JustStuff

Not sure how I missed this post a month ago. Hope that you're first kite festival was a blast. It was quite windy at Bodega Bay that Saturday and we had to keep a lot of our larger kites "in the bag". However, the strong winds didn't keep our vented Rev's from flying high. FYI, not sure if you were visiting the Bay Area or live here....nonetheless, don't forget about the Berkeley Kite Festival scheduled for the last weekend in July. It's a great festival and much larger than the Bodega Bay event. It's always a great time for all!!!

Just to keep bb49 honest...I'm In!

Here's my 2 cents worth ( which is now worth less than that...cause I type slow, or it wasn't worth that much in the first place) Anyway, I prefer Shanti SkyBond. Why? Simply, the lines are "slicker" thus fly smoother. If you're flying in groups, smooth, slow and precise, all are superb lines. I've flown with them all. However, if you want to bust a Rev loose in moderate winds and "fly it like you stole it", hard and fast, then go try putting 25 fast spins in one direction on LPG lines. Those puppies will "burp, squeal, and curse" at you during the whole process of putting all those tight twists in your quad lines (due to line friction). Not my SkyBonds. Then, doing the unwinds quickly will have that kite/LPG line combo fighting you the whole way. Not necessarily a bad thing...lol. Of course, like most of us here, I've got line sets from most quality manufacturers at varying lengths for different flying conditions. I just prefer SkyBond! You really can't go wrong with either line set!

Well said Nick....now, be sure to get a really big bread truck and I'll lease half of it from you.

Hey Captain, Having two kite bags of quality "dualies", (Widow Maker, Delta Drives, Kymera, Quantum Pro...) I don't unhook the LE bungees from the wingtips either. And the crowd yells "Booooooo....get the bum..." Candidly, I think that I used to way back when, but quit somewhere along the way. That being said, I've not noticed any unusual stretching/wear/detriment on my kites. And, believe me, at these prices...I would notice!!!

OK Nick....thanks for the Easter smile. I'm still laughing. Regarding the drawing - I'm in! Thanks...

Hey Nick...still busting up from the "KL Police" comment. I'm not sure why it strikes me as so damn funny, but I'm still laughing as I type this. Sheesh...

No, no, no...Respectfully, or maybe not , this "puppy" is staying on the West Coast...pretty please???

Boomer? Yo ho...hey Boomer? Earth to Boomer...Houston, we have a problem.... I'd type slower if that would help! Anyway, JB, Boomer's "coded" message probably means that "he's in" (in Boomer-speak). I'd default to that position. Anyway,for the record, me too!!! (Huh, does "me too" mean that I'm in? Of course, it does) I'm in!!! There are only two absolute certainties re: this drawing. 1.) I'll get a number and ... 2.) I will not win. Thus, good luck to everyone else.

O.K...I'm back (not that I was ever missed :ani_whistling: ) First of all, congrats on your win! Secondly, I'm in too. Thanks...and looking forward to the drawing. Good luck all.

Ummm..Nic? If you've flown it "only one time for about an hour"...that's still 'brand new'...lol. In that case, " I'm in..."

@ Marty @ Nick It's my understanding, that it doesn't have to be a "dualie", or a "quad", or even a kite, and it doesn't have to be new. It can be anything that pertains to kiting, or that could be used by a kite flier, such as a kite bag, sunglasses, hat, wind meter, line winders, or whatever. I think it's pretty much wide open. It's not the item, or the value, that counts. It's the Karma ! Hey Nick from NC...thanks for all the additional info.

Hey Gang...since I've been gone for a while and these Karma drawings were new to me, I went back and read about the previous posts/drawings to see how they went (all of your inputs to me were....motivating ) Simply, this is a great idea! More importantly, I know that I've got something of value for someone here. Thanks everyone!!! How did Arnold say it in Total Recall? Oh yea...."I'll be back"

Way to go Nick..."new guy" luck...lol...good for you!!! :clap2: Enjoy the kite!!! Oh, to makatakam....the Karma drawing...great idea. I'm going to check my "inventory" in the garage...I must have something in there to "pay forward" for another drawing! Is anyone out there interested in "dualies" or are "quads" it? Oh yea, NIck, what are you donating to the Karma cause? Congrats again!

Wow...tough entry requirements! Nice kite... Damn, I wish that I lived on Earth. Will a P.O. Box work? Good luck to all you Earthlings.

Hey Jeff, You're on the right track...Let's see...Leading edge for Quantum is pultruded carbon. Hmmm, and I don't recall/know the exact I.D. of the Quantums L.E. so I'm not much help. However, contact Kent or Daelyn at the "Wind of Change Kite" link that you posted. They'll know exactly which diameter ferrel you'll need.

Hey Jeff, I thought that the leading edge ferrules on the Quantum were "a plastic material". Nonetheless, most of the kite shops that I know in our area e.g. Kite Shop in SFO, Highline Kites in Berkeley, Candy and Kites in Bodega Bay should have a composite ferrule to help you out. Candidly, even your local H/W store should have some suitable replacement. No...steel rods won't work...but they are hard to break...lol...just teasing!!! For online help, check out "A Wind of Change" in Las Vegas, or "Kites and Fun Things". And, as a last resort, if we see you at the Marina in SFO, I'm certain that I've an extra one in my spares kit.

Hey Jeff, Just reading your post...Welcome to 'the family'. You'll find that you and your family will be meeting some really great people while flying your kites. My family flies regularly...seeing that you are in the Bay Area (which kind of narrows it down...lol), there are lots of great places to fly. We generally fly at different locales ranging from Alameda to Berkeley to SFO...even at Bodega Bay to the north. All are great locales. I'll send you a PM...feel free to come join us. Now, go check your email!

