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I was out with Tighe on Friday at Waconia for a 1:1 water lesson (very, very helpful... highly recommended! ...especially the jet ski and radio support... thx Tighe ... sorry for all the crashes with your kite ).
The wind was light (12-14mph?) and I had a very hard time relaunching my new 13m Bularoo (I weigh 160 lbs). It did not seem to want to swing around and pick up its edge to launch. Once in the air the rear lines were very slack (the depower strap was set for max power). Is there something I'm missing on trimming the kite or is there something I should check on my kite lines. I was getting pretty tired and cold waiting for it to relaunch.
Well... we then switched over to Tighe's Slingshot 14m TD2 and everything got easy. I could relaunch the TD2 LE up/down and felt equal tension in both the front/back lines when the kite was flying. I was able to get some of my first rides in....I don't think that would have happened with my Bularoo that day.
Does anyone know what the problem might be with relaunching and trimming the Bularoo?
the TD2 relaunches like nothing I've ever seen. In light wind my waroos require some coaxing. Same principle: make sure the bar is all the way pushed out, and yank on one rear line for a while. But hte td2 is exceptional.
Good luck.
"They call me Doctor Love.. Doctor love!!" - an obscure rock band.
Do you have the rear lines on the 3rd knot from the end? If (K)not it'll make a world of difference. You can launch in lt. winds by using c-kite technique: pull on the front lines and charge the kite. It should roll over tips up, pull on a rear line and launch. You may have to pull on the nearest tip rear line to position the kite across the wind, then the other tip to go. You can also alternatively pull hard on each side (nose down) and rock it back and forth 'til it pops up on one tip. Hope that makes it easier!
You may also want to read the BEST forum for more tips. JRN
Sounds like you don't have enough tension on the stearing lines. Hook all the line ends onto a fixed point and pull on the bar. The lines should all be the same length when the depower strap is set to max power, and the bar is tight to the chicken loop. All the lines should have the same tension.
In lighter winds you should set up the kite with the stearing lines on the fourth or fifth knots from the end. Best gives alot of depower potential on the kite as well, so don't be afraid to tighten up those stearing lines. This should also help with the relaunch, but nothing will relaunch like a true bow with all those pullies.
Check the line lenghts first, then try setting up the kite with shorter stearing lines for light wind. I'm sure the kite will be great at relaunch when the wind picks up, but that's true of any kite.
Have fun with the bully, I liked it when I tried it in montana this winter.
This is helpful advice for me as well. I did recommend that he set it up on the fourth knot since the wind was so light. I just wasn't sure about the techniques you guys use for light winds. It's good to know that the swim-your-butt-off-toward-the-kite technique that we all did for so long still works on these new kites. I thought about trying that but we didn't do it.
Since the kite is near new, I'd be surprised if his rear lines were stretched but maybe. That was good suggestion to check that. If that is the case Bill, you can just add an extra pigtail to the front lines to equal them out. I have some extra if you need them.
Looked like a really nice kite otherwise. The integrated one pump is pretty slick. Construction looked pretty robust.
I always hook up my Best kites on the 3 knot Let the bar all the way out and pull one of the out side lines, if it won't roll over in 30 seconds or less I am assured of a bad session for the wind is too light. I run my stearing lines very slack.
I had a TD1 and relaunch was very fast even in very light winds, yet once it was up still not enough wind power for fun.
Unfortunately the waroos and bularoo do not launch with the ease of a true bow kite. Unless a good breeze is present, I usually launch in the C mode fashion as described above (if not assist launching). 12-14 for the 13 bularoo should be enough. Sometimes you really have to choke up on the steering lines when you pull.
I think the 2006 roos actually launched easier-though I can't reason why.
I was on a LF 19 last Friday and man did that kite launch with ease. I didn't have enough wind to power up and ride but the kite would still turn over and launch effortlessly. Kudos to LF
Bill, I'm still willing to hook up with you but my sessions lately have short and hit or miss. Sorry.
I do encourage consideration and testing other kites as there is many good options to be had. That being said, do not have a knee jerk reaction and sell your bularoo as suggested. I'm confident, once you get dialed, you will be pleased. As mentioned I am happy to try and help you get dialed.
Last edited by drknap on Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
Thanks for the help!
I'm getting some bar line measurements from the shop (Emerald Coast)
They say they're teaching their classes with Waroos/Bularoos and haven't seen this problem. But the general concensus from the internet appears that this might be a harder kite to relaunch in light winds. The rear knot position does seem to be critical.
Kurt... Thanks...I definitely would like to hook up with you and let you check out the kite and setup. Let me know when you have some time... I'm real close to WBL.
I'll keep banging away...but The TD2s do look good.
the comment to sell the bularo was mostly in fun to pick on best a little. i actually think he should do as suggested. try to work with the kite. then if it still doesn't fit the bill...try other kites that might perform better for him.
good luck bill.
bob
bob
kiteridersllc.com
madtown, wi. usa
planet earth.
I was out with Tighe for a 1:1 Friday morning before you, and I have to concur that the jet ski and radio set up is great. It gave me the confidence to let it rip, knowing if I ended up crashed out in the middle of the lake (I did), Tighe would be there to get me up and rocking again. I enjoyed flying the T2 as well - very easy to launch and fly. After a year of introductory lessons from Nate and Matt, watching videos, hit and miss tries, and a winter of snow kiting, I finally got up and going on the water. I have to say it is one of the most exhilarating experiences I have ever had. I told my family that if I died today, I would die a happy man.
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