JoneZ

I know absolutely nothing about power kites, but would it not be possible to snip that blob of melted together lines off, create loop points on all the individual lines, then larkshead them all on a large pigtail? I don't know if that'll work, but thats the first thing that came to mind. Could you post some comprehensive pics of your bridle, so we can get a better look at it? Thanks m8. ~Jon

Hey Dave. I have taken the tail weight off. In fact, I rarely, if ever (save high winds) put it on. I find it too heavy in general. What I did do, was replace the nock end ferrules with hollow core ferrules. saved about 2 grams per side. That has helped considerably with oversteer. Next I am replacing the ferrule at the base of the spine with a hollow core as well. My hope is that it will balance out the kite. If it knocks the balance out of whack, I was thinking of grabbing (or making) some 1 gram weights to attach to the tail section around the ferrule to compensate. Also yes, I was making my inputs way to large. I've been noticing that the more I fly. I've been working on my push turns, from 90 degree turns to 45 degree turns. I'm getting better (and getting use to) locking in those turns, but there is still some oversteer/tracking issues, even when my inputs are lessened. So really, the last thing to try is the tail section ferrule, and I think that'll be all of my modifications to the Widow. It'll just be a matter of getting use to the way she flies after that. Then,, practice practice practice practice practice... ~Jon

^^^ Yeah... What he said.... ^^^

Hey Dodd; Would you happen to have a vid of the Sweet Emotion in action? ~Jon

Good blog m8. And I am in concurrence for the most part on what you're saying. It's all how the machine flies, not how much you pay for it. Free market enterprising has created such a "status" demon, that it doesn't give smaller, newer or lesser known companies, who have the same quality, the shot to really shine out in the marketplace. "If it's less expensive, its not as good". Always in search of the next bigger, badder and newer kite out there to keep up with Mr. Jones. Phehhhh..... I've always been an enemy of the free market, so this really speaks to the heart of what think on this issue. So far, I've only flown your cherry bomb, and I have to say, the thing can trick for a beginner kite (made a couple bridle mods to it, and installed some caps on the wingtips), and overall I really enjoy shredding wind with that kite (I've dubbed it "The Squirrel Master"). If I can ever get a chance to try out the Sweet Emotion, I'll give 'er a go. She looks impressive . Im sure I'll be nothing but impressed, and perhaps add it to my arsenal of Kites I love. -cheers m8 ~Jon

Thought I'd put this up here for anyone thinking of making their own kite. Tom's kite building site http://www.tweelijners.com/tom/tomskitesite-en/Home.html Once Im 100% confident with my sewing (mostly preventing jams), Im going to attempt my first sail. Thinking of an UL.

Confidence = good. I remember upgrading to a higher end kite, and how much it inspired me. Great that you're enjoying it. Keep it up! ~Jon

No wind. Sunday. Beers. Just dang bored. You? Entertain me! I'll get the ball rolling

Hey Dodd!! I've been trying to get a hold of NTK to ge tthe Cherry Bombs bridle measurements, but to no avail. Would you be able to rattle some cages there and get a response from them? I've literally sent 3 emails and got nothing but automated replies in return 0.o Thanks bro ~Jon

Finally got my slides worked out. My biggest issue was dealing with the widows oversteer when I was coming around for the approach of the slide. I've been slowly reducing the weight of the Widow, and the oversteer is less and less now. I just replaced the wingtip nock ferrules with hollow core ferrules, and saved a few grams per side,, right at the wingtip,,, and that seemed to help quite a bit with setting the kite up for the slide (a lot less oversteer) I can slide about 1/4 to 1/2 the window so far, and its one of the most fun tricks to pull off in my opinion. ~Jon

A Deep Space would be exceptionally awesome. How much would one of those run Kent? After all the exchange and what-not. ~Jon

Just replaced the nock ends and ferrules on the widow. The old ones weighed 4 grams per side (with ferrule, nock and line) The new ones with the hollowed ferrule (with line) are 1.5 grams. 2.5 grams weight reduction per side. This might make a slight difference, being as all that weight was in the last 3 inches of the wingtip. btw. If you thought Theresa was jokin about the blender (like I thought), she was most certainly not. lol Thanks for the blender T. Hopefully I can get that sucker workin again. hehe ~Jon

Let us know how she flies m8.

