Reef Runner

Thoughts from a "cruiser".............. .....................(Different strokes for different folks) This is a very interesting topic, and let me begin by saying, that YES, I do applaud each and every tutorial - indoor - outdoor - mechanical - technical - whatever ! And it goes without saying, that Kitelife (JB) does an absolutely wonderful job, of breaking down, producing, and presenting, this interesting and somewhat challenging hobby of ours, into a simple, down-to-earth perspective, that most anyone can understand, and for this, I once again thank him, for all he does, for all of us. However (IMHO), I feel that it is still quite possible, to have a tremendous amount of fun with kites, without getting too awfully serious, about this thing. I speak purely from a personal standpoint, as I know that many will disagree, but I have, and will continue to freely admit, to anyone that asks (Kitelife included), that I am NOT a trickster. Not by any means. I'm just a cruiser, and surely, there's got to be someone else out there, that isn't quite so serious, or maybe not? Anyway, before the quads grabbed my attention, I flew dualies, and it was the same with them. I enjoyed them immensely, as I do the revs now, but I don't take either too seriously. I go out, and I cruise the sky's (preferably while standing in the surf or sand), and as for that practice, practice, practice, vs. play, play, play, I'll choose "play" every time. When I go out to fly, my goal is simple, to enjoy the outdoors, to enjoy the sunshine, the sky, the wind, the clouds, and to just take it all in, while flying my kites. I could care less, if I ever do a trick, because as I mentioned, that's not "my" thing. I just want to enjoy flying my kites, without pressure to perform, and without judgment from others. When I fly, I just want to be able to let go, and soar, and if a trick happens, so be it. Only problem, I wouldn't recognize it, if it landed on my nose, but I'm surely not going to agonize over it, nor am I going to turn something that I do for pleasure, into work............ Now, no offense meant towards any of you workaholics, and I'll be the first to admit, that I applaud all of you, who "thrive on", and "succeed at", putting in the time and the energy, necessary to perfect your routines and goals, whatever they may be, but I think that I will spend my time "playing". We are all different, and as for myself, I have no aspirations to compete, and I have no plans to perform. I just want to enjoy flying my kites, and that's what I do. Don't take me wrong, because I thoroughly enjoy & admire, watching the true masters at work - "but I'm not that", and I never will be. I think I'll just continue to cruise, and when I can, I'll soar................... But as for the tutorials, YES, yes indeed, I think they are "ALL", fantastic, and as I mentioned earlier, I think that Kitelife (JB) delivers a truly remarkable service to the kiting community, really hard to put into words...........

Hey fearme...............check out these tutorials by JB Line Management Assembly/Disassembly Oh yeah, and what John said above....................

Hey John, I'm pretty sure, based on "fearme's" previous post, that he is talking about quad line (Rev SLE) Ref: http://kitelife.com/forum/topic/4146-rev-exp-or-sle-for-a-first-timmer/page__view__findpost__p__27394

Thanks Howard, I like that................Play, Play, Play............that does sound better , much better

Wooh ! Very nice kite, BUT - Been there, Done that & Got Dragged................and it wasn't as big as this one. I don't know, but I've got a young nephew, that would love it.............

John, I seem to stay logged on, all the time. I can't remember the last time that I actually, had to log in . I'm sure it was, whenever the last time I logged off ! So, whatever is going on with Jynx, must not be "across the board".......................

Yeah, yeah, yeah.......................I hear you Wayne........

Practice, practice, practice...............I hear you mate................practice, practice, practice

That, of course, is in the wine cellar, of which you speak so lightly. (And whatever you may think, **I** am not on top of a case. **I** have a chair.) Well, I knew that you were in a chair. Possibly I mis-spoke, when I said, "you and your laptop". I was was really referring to "your laptop", as being on the case, and "you", as just being in the wine cellar, again. My mistake ! What I meant to say was, "Nice Braces" ! Now, this topic is getting way off subject...................................... So, back to lines & sleeving & measuring & knots & such !!

You don't need another dualie in your bag - BECAUSE - you are now a REV-HEAD !!

Hey Howard, Thanks for sharing that.............I'll have to give it a try (maybe it's the music). There really is nothing nicer that flying with the music. My problem is, that I seem to be able to do just as you describe, 6" - 12" above the ground, but as I try to gain altitude, that's where I seem to lose it............I know - practice, practice, practice, and maybe a little "Snow Patrol"..............again, thanks for sharing that.

OK Pete, we're going to have to take the keys to the "wine cellar", if you keep this up !!

Of course not. You need both hands to fly a Rev. You must land the kite to drink. Then you can fly again. That's what I like about a Rev, I can execute a controlled landing, much easier than with a dualie. Pete nailed it - FLY, LAND, DRINK, REPEAT - FLY, LAND, DRINK, REPEAT !!!

Well, I thought that photo, was the serious Pete........... I liked the one with you and your laptop, on top of a case...........

Well, I vote for the relaxed Pete !

500 bottles of wine on the wall, 500 bottles of wine, take one down, swirl it around,....yikes....500 bottles.........gone ? Well - I suppose I'd be having problems putting things into logical order, too !

