RobB

Gig, I'm surprised the NYPD still lets people fly there. I have actually seen a kite go down on the Belt and get run over by traffic. I hadn't seen any kites there recently, and figured they had banned kite flying like the spot over by the Verrazano. This is one of my favorite 'no kites' pictures.... notice the telltale ribbon tied to it. It was taken further in on the Belt, by the Verrazano.

There's probably a reason they call it the 'Zen'. That's the word I use to describe any light wind flying.

IDK, Nick, you might be in luck... with the 'Polar Vortex' coming back, that might be enough to flip the normal wind conditions for this time of year ! Of course, I'm looking at a nice 5-10mph onshore breeze this morning... from my window at work.

Well, you're probably right about the textbook science of what causes the wind. The area Nick is describing and where I live are similar land masses, on the coast, and we were just describing the actual observations in those areas. Whether it agrees with the textbook information available... well, I guess it doesn't. BTW, we haven't had a day yet in the last month that there wasn't an offshore breeze in the afternoon. I know, because that's when I'm looking to fly. Not the best wind to fly in, but better than nothing !

Wow, that's huge ! I can't wait to see some pictures of it ! My DC is 12' across, and it certainly does pull. I use 500# line on mine...

I find that NOAA nails the forecast for us, probably better than 80% of the time. Wind speed & direction forecast is very good, too. http://www.weather.gov/ Just put in your ZIP code... I'd be interested to hear how well NOAA does in other parts of the country.

Well, it probably works different here on the island, as we have 2 separate bodies of water and only a little land separating them. I guess it's a more complex dynamic, and my previous statement is only derived from local observation. So... what Bob said is probably more accurate at most shore locations.

The Climax lines that Hadge mentions are great lines to get a hold of. They are just as slick as Skybond, but they aren't as springy. My old Climax lines are faded from the sun, fuzzy from wear, but can still wrap 10-15 times before I feel much binding. When they were new, I wrapped them 25+ times before they started to get sticky. I don't know if anyone sells them in the US, but shipping from Europe isn't that expensive for a lineset.

On the coast, wind direction is away from where the heat is. During the day, the land heats up from the sun, and the wind heads off shore towards the cooler air over the water. It works in reverse when the water is warmer than the land. This is true when the air is otherwise still... if there's a storm brewing, the wind heads towards the center of the low pressure area.

I am so happy to hear of someone who got out with good wind today. I am seriously jonesin' for a good flying session, it's not even funny ! Not to mention meeting up with another flyer.... good on you, Bob !

A vented kite is good for winds up to 15mph. After that, it's 4 line time ! I always liked the looks of the SF vented. If it's a good price, jump on it... another kite is ALWAYS a good idea !

Wow, I am surprised. Rob is a wealth of information, but I guess more in the SLK department. The only comment I would have about those kites is that they look like TOTL Spinoffs, but 3/4 size. I am sure they're loud when you fly them !

Rob @ Windswept kites would know something about them if they came from Newport. He used to run a kite store there.

'Fuel for the Fire'... ABS quad. No sticks required.

I find the Skybond better for quad line flying than duals. You can feel the springiness in the yellow lines when you're flying a dual, due to sharper inputs. My last set of Laser Pro lasted a few years, but it was really fuzzy and not too slippery when I retired them. Never had a break with Laser Pro, and the Skybonds broke within a few flights of new. Well, they were 120s when they were new, now they're 75's. Maybe the 90# line was a little light for a big kite like the Solus, but that's what was recommended by the shop that I bought both from.

Congratulations, Ralph ! What a retirement present... I guess that adds to your 'kite count'... do you count them as 1 kite or 3 ?

Those flat wrap winder handles really aren't that good, as it is critical that your lines be evenly matched. You just get as many wrist straps as you have linesets, the wrist straps are cheap, at least compared to the lines. The lines that come with the Quantum are 85', I believe, and should be fine in most situations for that kite. 50' lines might help you fly it in a lighter wind, but the Quantum isn't really going to fly very well in winds under 5 mph, no matter what you do. Like the Nexus, it's a heavy, durable kite.

just simply flying it does it justice. Kites are meant to be flown.... 8)

I wondered how long it would take you to pick up on that video... pretty impressive. I've been thinking about a Zen, but seeing this video has me scratching my head. Something different ? Better looking ? It would make me happy if I could fly it half that good !

This is a drawing that I've had my eye on... c'mon home to the East Coast... lotsa wind here !

Yeah, that's the store that introduced me to 'real' kites... and has kept me hooked for the last... oh, let's just say a long time !

Do they still make that hand cleaner called 'Goop' ? I remember that was useful for safely cleaning nasty dirt off of all kinds of things.

Wow, Paul... that's the exact opposite of my kite flying... I try to find the place with the least amount of people ! With summer coming into full swing, the beaches are filling up, and the only thing I can fly is a quad on short lines. People up here aren't as easily entertained by kite flying, and antics like that could easily end up in a fight. Once July hits, I'll be headed inland to a grassy hill that is totally void of people. I can't wait until the day after Labor Day, the beaches will be mine again !

It won't be long before I get a second Tilley. I keep mine in the car, and wear my old Columbia when doing yard work. The Columbia just isn't the same !

I see snow in some of those pictures ! Hope you are enjoying Steamboat, used to be one of our favorite ski destinations before we found Telluride !