its... .ALIVE

Bryce · Post by **Bryce** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:57 pm

I don't know how many of you guys saw my kite blow two panels in south padre... Ripped from leading edge to the trailing edge. I just borrowed some good thread from my brother. The worest part was that I had to undo the leading edge seam on one side to attach a new piece on. Then taping and sewing. Managed to take it out today after work in some 10mph wind....

Flew like a champ! It was realllly nice to get out in the great snow. The snow just feels awesome right now. See you all out there!!!

P R Key · Post by **P R Key** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 8:08 pm

Nice work.. That was a hell of a blow out. Glad to hear that you were able to bring it back to life! Now I know where I can go when I tear one of my kites

Nancy · Post by **Nancy** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 4:22 pm

Bryce, was that your 12 again?

Bryce · Post by **Bryce** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 5:07 pm

yes.. yes it was... It looks a little like Frankenstein now. I think part of the problem is that kite was/is my bread and butter kite and it has seen a lot of sun. I think the fabric is beginning to get a little weak.

But it seems to fly great again!

JRN · Post by **JRN** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 6:13 pm

Bryce: Saw your kitemare @ SPI. Have you put the stopper knots on the front bridle of your W-7? I've found they help as well as pumping the LE rock hard. Look at the Best forum to get the dimensions for the knot placement. I had a leak in my LE and it got squirrely when the pressure dropped. I may have written the measurements down somewhere if they're not on the Best Site. Give it a shot, I think you'll like the results!
Buena Suerte, Jim N.

Eric P · Post by **Eric P** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:25 pm

Good job Bryce, but at some point you will probably have to replace that kite. Before kites were always traded in because the newer models were so much better. Now that the revisions are becoming more and more refined and the "old stuff" still works great, were seeing the life span of a kite more.

I'm sure you have probably 300 to 400 hours on that kite. I think that with the lite material they are made of, and the way they get bombarded with UV rays all day at the beach, it's a wonder they last as long as they do. I know my Vegas is getting tired. It's lost a lot of the pop it used to have.

Anyway, just my two cents. The newer kites have that something that is worth the price.

Bryce · Post by **Bryce** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:15 pm

Hey Jim,
I'll have to look into the stopper knots on the waroo.. I definently don't like the way it flys when I get to upper end of its wind range.

Eric, Your right... I have felt that the crossbow is reaching the end of its life. I have been looking at the newer kites. I've been trying to demo different kites to see what feels the best. But.. in the meantime I've wanted to squeak a few sessions more out of my crossbow. And! I get to work on my sewing skills!

Actually I think all the newer kites are crap...

I'm going back to old school!

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:40 pm

Bryce. I have a 13m Ozone Sport I want to sell, it's only been used 3 time so mint condition.
Drop me an e mail if you'd like to try it.

Josh J · Post by **Josh J** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:29 am

Ha ha I remember that kite. That picture was just before you were dragged across the lake, 50% underwater and 50% over the water then right into a beach embankment. Didn't you take out a guys fence? Ahh the good ol' days.

Mike W · Post by **Mike W** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:10 am

Bryce, I am with you. For old school riding, there has not been much improvement over the original Crossbow.

Dave Z · Post by **Dave Z** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:26 am

Ah, the Franken-Kite. Bryce, you should post some pics. I'm probably going the same route since I've got 9/12/16 Crossbows and really like them.

LAKAWA

its... .ALIVE

its... .ALIVE

Waroo 7