But I don't want to share hahaha then other people will buy them out before I get the money together! hahaha and its 135 to be exact Then please, PM me that link. I need to see this.

You found the Xtreme for $130? Impossible! I need to see this link. I'll buy 3 if thats the case. lol

As far as I know, there isn't. I wish there was,, and if there is, I would like to know as well. lol the Widow was based on Skyburners Widow Maker. The Widow has the exact specs (sail, frame, etc...) as the Widow Maker (designed by the same person - Jon Trennepohl.), only it was made with cheaper materials (nylon vc. icarex, no leech line, etc...) It was also produced in China. Thats the reasons for the cheaper price. It still has a skyshark frame, which is excellent, as well as sewn french seams (great for preventing sail freying), which alot of mass produced factory kite do not have. It flies great, and flies even greater with a few small modifications. I'd recommend it.

Hmm. Im not sure of any icarex kites for $150 ish range. Ripstop nylon or polyester might be the way to go. Anyone else? Personally, my Premier Widow is great for all intents and purposes. Nylon sail -- stretches a bit in the wet, but its a great kite.

Indeed m8. The one problem you might run into with the way you're doing it (as its happened to me), is if a big gust of winds come up, and you arent hanging onto your lines tight enough as your walking back, the kite could launch by itself, causing frustration. Frustration = bad new bears. With the method I described, theres virtually no way that the kite could self launch. Its in the "walk of shame" position, only with the lines wrapped over top of the kite, so when pulled, it will be pulled up onto its nose, and then gently flip onto its back for normal launching position (that is, if you just run your lines taught, then walk back).

If it weren't such a hassle to get out there I'd be out there a hell of a lot more often than I am. lol Traffic, coming from Oregon City, is not the greatest most the time. That and I drive a Jeep which gets 15Mpg if Im lucky. lol I think after my wedding (July 3rd) Im going to make getting out to Delta pk a weekly thing. Most likely Sundays. ~Jon

I gave J.B.'s Jump a fly about a month ago. Its a great performing kite. Although with any smaller wingspan kite, its very squirrely. But by far the best small class kite I've flown. Another good small class is the Cherry Bomb by New Tech. Its a yank and spank kite, which is good for beginners. But it does not perform as well as the Jump.

Welcome to the forum m8. Good to see new ppl getting into the sport. Try this for self launching ur sport kite. Set your kite up, and attach your lines -- feed about 6-8 feet off the winder first off. Then, take your kite (assuming it is facing towards you in 'launch' position), and wrap it up in the lines so it ends up belly down, nose towards you with the lines draping over-top the kite (see pic below). Then just walk your lines back. You can experiment with different launches from this position. I like to try and balance the kite on its nose at about a 45degree angle away from me, then give a quick pop on the lines to get the kite into a turtle position, then another quick tug to ground the kite on its wingtips for a standard launch. You can always just walk back to unwrap the kite and set it up for normal launch position as well. I like this method, because it eliminates the need for a ground stake. Once you master landing (on your wingtips ofc.), you can get into this position by performing a variation of a yoyo takeoff. You rock your nose forward, then give a tug with slack afterwards -- enough slack to wrap your lines 1 time, and just enough so that your kite will land belly down, nose-towards. Heres a vid on a yoyo takeoff -- should be a good visual. Im not the best at explaining things. hehe (Note the nose rocking forward, just enough so that it starts to fall forward,, then a quick pop followed by slack. Remember to only give just enough slack to land it belly down. Too much ,and you'll wrap up and fly off.) First pic is the lines wrapped over the trailing edge. This is what you should see as your walking your lines back. Second pic is the view from behind. The lines should more or less be drawn over the trailing edge between the standoffs, or as close as you can get.

I found you on facebook, and stole it. o.0

Bridle design of the Widow is definitely different than the lvl one Genesis. The Widow doesnt catch the fade as well as the Genesis. Lighter winds are key though, thats for sure. Im just gonna lay off the backspin till my fades are 127% perfect. I think by that time I will have earned enough to buy a competition class kite. <-- Will paint your house for kite money!

Facebook = EEEEEvil.... For businesses, yeah, great stuff, but for personal? hmmm. Questionable imho. Never liked the idea of being that "accessible" online. Just a google search away. No thanks