Reef Runner

That's a "bummer", also............ (sorry to hear about your camera) I'm so out-done! Man, I didn't even get to fly that kite!

You're not as sorry as I am............. It's my fault. I know better than to try and fly here, but it was just such a beautiful day, and the wind just felt so good.... Crap is all that I can say............ :ani_wallbash:

Well, I'm really feeling kinda stupid right now (REALLY). I recently purchased a few single line kites, just to have something to put up in the air, for "flash and for giggles", while I play with my dual and/or quad line kites. I've had the new kites for several weeks now, some I've flown, some not. I normally do my flying at the coast, but today, we had a really nice breeze going on (SE 9 - 10 mph) at home, so I thought, why not (?), I haven't even put up my new Dan Leigh XFS Delta yet, so let's give it a try. Well, I live on a golf course, and people are always giving me a hard time, about not flying there, but trust me, winds are really swirly on golf courses (by design), and I knew better. Those beautiful, wide open fairways, that look so inviting, are usually lined on either side, with trees, long rows of trees, and when it's those 100 - 120 ft pine trees, they channel the wind in all kinds of directions. Ever wonder why the Pros, play the wind, look at the flags, change clubs, etc? Believe me, it's a factor, a big factor, and it's not for kites. Ok - "long story short" - I pulled out my "BRAND NEW", ITW Dan Leigh XFS Delta, that I purchased just a couple of weeks ago, and figured I'd give it a shot. I mean it's a beautiful Sunday afternoon, no one on the course, the temps are wonderful, and such a great breeze, to boot. What could go possibly go wrong..........this is just a simple single line kite (SLK). So, I hook up my line, and up it went, and just as it clears the tops of the pine trees, I suppose a bit of that unstable, swirly air hit it, and wham-o, just like lightning, into the top of a big pine tree, it went. Crap! No way out.........again, "long story short", by the time I got it out, my brand new kite had flown, for less than 1 minute, risen to about 130 feet max, and now, after about 2 hours of struggling to get it back down, it was toast. The good news - nothing was broken (spars, spine, spreader, etc) The bad news - the sail was in shreds, with numerous holes, punctures, and tears, The damage was just unbelievable. I can't believe, that with less than one minute of flight time on this kite, I have managed to completely and totally, destroy it beyond repair. One brand new, unflown, very nice Delta kite, down the tubes. I'm talking completely UNREPAIRABLE.....(garbage can material) R.I.P. "this baby is history"

Sure, just PM me with your questions, and an email address, and I will be more than happy to share the Excel sheet, if you still want it........nick

Probably NOT ! (just kidding Nick - you've got just as good a chance, as anyone else - so who knows?)

Like I said, you guys are having WAY, WAY, TOO MUCH FUN ! Carry On !

Kewl..........you guys are having way too much fun !

Smooth is the ticket ! If you've never flown in smooth coastal winds, it's hard to explain.................

What else can you say !

Any stake works way better - It stays STILL !

I think not ! 5 - 9 - 0 Yep, that sounds good !

And secret code words.....................Shhhhhhhhh ! ps........welcome aboard !

No problem. I can just call Wayne !

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbaryl Yep, yep. When finished, and while the vac was still running, I introduced several burst of Sevin into the vac hose, and sealed it off. They had to put up with that, all night. Still a little nervous about opening the vac, though ? If there are any left in the wall, shoot some Sevin in there, too. That's the plan, but will be using Delta Dust for that ........... http://www.pestproducts.com/yellowjacket.htm#voids

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbaryl Yep, yep. When finished, and while the vac was still running, I introduced several burst of Sevin into the vac hose, and sealed it off. They had to put up with that, all night. Still a little nervous about opening the vac, though ?

I only have a stick You can always ask your nearest craftsman dealer for a returned screwdriver. Or, you could use an old "ice pick"........just be careful where you put it, when it's not in the ground !

I suppose I'll have to miss Lincoln City, too...........Been in a fight with a swarm of "Yellow Jackets" for the last three days, that have moved into a wall, right beside my front door. Sheeeeesh! They really are some ornery little buggers, but the shop vac seems to be doing the job..................(now, who can I get to open up that shop vac?)

Well Nick, you need to slow down - "Stop and smell the Revs" :cat_lol:

Oh, oh............"the Dark Side"........do you think we should let him in on that, this early ?

Hey Scott................just giving you a hard time ! My first stake (before I started making them), was also a screwdriver, but mine was just an old "Stanley"........... Now, that Craftsman is a "high class" stake, for sure

You are very welcome. Just hang in there, you'll probably get and information overload. Oh, and there's way too many great kites out there, to rush into anything. If possible, as I think someone mentioned, try to find somebody in your area that flies, and that might be willing to let you take a test run, on some other kites. The best way to make that happen, is to show up at the field, and at least be able to exhibit, that you have complete control over the kite you are flying. It might not be the best kite in the world, and you might not be tricking, but first of all, learn to keep it "off the ground". Nobody is going to walk over to someone that is taking "nose dives" and "face plants", and hand over the reins to a $200+ kite. Again, welcome aboard, and good luck.............

I'd take Wayne's advice - get yourself a good set of lines first, then learn to fly the kite tht you have, and when you get to where you have complete control over that kite, in all kinds of wind, then start thinking about a new kite........... Everybody needs a "beater" kite to learn on, and it sounds like you've got just the ticket. Then when you decide on your new kite, you've got a beater to teach the kids on............... Good luck, and glad to see you here, on Kitelife.............there's a bunch of good folks here, and a ton of great information - just ask

I second that..............

Congrats, on the Delta Conyne..............I was really planning on winning that Oh well, maybe next time

And it's getting late, over here on the right coast...............