looking like there will be enough for some foil rides this evening
Mike B, Mike W?
I guess it now looks like tomorrow (wed) evening
late eveing session at ramsey?
Moderator: MK
Ozone
Finally saw the light, hey doc? Any real snowboarder with true mountain skills would prefer a foil over a superelastic bubbleplastic. What does Chasta fly? Duh............ I just got done with a session on snoqualmie pass. I work construction in Seattle. Would never wan't to frack up my body , or my bladder kite, even if they were free......
Ok, you guys have me curious. What is draw to foils if you're also a summer kiter? Obviously having two quivers isn't cheap so there must be some significant advantage. I haven't flown the higher end foils in awhile and just want to be able to advise students correctly. Is the performance the same or better? In the past, foils never had the same pop, nor the same turning speed as an inflatable. They also didn't have the range of the newer bows. Have they improved on these?
Would love to get some experience with the Ozones since they seem to be leading the pack in terms of foil development.
Would love to get some experience with the Ozones since they seem to be leading the pack in terms of foil development.
Tighe
I would take issue with the claim that Ozones are leading the pack even though they make a nice kite. The Flysurfers are the most innovative foils I have seen or tried. They have similar range and flight performance compared to bows. They are pricey though. Many use them on water with great success. The recent hangtime contest in Germany was won by a Speed 2.
My own view is that an investment in some good used foils is worth it for winter, especially for lighter winds. Pumping up a big kite and fooling around with the lines, especially in icey conditions if for the birds. Nothing like rolling out the kite and going. Foils are tough to damge too. They hold their resale value better than any inflatable. There might be a bit of sacrifice in performance, but it is worth it in my book.
I would not spend 1K or more on a kite just for winter, but good used foils can be acquired for reasonable prices. If a guy takes care of them, they cost very little to fly for a season or two.
My own view is that an investment in some good used foils is worth it for winter, especially for lighter winds. Pumping up a big kite and fooling around with the lines, especially in icey conditions if for the birds. Nothing like rolling out the kite and going. Foils are tough to damge too. They hold their resale value better than any inflatable. There might be a bit of sacrifice in performance, but it is worth it in my book.
I would not spend 1K or more on a kite just for winter, but good used foils can be acquired for reasonable prices. If a guy takes care of them, they cost very little to fly for a season or two.
Last edited by Mike W on Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
LONG LASTING
I think my waroos are lasting longer than the ones that are used in winter.
I also like the challenge of the transition period, its like getting a whole new quiver twice a year. I'm hoping I can beat the sand out of my w-12 on Milly today and put it away 'til spring. Sorry I missed the night session
and seeing Mike B's illuminated kite. I'm guessing candles would be a BAD call. How about sparklers?
JRN P.S: I know:BOTTLE ROCKETS!!!
I also like the challenge of the transition period, its like getting a whole new quiver twice a year. I'm hoping I can beat the sand out of my w-12 on Milly today and put it away 'til spring. Sorry I missed the night session
and seeing Mike B's illuminated kite. I'm guessing candles would be a BAD call. How about sparklers?
JRN P.S: I know:BOTTLE ROCKETS!!!
Last edited by JRN on Thu Dec 20, 2007 5:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The lights I used on my kite are LED pet lights made for dog collars. They are small, light weight, and have 4 blinking red LED lights on each ball. They have a little clip that I attach to the bridel lines (or pigtail) just below the wing tip of the kite. They work great - and look cool. I found them at the ACE Hardware store in downtown White Bear Lake. You can fid them in the pet department for about $4.50 each.
It was a fun night at the Bear! Can't wait to do it again with a big group at night. When we get enough ice to drive out on the lake, we should have a big night-kite party with a fire on the ice. I can see it now - like moths to a flame - jumping the fire for a good photo-op.
I'm off to New Mexico for a week. I hope to find some new kite spots and hit the Sanatarium kite park at Dillon on the way through.
Happy Holidays
It was a fun night at the Bear! Can't wait to do it again with a big group at night. When we get enough ice to drive out on the lake, we should have a big night-kite party with a fire on the ice. I can see it now - like moths to a flame - jumping the fire for a good photo-op.
I'm off to New Mexico for a week. I hope to find some new kite spots and hit the Sanatarium kite park at Dillon on the way through.
Happy Holidays
Yeah those were really really cool Mike.
Thanks Kurt for the demo of the Manta. Definitely a smooth kite.
Interesting. There was everything from a 17 Foil down to a 9m Inflatable up last night and we were all about equally powered. I saw some of you guys getting some air on the big foils though, which was really tricky with my 9m.
Small kite, less wind "caught", less drag, less wt, easier to generate wind (apparent)
Big kite, more wind "caught", more drag, more wt, slower at generating wind (apparent)
the exception was Dave Z on his 16m Xbow Gen. 1, 16m. Super slippery (low drag), lighter wt, and big surface... They had a good one there. Oh yeah and Dave you're what 150#s fully clothed?
It's just incredible how much fun can be had in such low winds.
Thanks Kurt for the demo of the Manta. Definitely a smooth kite.
Interesting. There was everything from a 17 Foil down to a 9m Inflatable up last night and we were all about equally powered. I saw some of you guys getting some air on the big foils though, which was really tricky with my 9m.
Small kite, less wind "caught", less drag, less wt, easier to generate wind (apparent)
Big kite, more wind "caught", more drag, more wt, slower at generating wind (apparent)
the exception was Dave Z on his 16m Xbow Gen. 1, 16m. Super slippery (low drag), lighter wt, and big surface... They had a good one there. Oh yeah and Dave you're what 150#s fully clothed?
It's just incredible how much fun can be had in such low winds.
Tighe
Uh yeah, when I say I got a great session in 7-10 mph I should probably mention I weigh 150 clothed 
That 16 is incredible - I can get some really nice boosts in 10-12 winds on snow. I keep hearing how the 08 Contra 14 is up to snuff but will have a hard time believing it until I try one.
Gonna go get some pet lights tonight!
That 16 is incredible - I can get some really nice boosts in 10-12 winds on snow. I keep hearing how the 08 Contra 14 is up to snuff but will have a hard time believing it until I try one.Gonna go get some pet lights tonight!