The Carafino is like gliding across perfectly soft, deep powder snow!!

Even riding on the surface the Carafino is quite smooth compared to a “normalâ€Â

By the way, ALL of my above comments apply equally to KITEBOARDERS trying to get along with other kiteboarders. In other words KITEBOARDERS need to be careful not to overtake downwind of other kiteboarders, or jibe into their path (current or potential).

"Damkiter" wrote: ... passing a kiter who is doing jumps and spins from down wind and behind is risky (make some noise). We always try to look but a fast moving windsurfer can sneak up on us as we are about to jump. VERY well said. Keep in mind that while the kiter may not be "doing jumps", at the ...

I've been riding with a "free" bar (like an unhooked UDS) for a couple years now & agree that it's better, especially in gusts, strong, or light winds (relative to the kite size). I recently tested a "classic" sliding bar with my own familiar kite, & felt that it really hindered performance & "feel"...

"theflyingtinman" wrote:
...on my G-18. I have no trouble holding onto it in winds tha topped 24mph ... (I'm 210lb)

That corresponds very closely to my interactive chart (mentioned above), which shows your top end at 210lb should be around 27mph (comfortable up to around 23mph).

Thank YOU for the suggestions. I hope somebody can get some photos up which include your suggested mods.

"tomtom" wrote
... oceanrodeo.com ... will make spinning Punch out this year

Are you sure? I spoke with them last week & they never mentioned it. All they said was that the new system has an added part to eliminate accidental release, & that there will be a retro-fit kit to upgrade older bars.

"Mr Jo Macdonald" wrote: If your bar is the one in Kitedudes pic before Mel's mods that leader didn't look anything near long enough to flag the kite and if the flying line was knoted onto it the knot can stop at the bar and the kite will go mad. Yes, that is VERY true: IF you have a knot in the to...

"Mr Jo Macdonald" ...the original system has the leader way too short to depower a kite. No. The bar slides up the short leader, easily sliding past the "loop-to-loop" lark's-head of the leader/line connection (no knots), & continues sliding up the flying line. If clipping the leash straight to you...

"Mr Jo Macdonald" wrote ... Trigger Snap Shackles (murrays #27-136800) ... are almost impossible to release under serious traction...the leash not working and the kite death spiralling and dragging him, could you please tell me how is he supposed to release the leash and kite if it ever happens aga...