makatakam

I would like to fly the Smithi to see how it compares to framed quad-lines. I see in the video that the leading edge and trailing differ. Some designs I have drafted would have the two being identical, with the air intake across the center of the sail. Another design involved an intricate series of flap valves, with intakes on both edges, which would prevent deflation during manouvres, but would also make it prohibitively expensive. I will try to find someone on this side of the Big Pond who can give me a try.

I fiddled around with building my own, a quad-line, delta/flying wing shaped foil. Like most of the others I've seen, it was slow and cumbersome, and tended to collapse suddenly in our twitchy Midwest winds. Any sudden changes in speed and/or direction tend to make a foil turn into a lifeless bag heading earthward. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the challenge and I was flying one of my own creations, but it eventually became obvious that its limitations outweighed the benefits, benefits as in fun as opposed to work, especially in freaky winds. I couldn't fly it often enough because it needed the "right" wind. I watch videos of other quad-line foils, and see that they move very similarly to what I had built. I have nearly given up on the idea of building a "perfectly controllable" quad-line foil because of the difficulty of keeping the sail inflated to an adequate degree of "stiffness" to give the sail enough consistent reaction to inputs, especially sudden stops and reversing direction, punch-pull turns, spins and overall precision.

Congratulations, Morgan. Enjoy -- however, if it doesn't turn out to be exactly right, you can send it to . . . . . . . . .

Get a Revolution quad-line. Zero stand-offs, no worries.

Ok, I'm in.

That's no fun...........just gotta have gadgets ! Kites are my favorite gadgets.

However, it appears that with either of these two meters, if your batteries die you'll have to stop flying and run out to get fresh batteries, or get them out of your bag and install them. While you are doing that I will take over the best part of the field in which you were flying, and not really care much about whether the wind is at 4.7 or 5.1 mph. I guess I like them both! Thank you.

A little late is my reply. Hope you get the chance to read it. Move the point where the flying line attaches to the bridle up towards the top of the kite in 1/2" increments for a kite this size. This will decrease the angle of attack and should help stabilize it. When moving the point left or right to stabilize it, move the attachment point towards the direction the kite wants to turn. In other words, shorten the left side bridle, not the right. Shortening the right side of the bridle will make it want to turn left even more. The left and right side lengths of the bridle line don't have to be equal, they only need to put the attachment point at the aerodynamic center of the sail, not the "true" center.

Hey, John, I've never "tooted" my Rev. Which end do you blow into? If you can get 100 fliers to do it, can you make beautiful music together!?

Prism kites packs a wind meter with some of their higher-end dualies, one came with my Zephyr. Light green graduated plastic tube with a BB-sized bead inside and instructions. Just guessing, but it should be under $20 US. May be available seperately.

I agree with Wayne 100%. I don't like metal near the sail either. Also, the metal washer has no chance of breaking, so upon strong enough impact it will push through the hole in the sail, or rip the entire reinforced section of the tip away from the sail. I have modified two of my Revs drastically to reduce weight, but the sail is the strongest part of the kite. If I "oops" the kite -- and I've done it several times -- something other than the sail gives and I don't need to repair a nasty tear. If you're curious about the mods, go to my gallery photos on the Rev forum.

I flew one at the Frank Mots Festival last year. Fun to fly, likes it slow and easy. Move too fast in lighter wind and the sail collapses. This one was about 5' from stem to stern and pulled pretty good in 4-6mph wind. Completely different beast than the Rev with nowhere near the control or precision.

I wind from the kite end to the handles and leave the handles attached. Takes less than 5 minutes to set up or break down 120' lines, including the kite frame. Develop your own routine and when you are satisfied, don't change. Snagging lines on the winder is more than likely due to uneven lines. Watch the line management vid again, and get all your lines within 1/4" of each other, dead-on is even better. Also makes a difference in the way the kite flies. Breathe, smile and keep on flying.

Check e-Bay. I saw 6 listings, all around $100.00, all new --- nothing used.

Yeah, what rexracer said! Once you have basic control of the kite, you will pretty much impress anyone who doesn't. Don't forget to breathe, and most importantly -- HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!

Hi, Michael. Mark from the dark side of Illinois here. My first Rev was a 1.5 SLE standard sail with 80-foot lines and 13" handles. I have been trying to beat it to death for close to five years now without success. The damn thing just won't die. Buy what you can afford and is appealing to you and fly it. Have fun, and don't forget to breathe. Just do it!

Senility, hmmm, seems to ring a bell......................... if only I could remember. Ok, you're home. Now get out there and fly.

Just think how happy they would be, That darling little suite of three. Flying so high and free with me, Here, just northwest of the Windy City. 978 978 978

I think I'll just buy one. I don't even know my subscriber # yet! OK, I looked. Where can I find it?