Wayne Dowler
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Posts posted by Wayne Dowler
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That lightweight a batten, weight is negligible. The Wren's design I'm guessing, leads to it being a bit more "floaty", while JB's is a mix of floaty but track able. And still maneuverable enough to trick.
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Sorry - I thought the Wren's battens ended at the spine, not top spreader. That said, the Wren's design leaves the top 30% of the sail uncontrolled or tight. That means that top part of the sail can load, unload, and not always as you desire. JB's design gives a full tightening from nose to TE. The sail can never lose any shape the way the battens run.
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1 hour ago, Breezin said:
At kbp the Wren plan is in French and sounds like baton to me. Old Kite Shoppe ad shows a Jeff Howard Wren. Nice looking kite. Both the plan and the ad show a different angle with a bend at the top. From looking at different kites in this style Kaiju is a bargain.
Spelled batten and originated in the sailing world. Wren's battens are anchored at the spine using fittings, causing the bend. JB's are going into pockets sewn in the nose, therefore little to no bend. Several gliders use them, most notable the Chiroptera from Will Sturdy.
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That's the pros and cons in a nutshell. Short lines fit in more places, but reaction time decreases dramatically. And you can really see how the kite reacts to inputs, see wing tip wraps, etc. Long lines give a bigger canvas to paint on, more reaction time (if you see things going south soon enough), etc. Both have advantages and disadvantages.
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Congratulations!!!
Well another drawing and a perfect record still intact.
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Bada Bing!!!@!
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Every new kite today comes with a flash drive, all the latest and greatest tricks are onboard. You just have to figure out how to install them!!!
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22 minutes ago, SparkieRob said:
Ahem, think I'm about 15 hours ahead....
Sent from a Galaxy 8 Far Far Down Under.
Just means you know you lost sooner!!!
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HB2U???? That's not a Polo in your stocking - it's coal!! Oh - wrong holiday!! Grumble, groan, kick myself ............must be getting old......!!
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Nearly forgot - NOT!! Getting closer and closer to flying my new kite!!! LOL!!!
Ya gotta butter up the RNG!!!!
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5 hours ago, Nekoshi said:
I had to mark it but I moved it this far towards the nose. I'll keep playing with it next time I'm able to try it out. Thanks so much everyone! I also put that other larks head knot that I had moved back to where it was originally.
Looks like you got that knot right to lock!! Just a thought - measure your marks from some static reference point to be sure THEY are the same!
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While moving that inward line might do something (and I haven't read much on bridling), if you use the marks on that nose to LE line, you should feel a difference. The secret is learning how that knot locks after adjusting. Forget to lock that knot properly and suddenly that starts moving on its own and you've lost your adjustment. At least the mark is there to give you a reference point. Make sure both sides get adjusted equally.
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I get what you want to do - just not sure it will get there. Yes you buy a walkie talkie, but you really don't need to modify it, just make that caller's circuit. Midland seems to be the best choice, as they have separate channels/outputs/inputs for talk and receive. I use Uniden and can't seem to get that circuit working with them. I think because both functions are on a single plug and not enough separation. Just my thought.
A lot of us have foregone the music function in the circuit and use bluetooth speakers and our phones or Ipods. Mounted on tripods, they can be placed out in front of us for team listening.
As a demo flier, radios are just part of my everyday flying kit anymore. At a festival I'm putting on my radio pretty early and just wear it all day.
It will take someone that knows more than I, to go your route!
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There looks to be a mark on the bridle leg going from nose to outside LE. Move up or down from there. Use it as a centering mark or a reminder of "neutral". Pull that line tight and the pigtail leading to lines should "unlock" to be adjusted. After adjusting, milk the pigtail knot to lock it in. It should be a double larkshead, you have to get the loop part back down to the bottom of the knot to lock it. Otherwise it can still move. Put that leg from the inside back to the other knot.
Best I can give you, more a quad flier these days
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That's a lotta panels!!!
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Dreaming or hallucinating?? Believe THAT when I see it!!! I'm taking a nap while I wait!!! LOL!!
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It's ancient, but it works for what I do most times.
I might try using my son's and see if it opens with his! -
OK - that is 2 different numbers so far, anyone else??
My point is most dual line kites are not much fun to fly over 20-25 mph. Need to be vented to survive. But that venting may make them feel sorta "mushy", and harder to trick. When I flew a lot of dualies, wanted good, but not overpowering winds. Now that I fly the Phoenix quad, my upper range has expanded. With an X/V, 25 mph is no problem, with gusts - easy 35 mph. Hoping on some Mega vents for the team this year, like to see what they will take!
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Top end?
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10 - 15 mph is close to the bottom of it's stated wind range? Probably why you could get away with some of that. You'd be surprised at what you can learn about your kite, flying in the bottom of it's range. You really do have to "feel" it, sometimes coax it. It's not all "yank and spank"!
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40mph??? Time to go get a cold one or a hot cuppa in my book!
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For all the kites: it is all about what you "feel". Long ago I started disregarding the stated wind ranges given by the maker/producer. The question needs to be " Should I fly this in these conditions", not "What does the box say?". It's all a matter of learning your stuff, watching, feeling, knowing. The question I ask is - What is best in these current conditions? I'm not "trapped" by the numbers any longer, but use my best judgement on what is "right". I set up what I think will work, but will change if I guess wrong. That's why most of us carry multiple sails.
When I flew Revs exclusively, I would be one of the first to go to a more vented sail among my team. Now that I fly Phoenixes, I find myself caught in the middle. The Phoenix has a little more venting from std to f/v, it means I can still be on a std when others might go mid. But again - it's all a "feel" thing.
My question would be - OK, the box says X mph. Just because it says I can - Should I?
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Could also be my machine is old and way out of date too. But it works - sorta!!
Pentium laptop, Windows 7, no extras, very basic.
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I'm pretty much in JB's corner here - I'm not so worried about weight as I am kite. To me it is all about what produces the "feel" that I like, not hung up on the weight. My Zen is a veritable tank, weighing in very hefty. My SUL feels like a feather - guess which I want to fly more? The Zen has a bunch more sail area and the frame I'm using is very efficient in using wind.
Gimme the feels!!!
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Newbie Journey, Rev learning tips
in Quad Heads
Posted
Just remember the wind window is shorter, and therefore your reflexes need be faster!
I remember a funny story: It was at Lincoln City years ago and I had a std on 50'x50#. Wind came up some, so I put a mid on. A friend came over and asked what I was doing. I told him I was too lazy to wind up lines and go to another set, so I just swapped sails instead. He gave me a funny look, then asked to try - I still remember him laughing!!!
Personally 50' seems to be my sweet spot in length, still short, but the window is just a touch wider. My Zen loves this length!