SHBKF

Spring is here & time for some new lines on a rainy day. Too wet outside to use the driveway for layout so I try to measure 100' lines in a 44' foot room. Rock climbing pulley from caving days is handy. Have to keep the line on the wheel somehow. How about a small combo wrench? Read out shows length. Now repeat three more times. Did it work? Well with some variation. Made the set, but next time? Back to the driveway. SHBKF

Actually I hesitated to even invest in more 50# line. The rough fields commonly available to me are problematic for the light line. 90# seems to be a bit tougher & more snag resistant. The 50# x 100' set decision comes from a recommendation of another flyer. I am trying LPG for this set to see if it performs better than some other brands I've used. After a long time of flying short lines, even down to 18', I now seem to be migrating back toward longer sets. I am even pondering 150' & 200' sets for some of the larger sails. Most of the time my choice of length is dictated by the space available or my mood. I have plenty of line left on my bulk spool so it may be a good idea to consider an 80' set to see if I can tell the difference. Not really trying to fly the Zen in very light wind. Lately I love flying the Sky Burner Pro Dancer SUL in wisps of nothing.

Is 16 pages, 160 posts, the record for a topic on this forum? I was just going to do a little casual review before making a line set from my first purchase of bulk line in many years. There is so much to read here that I set a bookmark to come back later & enjoy it all. In the mean time I will get to work on that quad set I need for my Zen, 50# x 100'. It is a rainy day & a good time to do a few things in the kite shop.

and it continues with power kite packs, stack bags, banner poles, car top carriers, eventually leading to influencing car selection, maybe a trailer or the ultimate, a van.

PM sent. quote from bbailey49 below: "SHBKF, you crack me up!" Kind of the forum equivalent of "DIBS"

I don't own many tricks but I do like to repeat them so the casual observer can perceive they are not mistakes. One of my best kite moments was when a lady asked me if I was finally starting to get the hang of it after I had been repeatedly flying in & out of my favorite beach trash can.

Wow! Know Eye Deer! Maybe I need to fly back into the eighties. I might just fit in after all.

Had a Blast today. Have not learned how to fly it one handed.

If you begin naming your kites, you might be a kite nut. SHBKF

So a little over three weeks ago I was waiting on the vented B. It arrived & already has it's own story to tell. Mentioned the next might be a Pro Dancer SUL & now I just love the one I found which arrived last week. So a day or two later I was thinking, what kite would I really like after the latest arrivals. Next day I called up Kites & Fun Things to see if there were any Solus EC kites left. It's the limited run of kites with Prismatex panels. Marieanne said enough material for five more kites was available. I ordered an ultralight version for my inland mountain conditions, same colors as the promotional video. I must be dreaming. The KiteLife is a good life. Maybe I should look at single line kites next or perhaps a Shook Mesh Rev..... SHBKF update: Looks like another 1.5 SLE Rev headed to the Dark Side of the Blue Ridge too. Rev "Number 13" will be it's name. It will match Number 1 & be the beginning of a stacked set. If you begin naming your kites, you might be a kite nut. http://kitelife.com/forum/topic/6407-you-might-be-a-kite-nut/

Oooo, now that I know it's possible, I almost can feel it coming....

Always carrying some kites with me "just in case". While most of my flying sessions are planned & involve fancy boutique kites these days, a few of my most fun have been serendipitous with my older reliable tougher kites. In my boot today are a Quantum, a Zephyr, a Micron, a Zero G, and the Alien. Also have the Snapshot 1.2 and of course my beloved little 4D. Hmm, all Prism kites & most wind conditions covered. Additionally there are a good selection of line sets, several kites stakes & a long tube tail. That reminds me, I need to throw the 1.5 SLE Rev back in the mix. If I add the Snapshot 2.5 quad set up it will cover the power surges. And all this will fit in the MLD 40" bag too. I'll do that this morning, maybe the wind and a new flier are waiting for me to show up today. SHBKF

Congratulations Rob! I know we will get to see video soon. I flew my similar Shockwave for the first time today & was definitely wishing for higher wind. With variable wind the window was somewhat narrow but a few high gusts had the sail humming. Switched back to the full vent 1.5 B waiting for a better opportunity that Spring will surely bring. By the way, you were also right about the Widow Maker becoming my new friend. Thanks Rob for all your help, encouragement & influence, SHBKF