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Brilliant to see you guys changing the rules...keep it up!

Not being facetious, but I'm wondering what the objective is?

I can see that it could be cheaper to make and easier to pump up or repair.

Are there any performance targets? I'm thinking that its lightweight and therefore has advantages in very light wind but its not easy enough to relaunch, which would be a big disadvantage in a light wind kite?

What are the selling points going to be?

- el_guestos: Thank you very much.

- Ronnie: Thanks for asking. Before commenting, I'll admit that I googled facetious. Got this:

fa·ce·tious/fəˈsēSHəs/
Adjective:
Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant.
Synonyms:
jocose - humorous - jocular - waggish - comic - funny

Not sure anything here qualifies as a "serious issue", otherwise, its all good.

In response to your questions: Yes, easier to repair is a good thing. "Less prone to fail" was more on my mind as one of my primary objectives.

Performance targets: Fast, range, drift, overall handling for how I like to ride. To keep it real, I was reminded today that its not immediately for everyone. The trim throw is short to keep depower within reach. For riders not accustomed to riding like this, it can be tough to adjust to.

Relaunch has been excellent. Probably even more so in light wind. Two days ago I watched two very experienced riders drift down the coast unable to relaunch in super light wind. While I wasn't out there beside them at the same time, all related experiences (some on the same day) are that the lighter the kite is, the easier it is to relaunch. When I've given other riders (on other kites) a launch on the beach lately, I'm blown away by the effort to even position the kite on its side. Its a very different experience. I think its a rigidity thing too. I don't expect readers to take my word for this. I will work on shooting some more video to illustrate. I didn't include it in earlier videos because I didn't think viewers would find it interesting. But, maybe some quick, 20 second clips won't put everyone to sleep.

Speaking of videos, in followup to the substantial response to the last kite video, a couple days ago I did re-post that video with some voiceover comments. This isn't too informative, but may touch on some of your performance questions. I've been too busy with the gear side, but should take a break to get the GoPro back out to keep sharing the latest.

As for your question on selling points, I dunno. I'm just doing my best to develop stuff I believe in, and hope it sells itself. Guess I'll see how that goes.

Thanks again for your interest.

Thanks for the answers.

Your kite also looks like it could survive waves well and clear water off it that would normally bog down kites by being trapped beside the struts.

I'm very interested in a kite that gets to the lightest possible relaunch wind. At the moment I'm thinking of about 7 or 8 knots although I have seen claims of less for LEI's.

I find when I'm standing in the water, the bottom end for relaunching my 13Xbow is the same wind as when it will sit overhead without working the kite.
I suspect a kite should lift off in the lightest winds if you can get it directly downwind and keep it at the optimum angle of attack as it goes straight up through the window, but it may be that your kite will be best on its side going up off the water from directly downwind? ie. pressure lift instead of airflow lift.

The problem I see with the likes of raceboards is that they can do 2.5 times the windspeed, so 20 knots in 8 knots of wind, so you dont want a board leash on that. However if you are well offshore and drop the kite and find you cant launch it, by that time you are away from the board and being towed downwind maybe getting further from the board. I would prefer to be able to get to the board and if necessary pack down and paddle in on it, so the lower the relaunch wind, the more chance of being able to get back to the board while attached to a downed kite, whether by swimming or relaunching.

I reckon your philosophy is good - design what you want in a kite. Things designed by committees are often a lot worse than a design by an individual.

send me a kite. I'll test it in real world conditions. ( not steady 84 f tropical winds). but radical 55degree north conditions.

i love the idea that Maui is some kind of smooth easy wind paradise, its flat out harsh strong gusty it sure as hell isn't constant.

Finally a kite with the graphical design I really like - thanks for that !!! Please do me a favor and keep it at that.

G

agreed but don't just do white, a lot of our european beaches are muddy sand so it will lok mucky quickly.

Like to see it in waves, looks light and quick, so am presuming works well.

Mike

Hi,

It was asked before, but not answered. What is the board in the picture/video ?

Ronnie - In regards to your comment "Things designed by committees..." From your insight, I'll bet you've got some experience. Thanks for your support!

TomW - I've only been to Sweden once. It was super rad. I'll come ride with you!

James - Really, its not smooth wind paradise? (Joking - unfortunately, you're right.)

Knyfe - Yup. All white is the plan. Has been nicknamed, "cloud".

Mike - I understand. Will offer color options in a year or two when I'm able to expand just a little (no interest in growing too big though).

Direnc - Thanks for asking. Sorry I didn't answer. I don't want to spam this site with too many of my comments. I imagine the board your referring to is something I call, a "paipo". Inspired by the first fin-less, rocker-less surfboards, this is a modern interpretation. Some are referring to this an alaia, but, due to a little shorter length I opted for paipo, kinda that same thing but were more the the bellyboards of its day. Semantics aside, the board pictured has fins and a modified surfboard rocker. Modified because of the flex component unique to its design (made same as a snowboard, not a surfboard).