North Rhino2 14.0
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2003 12:02 pm
On the beach
Brand: North Kites
Model: Rhino 2
Real Surface: 14.0 meters
Projected Surface: NC
Aspect Ratio: NC
Design/Finish: Excellent finish with attractive details and reinforcements, in line with the workmanship of last year’s Rhino model. The control tips are reinforced with unbreakable battens. …. Top quality, low stretch, strong yet light cloth is used. The details have not been forgotten, for example; the two deflation valves on the leading edge, the two sets of kite line attachment points on the control tip that allow for different performance riggings. A hint of Naish, in fact, the overall feel is very similar to that of the Naish X2…
Specifications: It is a kite for Hanging. The evolution of the first Rhino with regard to the great lift and elevation; it preserves the good attributes of the easy, stable, all-rounder Rhino1, whilst adding incredible lift.
On the water
Power: It is difficult to judge as we tested the Rhino 2 in light wind, but it accelerates with the slightest gust. With a light wind condition board we’ve managed to ride at around 10 knots. It seems capable of maintaining power as it continues to progress even in the slacks, but without pulling on the arms.
Stability: Very stable in very light wind, extremely stable in gusts! We’ll still have to see during jumps but are not expecting any surprises.
Control/General Comfort: We found it rather slow in very light wind, but it reacts quickly in the slightest gust of wind. It doesn’t pull on the arms when it accelerates.
Wind Force: We used it between 8 and 14 knots and apparently it can do with a lot more!
Summary
Their Comments
Luc, 28, 80 Kg: "Slow in slack wind. It doesn’t pull on one’s arms."
Caro, 33, 62 Kg: "Slow, but it accelerates well in the wind. Good finish. Still to be tested in a wind range above its evolution speed – its stability, its lift."
Cedric, 21, 78 Kg: "It seems to accelerate fast – makes one keen to try in good wind!"
Damien, 24, 70 Kg: "Good speed and acceleration, stable, well finished…"
Test Conditions
Wind Force: 8 to 14 knots in gusts.
Boards used: North Robo TT 140, TT Bic 142 Airflow.
Testers’ Weight: 62 to 88 Kg, experts.
Kites normally used by the testers: Naish X2 12.0 and 16.0, Wipika AirBlast 8.4, Takoon Skoop 8.5 and 11.5.
For more information on North Kites: http://www.northkites.com.
thx to flysurf.com for text and pictures
Brand: North Kites
Model: Rhino 2
Real Surface: 14.0 meters
Projected Surface: NC
Aspect Ratio: NC
Design/Finish: Excellent finish with attractive details and reinforcements, in line with the workmanship of last year’s Rhino model. The control tips are reinforced with unbreakable battens. …. Top quality, low stretch, strong yet light cloth is used. The details have not been forgotten, for example; the two deflation valves on the leading edge, the two sets of kite line attachment points on the control tip that allow for different performance riggings. A hint of Naish, in fact, the overall feel is very similar to that of the Naish X2…
Specifications: It is a kite for Hanging. The evolution of the first Rhino with regard to the great lift and elevation; it preserves the good attributes of the easy, stable, all-rounder Rhino1, whilst adding incredible lift.
On the water
Power: It is difficult to judge as we tested the Rhino 2 in light wind, but it accelerates with the slightest gust. With a light wind condition board we’ve managed to ride at around 10 knots. It seems capable of maintaining power as it continues to progress even in the slacks, but without pulling on the arms.
Stability: Very stable in very light wind, extremely stable in gusts! We’ll still have to see during jumps but are not expecting any surprises.
Control/General Comfort: We found it rather slow in very light wind, but it reacts quickly in the slightest gust of wind. It doesn’t pull on the arms when it accelerates.
Wind Force: We used it between 8 and 14 knots and apparently it can do with a lot more!
Summary
Their Comments
Luc, 28, 80 Kg: "Slow in slack wind. It doesn’t pull on one’s arms."
Caro, 33, 62 Kg: "Slow, but it accelerates well in the wind. Good finish. Still to be tested in a wind range above its evolution speed – its stability, its lift."
Cedric, 21, 78 Kg: "It seems to accelerate fast – makes one keen to try in good wind!"
Damien, 24, 70 Kg: "Good speed and acceleration, stable, well finished…"
Test Conditions
Wind Force: 8 to 14 knots in gusts.
Boards used: North Robo TT 140, TT Bic 142 Airflow.
Testers’ Weight: 62 to 88 Kg, experts.
Kites normally used by the testers: Naish X2 12.0 and 16.0, Wipika AirBlast 8.4, Takoon Skoop 8.5 and 11.5.
For more information on North Kites: http://www.northkites.com.
thx to flysurf.com for text and pictures