I can agree with this - the old system of one inflate and one deflate valve was a much lighter (weight) solution than the newer "high flow" plastic valves fitted as standard it seems. I have two struttless kites, one with the older two valves and one with the newer high flow valve - the two valve version has a better absolute low end for staying in the air IMHO. Not all upgrades end up being upgrades when it comes to light wind kites!!abel wrote: ↑Sun Oct 15, 2017 11:45 pmIf you're aiming at very light winds, keep in mind that every gram counts!
I observed that light wind kites use a huge wide and heavy inflating valve and single pump connector.
So following your simplicity concept, here are my 2c : Save the weight.
- use two old little valves, one for the leading edge and one for the strut. No connecting tube.
If anybody is too lazy for taking the effort of inflating two valves, then probably he will not bother riding in very light winds
- consider sewing/sticking regular dyneema lines beneath the canopy along the the strongest tension areas and use the lightest cloth possible for the canopy.
Maybe aim at a target weight around 2.4 kg for a 12m2 (the Ultra is 2.8 kg), I trust that if you'll manage to reach the target, then it will stay in the air as much as foil kites do.
Good luck with the project
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