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DIY 7m foil kite

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kitexpert
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DIY 7m foil kite

Postby kitexpert » Mon Sep 25, 2017 1:08 am

A picture of the kite I mentioned here earlier. First test flights were quite promising, stability was good and power typical to race kite. Kite flies so far in the window it hurts neck to watch it in the zenith 8)

I tried to get smooth LE and TE areas, which I think is somehow achieved. It is not perfect but with limited resources (and motivation) it is ok. To get it better it would need some work with panel shapes (fine tuning skin tension etc.). Meaning sewing some more kites :roll:

AR is 6.3, area 7 sqm and cell count is relatively low 37. By todays standards not race kite specs, but I had to limit the amount of the work. Kite is fully supported with D-ribs and spanwise straps. Miniribs at the TE are longer than usually, same for the LE stiffeners. These all make bar feel more precise than with foil kites usually. Wingtips are solid, there is more stable airfoil than in the center. Airfoil is morphed through the kite, both thickness and camber, also camber location.

Image

kitexpert
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Re: DIY 7m foil kite

Postby kitexpert » Mon Sep 25, 2017 11:13 am

Another pic:

Image

I hope this shows how bridle point locations, cell count and air intakes are designed in a balanced way 8) I'm not saying if it is done messy kite is ruined, but why not to do it properly?

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Re: DIY 7m foil kite

Postby Hardwater Kiter » Mon Sep 25, 2017 11:31 am

Looks great!

kitexpert
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Re: DIY 7m foil kite

Postby kitexpert » Mon Sep 25, 2017 12:39 pm

Thanks! I may use it next winter for some speed record attempts. Also if surface is good 7m high AR kite has surprisingly wide range of use in the winter.

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Re: DIY 7m foil kite

Postby jakemoore » Mon Sep 25, 2017 3:58 pm

Nice looking kite.

What did you use for the LE stiffeners.

kitexpert
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Re: DIY 7m foil kite

Postby kitexpert » Mon Sep 25, 2017 5:52 pm

Thank you. Stiffeners are trimmer line plastic, medium thickness if I remember correct.

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Re: DIY 7m foil kite

Postby stefmoris » Mon Sep 25, 2017 10:47 pm

Excellent job kitexpert, that looks very nice! -stef

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Re: DIY 7m foil kite

Postby Jzh_perth » Tue Sep 26, 2017 1:46 am

OMG wow ! You mate this yourself ? How many hours do you estimate ?

Looks great and I hope it flies well for you.

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Re: DIY 7m foil kite

Postby kitexpert » Tue Sep 26, 2017 10:10 am

Thanks guys, yes I've been making kites for a long time but not much lately.

I used to count hours but not for this kite. It took over 100 hours for sure, because it is not a simple kite. It has 74 panels, 36 profiles, 105 pcs spanvise straps, 22 D-ribs, 32 bridle points, 36 LE stiffeners, 35 miniribs, 70 minirib patches, 5 air intakes (26parts) and 52 part bridle and speed system above that. So 488 parts in total, not including the speed system.


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