Airhead Posted August 13, 2011 Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 Hey all, I first started flying stunt kites in the mid-90s at almost 10 years old (I just turned 21), when my father was at his peak in kite-flying. He owns two kites which I just reminded him about today after years of him not touching them due to time and personal issues. One has a broken spar on the leading edge, the other I'm not sure about. The injuries to the precious UFOs aren't the point. The problem is that he gave me the names of the two kites (after I told him I wanted to take them flying) and I've been searching ALL DAY to figure out who makes these kites and some specifics on them. I've found nothing (absolutely nothing) on these kites. One kite is a "Tracker", the other a "Marlin". Since I haven't been flying in years he's going to let me use the "Tracker" as a trainer kite until I'm comfortable enough flying by myself. The "Marlin" is his pride and joy and he won't let me use it without him there. Before I can use the Tracker, or we both fly together like the good ol' days, I need to get some info on these kites. Can anyone cut the air (HA!) and get me some info on these kites via the internet? Is anyone familiar with these kites? Has anyone flown them? I'm having severe wind withdrawals after seeing someone do some freestyling at a park nearby. I haven't flown in years but I really want to get into flying stunt kites. I love it and miss it immensely, and want to join the stunt kites enthusiasts around the world in flying. I'd like to eventually get, perfect tricks with and teach my father about newer kites and the Revs. But before I can do all that, I need (NEED!) to go flying soon. Very very soon! I'm dying to feel the wind on my back. Help? Someone? ...Please?! What is a "Tracker"? What is a "Marlin"? Are they discontinued models? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted August 13, 2011 Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 Neither kite rings a bell with me, and I started flying in '89!!! More than likely they both have been discontinued! Any good shop should be able to repair the broken parts, those haven't changed that much!! I wonder if these kites are capable of any "tricks"!!! They might be ok to get you flying again, though!! If you like them after flying some, you might look at a reasonably priced intermediate stunter!!! Rob, (Must86), you got anything on them?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Barresi Posted August 13, 2011 Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 Hi Airhead, welcome to the forum - and what a great first post! Now, photos would help us answer your question with greater confidence, but... You mention "Marlin" and "Tracker"... I only know of two kites that match these names somewhat: Merlin - Unusual due to swallow-tail design, and battens running nose to tail, available roughly 1990 to 1992 and designed by Gary Hansen. Tracker - 3/4 size version of the Tracer, by Mike Simmons / Skyward Kites, later produced by Skynasaur. Got any pics of your kites? I'm curious now, I've spent time with both the Merlin and Tracker kites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted August 13, 2011 Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 I think the Tracer was offered through Catch the Wind at one time!!! Don't think they stocked the Tracker though!!! This is definitely before my stroke!!!! But I was on the Catch the Wind mailing list and getting catalogs from them every year!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airhead Posted August 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 Stroke, thanks for your posts. Both kites can do tricks. I was watching videos of recently created freestyling an tricks with kites and my father used to do something like it with his kites. The Marlin is a heavy kite though, if I remember correctly, and has a larger wingspan than the Tracker. As to who sold the kites: he bought the Tracker from a store called Go Fly A Kite in Manhattan (NYC), which closed in 2010. He got the Marlin from the two brothers who used to (still do? I'm not sure) own a shop called Caught in a Tree (out in Long Island, NY). They recommended the kite, which was made for advanced fliers, to him after seeing him fly on Jones Beach. My father used to have amazing skill and when we were in the parks he used to draw crowds. They were right to recommend such an advanced kite to someone like my father. John, thanks so much for those pictures. That Merlin is not the Marlin my father has, but the Tracker does look similar. I will try and convince him to let me take pictures of his kites, but being the hovering helicopter parent of them that he is, and not being knowledgeable of computers, I might need to convince him that I'm not gonna sell them, first. He's more protective of them than he is of me, his only child! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobB Posted August 13, 2011 Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 Stroke, thanks for your posts. Both kites can do tricks. I was watching videos of recently created freestyling an tricks with kites and my father used to do something like it with his kites. The Marlin is a heavy kite though, if I remember correctly, and has a larger wingspan than the Tracker. As to who sold the kites: he bought the Tracker from a store called Go Fly A Kite in Manhattan (NYC), which closed in 2010. He got the Marlin from the two brothers who used to (still do? I'm not sure) own a shop called Caught in a Tree (out in Long Island, NY). They recommended the kite, which was made for advanced fliers, to him after seeing him fly on Jones Beach. My father used to have amazing skill and when we were in the parks he used to draw crowds. They were right to recommend such an advanced kite to someone like my father. John, thanks so much for those pictures. That Merlin is not the Marlin my father has, but the Tracker does look similar. I will try and convince him to let me take pictures of his kites, but being the hovering helicopter parent of them that he is, and not being knowledgeable of computers, I might need to convince him that I'm not gonna sell them, first. He's more protective of them than he is of me, his only child! Hey Airhead... I was going to suggest that the Tracker may be a Skynosaur, but it looks like John beat me to that one. I think I've heard of a kite called the Marlin, but don't know anything about it. One thing I do know is that you listed your location as StonyBrook, only 5 miles from me ! What's up with that ? We'll have to meet up for a fly sometime, there are some decent places to fly around here, and no one flying them. ~Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airhead Posted August 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 Rob, I'm gonna do my best to get pictures of the kites so that I can show people on this forum what they look like. I go to SBU. I was there the day I posted this and was looking at some of the fields. I know Port Jeff is has open spaces too. My only problem is lack of a car, so I'm sort of stuck with the RR. If I can get the rustiness out of my fingers and wrists from 10 years of not flying, and if my father would let me fly his kites without him, I'll be taking the kites out to Stony and flying them in LI. I'll definitely let you know what's going on. Glad to know that there are people who fly in the NYC area. I don't mind being one of the only one's out here, but it's great to know I'm not alone around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobB Posted August 13, 2011 Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 Rob, I'm gonna do my best to get pictures of the kites so that I can show people on this forum what they look like. I go to SBU. I was there the day I posted this and was looking at some of the fields. I know Port Jeff is has open spaces too. My only problem is lack of a car, so I'm sort of stuck with the RR. If I can get the rustiness out of my fingers and wrists from 10 years of not flying, and if my father would let me fly his kites without him, I'll be taking the kites out to Stony and flying them in LI. I'll definitely let you know what's going on. Glad to know that there are people who fly in the NYC area. I don't mind being one of the only one's out here, but it's great to know I'm not alone around here. I have a car and extra kites. Let me know when you're out this way... I usually fly on Sundays in the AM. ~Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Dowler Posted August 13, 2011 Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 Thanks for joining in Rob, I thought you weren't too far from him!!! Airhead - If you can meet up with Rob, he'll help you a bunch!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airhead Posted August 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2011 Rob, we'll definitely talk. Thanks so much. And thanks to you too, stroke, for getting him to post here! John, i spoke to my father and the Tracker is definitely a Skynasaur. Now i just need to find out the spars used for the leading edges and I'm golden. I'm going to start calling kite shops on the East Coast tomorrow. I can't wait to get his kites fixed so he and I can fly together. Thanks for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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