Well snattsas, I wish that I could offer some specific dimensions to help you out, but I can't. Didn't find much on the web to help you out either. However, a couple of points for you...if anyone here knows, or knows of someone else who does have info to help you, you'll get a reply. Secondly, in my opinion, your estimates should be ample to get the kite flying even for the remaining parts in question. I don't ever recall seeing one of these (ebay has some new ones for sale approx 40 bux), but wish you luck. You'll be AOK...it's just a kite! How old is your grandson? Depending on his age, if you ask around here, the 'gang' would also have some great ideas for his next kite. Best wishes, Marty

O.K...simply...Hey JB, how about contacting Jeryl (#333) for me. I'd like to "borrow" his number. At quick glance, he's won both a Rev and a Kymera in the last 9 months. Way to go Jeryl. Good for you. Also, JB, looking forward to meeting you next week in Berkeley at the kite fest. Until then, all have a great weekend. I'm outa here, for now. Marty

So, JB, you really have enough time to check the results for the last "gal" winner? Actually, my comment/question re: female winners, was rhetorical, at best. Guess that I should've known that you'd get the answer...John "Mr. Diligence" Barresi. In this case, then, thank you very much! Your efforts are always appreciated. I actually thought that we had a more recent winner. I guess that "Jeryl" who just won the Zen is a guy....Same must go for "Robin" who won the "Sweet Emotion". One thing tho, reasonably thinking, I'd wager that the "Donna" of the WidowMaker winners "Fred and Donna" is a gal. If not.....well..... Regardless, in my book, she counts!!! So, we have had a female winner recently. Nonetheless, congrats again to all. You've rec'd some great kites. I'm a tiny bit green with envy. . Again, JB, thanks for the follow up! Oh yea, are you planning to be at the Berkeley Kite Festival in two weeks?

Hmmm...Photomom brings up a good point. It would be AOK for a woman/lady (wait, those words aren't synonomous. Ah, never mind...different forum). Anyway, didn't a "gal" just win one of these give-aways recently? Not sure, but... Hey JB, check the latest results for a female winner. Guess that I could review the previous winners myself, but, simply, I'm too lazy. O.K. "P-mom", if I win, I'll include you in the group that I'm "re-gifting" this kite to ( Pete, Hedgewarden, and Baloo are the others). If you've not a clue as to what I'm talking about, go review the previous posts in this forum. You four can 'duke it out' for the mid-vent. Hell, if not careful, and this group gets larger, I may be the only one not eligible to win when I win. How's that for jibberish? Good luck!

Hey Rob, To answer your questions...use 5 lines for stacking stunt kites (each end of the top spreader, each end of the lower spreaders at the leading edge i.e. your bridle points, one each just above the center T connector). With a your Visions, 31 inch link lines should be fine. FYI, link lines should be approx 2/3 to 3/4 the length of your leading edge. Leading edge length is what's important, not wingspan i.e wingtip to wingtip. I prefer the smaller 2/3, but 3/4 is generally what is recommended. I'll give you the procedure for stacking two kites...just repeat the procedure for the others. It's rather simple. First of all, attach your link lines to your lead kite using a larks head knot. Your lead kite is the one closest to you when flying. Attach the lines at the 4 bridle points (upper and lower) and just ahead of your center T connector on the "spine". Make sure that these lines lead backward from your lead kite to the kite behind. Secondly, based on your question, it appears that you're making your own stack lines (which is fine...). In that case, make 5 pigtails with knots for adjustment and attach them to the second kite at the same points as your lead kite. Now, attach (lark's head) your link lines to the pigtails and you're ready to fly (with 2 kites anyway!). To stack more kites, just add more link lines and pigtails and repeat. In closing, some additional info that may be of help: Equal length for your link lines is important. Be sure all lines are the same length. As previously mentioned, the pigtails have knots for adjustment, but it's best to be diligent when making the initial lines. A small difference in length (as small as 1/2 inch) can make your stack "wobble" in flight. Wobble sucks.... Make sure that you upgrade your flying lines (and handles). When flying stacked kites, the line that is used for a single kite, generally, won't work. The lines must be heavier. In fact, don't even try it in any substantial wind. Nothing worse than having a line break on a stack. Have you ever seen 5 kites spin tightly in the air and crash into good ole Mother Earth. Not a pretty sight. Psst...that's experience talking!!! Dummy me. Anyway, I fly stacks (3-5 kites) with a little bigger kite than your Visions and use 300lb Laser Pro w/ big padded Peter Lynn wrist straps. You probably won't need lines that heavy...but, I'd recommend some 150# lines minimum. Start flying your stack with just 2 kites...get the feel of the increased pull. Make any needed adjustments at this time to keep the kites stable.Then, add kites accordingly. If you decide that you're going to fly your stack often, you may want to consider removing the bridles from your trailing kites. No need for them and it's a cleaner set-up. Finally, if you fly 3 or more kites in your stack, shorten the two link lines to the last kite at the lower spreader by an inch or so (tying a knot(s) in the line is the easiest way to shorten...) This helps the last kite fly more smoothly and track better with the others. My apologies for the length of this reply. However, this should give you a good starting foundation. Now, get to work...and have a blast flying. Oh yea, don't forget to add tails. The crowd loves em! Marty

Well JohnCr...you've gotten good advice. Go to your local hardware store and get some rubber flat washers for your faucet. They'll work just fine. And, they're about a dime apiece...

Not to repeat the others, but...WOW! I agree, one of the absolute best routines that I've ever seen. Hope to see it in person someday. Hey, JB...you ever get to the Berkeley Kite Fest? Many kudos to the IQUAD pilots. Great job!!! Certainly, very impressive!!!