I am new to flying on frozen lakes. I have read more than a few threads on here about ice damaging LEIs. Is this also a concern with foils? Anyone have any advice so I dont tear up my foils?
Heres looking forward to KITEFREEZE!!!!!
See ya all there!!
Sean Jones
sean.jones@charter.net
ice damaging kites?
Moderator: MK
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Jonesing4Wind
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2003 12:20 pm
- Location: Eau Claire, WI
ice damaging kites?
Sean Jones
Eau Claire, WI
Razors and PLComp
Eau Claire, WI
Razors and PLComp
This is my third season on foils. They are very durable.
In my first season I only had one kite and I tried to fly it in all conditions. I crashed it a lot. The bridle line surface became "fuzzy" by spring from sliding around on the abrasive ice surface after crashes. The bridle line on that kite (a Peter Lynn foil) was not dacron wrapped like most newer kites (like the Flexifoil Blades I have now) which is much more durable. The rip-stop kite fabric seems to take the abrasion very much in stride. Some of the stiitching on the canopy showed a small amount of wear too.
The main thing I try to pay attention to is the obvious... if your kite is down and you can see that the kite or any of the lines are caught on a bit of rough ice be cautious about YANKing it free (Duh). You may need to anchor your bar and free it by hand before continuing.
In my first season I only had one kite and I tried to fly it in all conditions. I crashed it a lot. The bridle line surface became "fuzzy" by spring from sliding around on the abrasive ice surface after crashes. The bridle line on that kite (a Peter Lynn foil) was not dacron wrapped like most newer kites (like the Flexifoil Blades I have now) which is much more durable. The rip-stop kite fabric seems to take the abrasion very much in stride. Some of the stiitching on the canopy showed a small amount of wear too.
The main thing I try to pay attention to is the obvious... if your kite is down and you can see that the kite or any of the lines are caught on a bit of rough ice be cautious about YANKing it free (Duh). You may need to anchor your bar and free it by hand before continuing.