06 Slingshot 17.5 Machine-Lightwind Boards

Mocean · Since 21 Sep 2005 343 Posts Newport Obsessed

I've got a 2004 Fuel 17, and last year I put a 5th line on it, and it worked great up against my buddy who was on his 05 17.5 Machine. I was on an SRT surfboard so that may have helped, but adding a 5th to an older Fuel 17 is definitely something to consider.

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Oct 25, 06 2:09 pm

Dr. Tony Teabag,
The only reason you got worked on that CB was because i neglected to tell you about the powerlock feature Smile

ooops!! since it was gusting into the upper 30's I did wrap it in duck tape to disable it but I guess it kind of wore through.

The dark side? Pah-lease that debate is soooo 2005. Everyone has there favorites and their is a time and place for everything but bow kites are DOPE!!

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

Onad · Wed Oct 25, 06 3:38 pm **Re: 06 Slingshot 17.5 Machine**

Tony, here are my thoughts on your original questions. (Disclaimer: the opinions and perspectives are from a 200lb plus rider who dislikes being underpowered and desires more than just mowing the lawn on light wind days.)

1. $500 is a pretty good deal for this kite package.

2. The Machine is a great kite! I refer to it as a “Super Octane.” It turns very fast for a big kite. Fast enough to down loop & kite loop. The Machine has incredible wind range due to the cleat-able fifth line. When the wind ramps up and all the sissies go in for a smaller kite, you just cleat in the fifthline and a little de-power and you’re boosting huge.

3. Over-all the Machine is very versatile and you will use it at Sauvies as well as the coast. It does take a little while to get used to flying the Machine by sheeting in & out to activate & deactivate the trailing edge “flaps.” Once you get this figured out, you’ll love the kite. I didn’t like it the first couple of times I flew, but once I figured it out… Oh Yah!!!

I absolutely love this kite and will be keeping mine another season. Thumb's Up

I say, Go for it! As long as you aren’t going to freeze your girlfriend to death this winter with no fuel oil… Wink

Machines are selling for between $425 & $725 on iKitesurf. http://www.ikitesurf.com/buysell/classifieds.pl

~Onad Cool

Machine Manual: http://www.sskiteboarding.com/resource_center/instructions/06_machinemanual_web.pdf

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1873 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

Tony, remember that huge 25.5 machine i had out at Sauvies last spring?
I need to buy that thing back from the guy I sold it to... Shit!

But yeah, I have a 5th line on my 17m fuel, and man....it makes a huge difference....especially with my 06 bar.

I say go for it, they are sweet kites....and if, I mean when, I get my 25.5m machine back from dude...it will be the final resort to de-skunk a session.

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

Onad,

Thanks man....You da man....

I figure buying an '06 17.5 machine w/ 5th line bar, for 500.00, I cann't go wrong...I'm buying it...

But all the sudden, there's a twist....I just called the guy...He's willing to send me an '07 slingshot 5th line bar instead of the '06 bar...It makes no difference to him since the '06 bar has been used less than 6 times...He would be happy to swap it with the '07 bar. I said nice...
But here's the catch...
I'm not an expert so I'm hoping to get some feedback...The '06 bar is a 23" bar....The '07 bar is a 20" bar....
Correct me if I'm wrong:
big bar = big kite
small bar = small kite...
Question is: If I get the machine, should I request the '07 20" bar or should I stay with the standard 23" bar...?
I'm afraid that if I go with the small bar, I might loose some of that fast turning ability...Thats not good since I know I'll loose some juice...
I have seen the '07 bar, pretty sweet. It looks just like the '07 link bar - actually, I think it is the '07 link bar...Main feature being the adjustable stopper ball...Anyways, I need to decide which bar to go with before I send him the payment. Any ideas...?

