lines one time by hitting the "killers". The line broke with is good instead of ripping something apart on the kite.

The icarex material is fragile when shock loaded. It's very light but doesn't take a lot of abuse. Catch the kite on a pole or have someone catch the kite for you if possible.

Landing the kitesurfers was the hardest part for me and ultimately why I don't have any of them. They don't deflate fast enough for me which is good for water.

See ya Scott
p.s. great pictures!