Strutless kites

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

Very interesting I was hoping that someone with more knowledge on the subject in the area could give us a run down on this stuff....
Very Happy

http://www.thekiteboarder.com/2013/06/strutless-kite/#

Looking for opinions......thoughts.....comments......concerns.

MIXWELL · Wed Jul 24, 13 7:38 am

I get my ZERO in 2 weeks!

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

And......... Question

Tell us more......

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

I have the 13m BRM cloud.
since I moved down here, I haven't been able to use it much.
too much wind! Confused

I did get to use it before KB4C on sunday before the wind came up.
my setup gets me out in very little wind.
before I moved down from seattle, this was my go to kite for light winds, getting me on the water at the same time when the 17m kites were flying.
I've ridden the trip 10m and the cloud 10m both are very nice kites, but would like to spend a good week on one in the gorge to see how it handles the winds
relaunch on the strutless kites is very quick
this video was made after my first experience with the kite.

Link

jaksavage · Since 02 Dec 2009 216 Posts hood river Stoked

saw some in maui, they were ripping, of course those guys would probably rip on 2001 wipika 2 lines...
Saw them water relaunch no problem.

Nak · Wed Jul 24, 13 9:52 am

But are they "One Pump"??? Wink

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

flying a cloud 17 since March and happy with it.
I completely love how it packs into the space of an 8 or 9m kite and pumps fast and easily.
Low end is awesome and it hangs in the air with no nursing or tendency to drop in winds as light as 4-5 knots.
Can ride in 7-8 on a surfboard, 9-10 on medium TT, top end around 15 or so, can push top a little higher if needed but not fun in 20, just tiring (180lbs).
Drift is perfect, turning fast, relaunch easy.
Doesn't turn with bar out too far, be cautious how you trim in jumps. Exclamation

Bar in it will float you along gently in the air.

A few issues to consider:
-cannot park it on beach without weight on it.
-need care in a drift launch, especially if any current. With no struts, the TE can sag completely into the water and current will push it upwind at you easily.
-if you set up with a single front line safety, the kite will spin a few times if you throw the bar from high in the window. Does stabilize once on the water. Haven't had it pull much, but caution is in order if you have to pull the ripcord in higher winds.

Overall I am very happy with it for freeride and waves, would like to have a small one or two, as well.
Feel is a little different from other kites, try it and see if you like it.
another vid, really light wind

Link

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

This is great info, thanks tons. Recently I have heard that LF has possibly there own version?

I have become a fan of LF (as some of you know, and if you want to fly some envy's, I'm around). Does anyone know about them?

And...... I have noticed you have all talked about them in light wind, does anyone have anything to say about gorge style winds? How about lift? Boost?

sg

Sella · Wed Jul 24, 13 1:26 pm

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

Ive seen the google photos... would live to get on it for sure.

How many strut-less kites are out there now?

sg