Advice on moving from bow to C-kite

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1872 Posts XTreme Poster

Let's not judge a rider by the shape of their kite, but by the color of their shorts

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

what was I thinking?
posting a picture

Sorry!

They were 5-9s

And I like Cs. Not big ones. little ones.
tip battens yes; lower CG. better float,
hang with little line tension. must be
able to be flown and turned with one
hand centered on bar with minimal
effort. pulley bar w/abec5 bearing.

bows and sles even C's with big tips
are highly back stall prone. That don't
cut it unhooked and one handed and
getting ready to bottom turn towards
the kite. It should want to come up
with a flick to one side or the other.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

How big is that thing, Hein?

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

I think I need the Hein starter pack... I already got the board, just need 19m lines, couple small C kites, and a pulley bar.

Seriously, its tempting.

But I probably wouldn't get rid of my current gear, then I'd be back in the mode of carrying multiple kites to the beach.

DaveB · Since 05 Aug 2007 14 Posts New Member

that was a rad looking board Hein. was it truly balsa all the way through?

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

Who's Hein? Shocked

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

He's the guy you've given a ride from Sunset Beach to Lot B if you're ever been out there. Years of doing downwinders have given him the uncanny skill of showing up at Sunset right as you're setting up a shuttle Shocked

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 491 Posts Obsessed

hein, maybe you can import some airush generators to spread the gospel.

coastercoe · Since 28 Mar 2005 35 Posts redmond

Sounds like that old pully bar in the closet may get a new life....

JUMPIN JIMI · Since 11 Nov 2006 123 Posts Stoked

DUDE FORGET THE C KITES AND SLE Exclamation

I THINK YOU SHOULD TRY WINDSURFING Very Happy

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

I learned on C-kites and it was tough.

The depower of an SLE/Bow/Flat kite is really comforting for me. I have no interest in the unrelenting kick your ass power of a C-kite.

I'm doing things hooked in all the time. I don't unhook at all from my kite.

I'm doing back loops, front loops, big air etc.. THE SLE made it happen for me. I would have never been doing tricks with old C-kite stuff because I LOVE the depower!!!!!

I could give crap about the maker of my kite. I'm a kiting fanatic and at this point I would tape a 1 mm trashbag to two lines attached to a broken broom handle and go for it, but FLAT Kites are fun!!

I like my new kites,

Very Happy

jcohenx · Since 28 Aug 2007 250 Posts Portland Obsessed

Thanks again for all the comments. There's one question that nobody's answered yet. How tough are C-kites relative to bows? Not tough in terms of learning curve but just physically tough. Do C's last as long as SLE's (all other things being equal of course)?

thanks,

jc

Sol-flyer · Fri Sep 28, 07 6:43 am

there made of the same materials, toughness is from thing's like re-enforced stitching....IMO
i dont know if bridles can rip the material, but when a 5th line kite gets inverted it will wrap around the canopy, and can rip it.

i tell ya whats hard, trying to ride an SLE after being on a C. i'm not concerned with range, its the non-stop power that i like. Wink

Phsycotic Marionette · Since 20 Jul 2007 1 Posts Pacific NW New Member

JC,

Been riding both types for the last two seasons and find that I have more wear and tear issues with the SLE kites. Center lines through the bar and seam problems in general.

jcohenx · Since 28 Aug 2007 250 Posts Portland Obsessed

Hi PM;

I'm confused. Do you run a 5th line on a bow?

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

Go to anyplace in the world and look and count the ratio of c kites to flat.

If you want to learn fast and do tricks go with a slingshot td II flat kite.

All the guys flying C's are doing it because that is how they learned. Hein is a bad ass kiter for sure. Yea he's crazy, but show me a kiter who isn't and I'll kite in a speedo.

Flat kites are the way to go.

Sol-flyer · Since 21 Mar 2006 1280 Posts Dude, where's my Bus? Otto Mann