What am I doing wrong?

Vis · Post by **Vis** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 5:28 pm

WildBill and I have been out the last two days and I encountered the same thing on both days. I am flying a 2004 12M Frenzy and with the kite de-powered (bar is pushed away from me) The outside tips of the kite tend to fold in. When I am flying fully powered (bar pulled towards me) the tips will inflate. I am hooked in and have the center lines pulled tight to the cleat. I would like to be able to fly the kite depowered without the tips collapsing like my 8M access. Is this normal?

ice_kmauve · Post by **ice_kmauve** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:09 pm

That's just foils for you, and there ain't no cure.

WildBill · Post by **WildBill** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:14 pm

I disagree, though I'm a prefered foil guy in the winter. I don't seem to find that on the Ranger or '08 Manta on any consistent basis. Just happens once in awhile on a gust whether I have the bar in or not. Maybe SteveB can figure it out.

Denis · Post by **Denis** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 10:01 pm

My 2004 7.5m Frenzy used to do the same thing. I think it's because I was flying it too far out of the wind window. You have your front lines pulled in all the way and your bar pushed out. That sounds like you have your kite at the limit of the window too. I would give the front lines a little more length (maybe by letting out half of the line in the cleat) to have the kite sit further in the window and get enough wind to maintain the structure. Your kite will also have more power in this configuration.

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 10:04 pm

Well it's certainly not todays foils, but unfortunately it was a trait of the 04 and 05 Ozone models. Basically what's happening is when you sheet the center line full on and push the bar out the , I'm trying to think how to explain this, the air flow over the top of the kite accelerated so much it created too much of a low preassure on the underside of the kite which basicaly sucks the wing tips down.
In 06 Ozone fixed it, many other brands of foils still do it.
I always just used it as an indicator the kite was getting overpowered and thought of it as an auto depower. Just be ready when the gust goes by to pull the bar in and let the air flow reattach normally.
Don't sweat it. if your wing tips collapse go for a jump, it slows everything down enough for the air to reattach.

Vis · Post by **Vis** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:55 am

I seem to be having the problem at lower speeds. I was researching other sites and they talked about tying knots and trying different knot settings. Has anyone around here tried this? Better yet, Christian did you seem to have tip collapsing problems? You have more hours on this kite then me and are way more experienced. Is it a symptom of the kite or is it me?

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:39 am

Vis. Let's try to get together when you're going out and see if we can figure out the problem, it shouldn't happen in low winds.
My cells 715 781 2474

Vis · Post by **Vis** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:51 am

Sounds good Steve. Are you going to be at the Kite Rally at Swede on Saturday?

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 1:40 pm

Vis I will be there Sunday.