If I was buying a kite solely for land use I would go for the chrono, but I'm concerned that it will be too hard to relaunch, and will probably bow tie when crashed, and I do still ditch my 13 occasionally, so I'm pretty sure it will get ditched on the odd occasion.

I'm looking for an 8knt kite, as here in Cornwall we have lots of summer days and evenings with nice light breezes. Up till now I've been a landboarder flying foils, but have recently got on the water and can ride nicely from 12knts with my Flexifoil Shiva 13m. So I'm tempted by some of the big foil...

I only ever hot launch under 10mph. Side launching any kite is just so much quicker, as you only need 4 or 5 handfuls of sand compared to God knows how many along the trailing edge of a 15m kite. Plus it's so much safer. With the kite folded in half I sand the upwind tip, kneel on that then hold the...

I've always thought that inflateable foils should have Arc style inflation zips nr each wing tip, so the whole kite can be pre inflated then side launched with ease.

I've been flying HQ Matrixx for 3 yrs and never had an issue with wing tips folding or any stability issues. I've never had one fall out of the sky, they just drift back very nicely. Would love to try the 18 but no dealers in the UK are stocking them.

jaystore wrote:Self made equipment is a half-solution and normally looks unprofessional

But if done properly, works just as well and doesn't cost a frigging fortune like most kite gear does these days.

Where are the pics please?

Given the same thickness core of bamboo and paulownia, which is lightest, and which has more flex?
Also, is balsa suitable as a core material, or is it just not strong enough.

Yeah, not exactly ground breaking.
Deck looks like the Ground Industries flight light, which must be knocking on ten years old.

At last, somewhere to buy good wood.
I might give them a try.