Hey Pete, Have you been hanging out in the wine cellar again.............. When are you going to share your, "no-measure, tunnel method", with the rest of us ?

Hey fearme, Good choice for a first Rev..............I bet most of us started out with an SLE. Anyway, it's a great kite, and tough as nails.........it will definitely take a licking, and keep on ticking, and seeing as you are just learning, that 7/16" Leading Edge (SLE), will be just the ticket. Keep the 1/4" frame in the bag, until you learn the mechanics of the Rev. Once you are up and flying, and the "unintentional landings", are at a minimum, then switch frames..............good luck

Another good substitute is a roll of florist wire. You can find it at most any hobby shop, or even at "Wally World". It's usually on a roll, about 3" - 4" in diameter, with a self cutter, and it's cheap as dirt. Just pull off about 2 feet, double it and press the bend together tightly, to form the nose (eye) of the tool, and start threading. Just another cheap alternative, and it's disposable

Thanks, I am glad the post helped. Sorry for the length, I do get rambling on sometimes. The Green Race rods were developed by Revolution just recently, and are the latest in carbon technology. The design and construction came because of a need in some military applications that Rev was working on. It turned out so well that when they heard of a couple people constantly breaking the Race Rods they were using they decided to do something special for them (seems underwater flying was putting some serious stress...who'dathunk?). I am not really sure on what the actual material is that is used in the Green Race Rods (company secret), but was told that the carbon is the same type and layup as the normal Race Rods - but what is mixed in with it during the wrapping process is what gives the rods their special "Olive Green" look while also giving them superior strength. The Greenies are not 100% shatter proof and if you put them under enough stress, they will explode - but chances are that under that much force the kite or sail would be destroyed before the rod would actually blow out. There is a picture of me flexing the green race rods in my gallery folder. My fingers were starting to hurt during the flexing process while waiting for the picture to be snapped. Hmmm, I guess my gallery got deleted, I can no longer find it. I will have to see if I can find a copy of the pictures somewhere..... If you want to see the pic, let me know and I will try to find it. Hey Kent, Thanks for the information on the greenies, and I do remember seeing that "white knuckled" picture, you are referring to.............

Hi fearme, If I were you, I would go back to the second post under this topic, and take a closer look. The member (windofchange), that answered your original questions, in such detail, was Kent Kingston, from "A Wind of Change" http://www.awindofchange.com/ . Check out his website (he's a real kite store) and/or give Kent a call at (800) 559-2962 . Kent is very knowledgeable about Revs, and he won't steer you wrong. I have dealt with that other place that you are talking about, whom I won't mention, and believe me, they are not a "kite shop", and should you need any, after-the-sale help, or expertise, forget it, they won't help you, nor will they even answer you emails. My advice - CALL Kent...............800-559-2962 You won't be sorry!..............

Nick, I certainly understand the confusion since I wrote it wrong. Should be 80 feet 10 inches I added 10 inches to the target line length of 80 foot to be used up in half the loop and 4 knots on one 17 inch piece of sleeving only. I didn't have to add any more line for the sleeving at the other end. That sleeving was already on the other end of the line looped and all knots done. I was measuring the total length of the line with the first completed loop on the nail. Bruce Hey Bruce, No problem, I understood the mechanics of what you were saying perfectly (one loop was already completed, etc), it was just the 90" part, that I suspected was a typo ! Thanks for correcting that. My brain takes a vacation, every once in a while, also Your procedure, even though you go about it a bit differently than I do, seems very similar, and yields very similar results. Bottom line, we are both adding the same number of knots to the sleeving, but it appears that I am allowing for an additional 3" of raw line, in my procedure. As I understand your procedure (regardless of the predetermined length), you are adding to that predetermined length, one length of sleeving (17"), plus 3" for the knots (overall), whereas, in my procedure, I am adding one length of sleeving, plus 6" for the knots (overall). However, as you actually perform your procedure, you are adding only half of that (sleeving + 3") amount, to the second end, because you have already made the first loop, correct ? In my case, I am cutting the full length of raw line, prior to making either loop, hence, I add the entire length of sleeving, plus my extra for the knots, to the predetermined length. Our differences on the amount to leave for the knots, is probably due to the sleeving itself. My sleeving may be a bit fatter, than what you are using, but still, we are talking about only a 3" difference, overall, which when doubled into the loops, cuts that difference in half. I'd say we are pretty much together on this thing............. I find it very interesting, to compare the different ways, that we each go about measuring and putting together these sets of lines. Everyone has their own personal procedure, which is somewhat unique to the individual, yet most all of us, yield basically, the same results. That was the whole point of this topic, to get individuals to put into writing, their processes & procedures. Again, I thank you for joining in......... I would have given anything, to have all this information, the first time I attempted to make a set of lines.............

Hey Bruce, Thanks for contributing, and yes, much of that does indeed sound familiar, especially the part about attaching things to the workbench, and heading out the door, down the driveway. I followed everything, except measuring out the 90"...........I may have missed something , I'll go back and read that again.......

Hey Kent, That's a really, super-informative post, there.............clears up a lot of questions. Only thing I'm not quite sure on, is the real difference in the two race rods (black vs. green). Could you detail those, just a bit more ? thanks, if you could..........

Eureka !