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Oct 25, 06 9:13 pm

T-bag, get the long bar!! An even longer bar would be better. Like 24 inches.

amery · Since 05 Aug 2005 60 Posts Choad

Who needs heating oil? You got a dog don't you? Maybe he'll be a good boy and leave a steamer on your chest to keep you extra warm! Very Happy

Here's what to expect switching from your old Naish to the Machine:
The Machine works on apparent wind. This means the more board speed you get the better the pull is. (Hence the name, because it generates more pull when up to speed.) You'll find yourself riding your board flatter, faster and more upwind. This efficiency also gives it a heap of range, because when you do stomp your edge, it fly's quickly to the edge of the window. When everyone else is sizing down to 12s you'll still be on the 17.5 easy.

The disclaimer: For light wind, your board is the limiting factor in the equation. If your board isn't big enough to keep you planing through the transition in your powerstroke then your screwed. How big is your board? Did I miss that part?

I'd take the 23" bar since you are thinking of light wind Sauvies. You're good enough and have enough board skill not to feel overpowered on that kite with the limited throw (compared to '07)

My 2 cents. I don't like posting, but for some reason, for you Tony, I did. Something about piss, dog poo and heating oil I guess.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Amery, you're awesome! Very Happy

Ummm yea, I really don't think I could handle that bar, even though I'm sure you need it. Shit, I wanna cut down my 17's... haha! I guess that's my problem though.

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

[quote="amery"]Who needs heating oil? You got a dog don't you? Maybe he'll be a good boy and leave a steamer on your chest to keep you extra warm! Very Happy

Oh Amery, one more thing man...as far as that little present you found on your driver's seat - it wasn't my fault...It was that little man who drives a white van and has 2 little dogs (one white and one black) - I think his last name is Taco-Shima...Well he made me do it...I told him that you were my good friend and that it was not a nice thing to do...He said "bullshit - do it man - do it..."

Anyways, I stll remember when Karma hit Jeff....
Tucker was there and saw the whole thing...Lets just say, I never seen anyone destroy 2 kites in less than an hour Shocked

(@ stevenson)...And they weren't even his kites...one belong to Tucker. (Never seen Tucker so pissed...) And the other belong to Tomas...(Tomas is a champ - he took the pain in strides...)...They were both new kites.
But on the next day, Jeff Tak also pays the price - gets seperated from his kite @ stevenson...
Dude goes up for a jump (unhooked) and accidently pulls his release leash...Kite goes one way, he goes the other...Not good...
By the time he swims back to the launch, his kite (Tomas kite) is almost at the cemetary...So tomas pumps his kite. He launches and both of the ride off into the sunset doing a little brokeback kiteboarding - all the way to the cemetary...Pretty funny shit (the part where is almost takes them 2 hours chasing a kite from the launch to the cemetary...)
So I guess it's always good to be a nice guy, cause Karmas ah biatch...!

scooter · Since 23 Apr 2005 99 Posts hood River

just pm'd you. if you dont go for the o6 i have an 05 for sale that has been used only a couple of times. laters

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Oct 26, 06 12:15 pm

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

Just as an FYI though, let me know when your planning to get some plwood to make a light wind board; i'll go halfsies on it. I was planning to try my hand at the foam and epoxy thang' but after pricing out the cost of foam blanks, fiberglass, epoxy resin, and the time it would take to build a rocker board, and get my vaccum system set up, I could just buy a used factory lightwind board. The material for boards is PRICEY!![/quote]

Foam Blanks, fiberglass, vacuum system + my time.....Dude, I was thinking more about getting a 1/2" piece of plywood out of the recycling bin at Home depot.... Wink

Bolt down some old straps and batta-bing batta-boom...
Foam..? shit the only foam I know about is the foam I see in my pint of beer - cause the bar tender is new and just learning to serve... Mad

When I mean cheap, I'm talking about nickles and dimes - dirt cheap... Laughing

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

I still wanna build a lightwind board too, especially since I hate flying anything bigger than my 11. Gotta find some 1/4-3/8" Marine Grade ply though. We're gonna keep this bitch as light as possible! Wink