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makatakam

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Everything posted by makatakam

  1. makatakam

    Kite Bag

    Also depends how much you want to spend on it. I have a bag to hold everything that is not a quad -- under $20. The bag that holds my quads -- $200. Depending on needs and preferences you're ANYWHERE in that range as far as cost is concerned. I would recommend something long and cheap to start with until you can see in which direction your kite arsenal is headed, and how and where you might travel with them. Hard cases are an option -- most people will have at least one canvas roll-up.
  2. makatakam

    Low Wind

    The 50# line has less fibers in the weave and therefore less surface to distribute the load. That's why you can feel the "bumps". It will also begin to bind up sooner when you spin the kite in the same direction a few times -- 5, 6, 7 or more. As far as stretch and sensitivity, the comparison to fishing is absolutely valid.
  3. makatakam

    Low Wind

    The differences are there but they are quite small. With more time flying in low wind they will gradually become more noticeable and desirable. You can only take advantage of the difference if you can feel it. That is what makes it difficult to understand until you have maybe a couple hundred hours of flying time. At that that point you'll notice a big difference in some aspects of performance. That's also what makes this hobby so enticing.
  4. Lean it back as much as possible with the tips firmly on the ground.
  5. makatakam

    Low Wind

    Your "rookie mistake" is what many experienced flyers do on purpose for better performance in low wind. Try with and without when the wind is less than four mph to get an idea of the difference it makes. It will have a marked impact with slightly heavy kites -- UL as opposed to SUL -- by allowing the sail to billow a bit differently.
  6. It gets better each time out. Fly when you can, but try to be a bit selective about the wind you fly in. You learn and smile more if the wind is good.
  7. Cool -- happy birthday TK. I thought TK's was in July for some reason. Happy birthday June Babies (JB's?)!
  8. Also, be aware that inland, and especially city wind, really sucks most of the time. When the wind has to go between trees and/or buildings it gets turbulent and does weird directional and speed changes that can drive you nuts. Pretty much exactly what you described. When the wind goes over a building or a tree, it has to travel 8 to 10 times the height of it in the direction it's going before it begins losing that turbulence. It'll cause you grief as you're learning, but eventually you'll learn to cope and even occasionally use it to your advantage. And when you fly in decent wind you'll look like a pro because of your ability to read what the wind is doing. So in fact, flying in crappy wind will make you a better flyer faster.
  9. Happy Birthday -- to you and Luca.
  10. The goose poops? The geese taste great, if properly prepared. That's why goose hunting exists.
  11. Hi, Pete, and welcome to the forum. It's good to have you here. If you can't find the answer, ask. Have fun, smile and don't forget to breathe.
  12. Hi, Spud, and welcome to the forum. It's great to have you on board, and I look forward to perhaps flying with you someday. Any questions about kites can be answered here. Have fun, smile and don't forget to breathe.
  13. I'm guessing that you've taken a look. So much information to assimilate and so much of it that seems contradictory and/or confusing. Keep in mind that every change in every aspect of the bridle changes the effect all other parts of that same bridle will have on performance. That is why you shouldn't make more than one change at a time. Isolating the effect each change will make by itself leads to a better understanding of how all the changes will work together. You can make a change and the next change you make may enhance or nullify the effect of the first one. This problem is compounded with each additional change. If you think of it as moving two or three dots on a straight line and how each move changes the distances among them as you move each towards or away from either end, it may help make some sense of the different bridle types. Don't get too deep into it until you have more experience with what you have now and how each adjustment you can make changes how the kite flies. Less complicated than rocket science -- more complicated than tying your shoelaces.
  14. Sew a Dacron reinforcement patch over an area at least 1/4" beyond the tear.
  15. Tightening and loosening the leach line also affects the performance characteristics of the kite by controlling the billow of the sail. Not enough for the beginner to notice at first, but eventually will make a big difference in the kite's trickability.
  16. That's cruel, John. He'll be there for days! 😂
  17. Yup, same with me. Lots of designs on the computer. Unfortunately, I'll never have the chance to build them. Just want to make some available to anyone who wants them. I don't want anything in exchange. I've actually deleted more than half of what I had originally. You know how you look at something like a year later and say "'What the hell was I thinking?". I've dumped a bunch of those, and a bunch that would be impractical to build.
  18. makatakam

    New Kite

    Just about any kite shop or online retailer of kites and building supplies will have it, in two or three strengths. 150-pound is the most commonly used on stunt kites. It's not expensive and usually available in black, red and white. Some shops will sell it in predetermined lengths, others by the yard in whatever length you desire with a minimum length requirement. Flying Smiles, and KittyHawk Kites, both in NC will probably be able to sell you some.
  19. Foils can also be rolled from trailing edge to leading edge, and even partially into the lines. The wind will push it to roll up. Pulling on the lines will unroll it. Not practical with foils over 2.5 meters or so.
  20. And sometimes you can't move fast enough to keep it stalled. That's how you can tell you need the next level of venting. If you must move backwards to maintain the stall you can use an ultralight in that wind.
  21. You should make it early July and early August. Late sucks. 🤣 The devil makes me do it, honest!
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