Clew In wrote:Easy Windrider,
I was out on my 2006 16 Crossbow Sunday and it is still going strong. I have a few stitches here and there on the leading edge and struts and covered some small holes with sail tape. Lines and pulleys look a bit old; however, I am keeping an eye on them.
Also, I was out Saturday on my Waroo 17 2007 in light wind. I got dragged a bit away from my board due the kite not relaunching easily in the light wind. While I was bodydragging back to my board I was thinking to myself the Crossbow seems to launch much easier than this Waroo.
Clew In
I had a 16m Waroo. It was somewhat hard to relaunch in light wind 'cause it was such a big kite. I have recently started flying smaller kites in the same light wind and was surprised to find them just about as strong as the big kites. Also, they re-launch a whole lot easier. Easier to keep them in the air, too, because it takes less wind to keep them aloft. Unless you're a heavyweight, try the smaller kites with a bigger board.
Is it the same technique for re-launching a Crossbow as it is for a Waroo? Basically, you pull on one rear line until it catches the wind, then let it drift over to the edge to get a full shape, and when it starts to get to the edge, you release the rear line pressure and guide it up with the bar giving it plenty of slack?
Is the pre-IDS Crossbow like this? How's the IDS Crossbow?
Sorry, don't mean to hijack this thread. I'll start another on re-launch techniques for different kites....