Taco-ing Rev 9M

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 844 Posts Opinionated

Noticed that when I park my 2008 Rev 9M when riding a wave, that the kite has a tendency to taco. If I fly the kite aggressively, obviously it's not an issue, but when there's not much wind in the kite, it seems to do this.

Anything I can do to address this? Thought I wasn't pumping it up hard enough, but I pumped it to 10psi, and still have the problem.

Is this a known problem with these kites, or am I just a dumb-ass?

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Jul 16, 09 9:36 am

Funny, I just posted this very same thing in the Octane thread. It is a very disturbing behavior that the REV exhibits. I brought it up in the past and lighter riders have not had a problem with it so I thought it was a fluke but every time I am very powered and I sheet all the way out, the canopy flutters and the kite puckers its leading edge under.

It seems to me it is a function of the kite having an extremely high angle of attack. When there is no tension on the back lines, the kite is almost parallel with the wind flow. From an aerodynamics perspective, the low pressure caused by the wind flowing over the bottom of the leading edge bladder is greater than the lower pressure of the wind now flowing over the top of the kite (which is essentially flat) and it gets pulled under. Just a theory though as I am by know means a kite designer.

I always rig my front line on the very last knot and the back lines on at least one or two knots towards the kite. This prevents the kite from getting really slack back lines but also reduces the amount of depower.

Not a deal breaker as I still really like the kite but it can be a tremendous bummer. Especially hot launching from body bashing wake style crashes. The kite will zoom off the water and fold, then take off and fold again.

I would love it if someone from SS or anyone with a higher understanding of kite aerodynamics could explain why this happens.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

wonder if you have too much tension in the back lines...

haven't seen this

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

It would be not enough tension on the back line. I can make the leading edge flutter, but have only had a couple of times when it actually inverted.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

make sure its pumped up to at least 8psi

I have noticed that pretty much all bad behaviors can be fixed with more LE pressure.

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Jul 16, 09 10:16 am

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2627 Posts The 503 METAL

I can't say I've had a taco, but I think I know what you're talking about when you say that if you're overpowered on a Rev and you sheet all the way out.

The canopy gets bent out of shape and they don't turn because there's no tension in the back lines. Sometimes, while in this state, the kite will decide to rocket across the window and it's tough to regain control because you don't have any tension in the back lines.

I just assumed this was a trait that's more pronounced with SLE's and the answer is to error on the side of under-rigging vs. overrigging.

I've also seen similar behavior with C's.

The Rev is still the SWEETEST handling kite I have ever flown... Thumb's Up

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

I've never seen a sle that didn't invert from a leading edge wingtip stall
causing the kite to unwind.
That's not what I call a taco
to me taco is the kite folding into half,
usually from lack of pressure in the leading edge
(and this does of course happen after the invert)
I've expierenced "taco's" from over powereing the kite
such as when using short lines with c types
I always fly sle kites at 80% of full power with only about a foot of trim
just to avoid inversions (and the kite zenithing )(and flapping)etc
but with c kites on longish lines they will become unmanageable
much sooner ,causing me to stop and put up the correct kite Cool

scottm · Since 12 Jun 2006 108 Posts Stoked

Try adjusting the stopper ball down to where the kite is mostly depowered when you sheet out. Helps keep the kite from stalling out.

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 844 Posts Opinionated

Maybe a little clarification. Monkeyboy mentioned inverting, but I haven't had this problem. The kite falls back in the window, and the wingtips come together. Usually, it catches enough wind to open back up, but the jerk that comes along with that is not too much fun, especially when trying to ride a wave.

As I said, the kite is at 10 psi per the Slingshot gauge I have. Feels plenty hard as well.

Also, this does not happen when sheeting out. It typically happens when I am not sheeting in or out.

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed

get a kahoona Surprised

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Throw some tapatillo on that bad boy!!!

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

Sounds almost like it's over-sheeted... Have you checked your lines to make sure they're all equal? If not, what about depowering the bar a bit? Does that help?

Nak · Thu Jul 16, 09 9:54 pm

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 844 Posts Opinionated

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

If you having trouble you can always call Slingshot toll free.

Slingshot Rider Hotline- 1-877-775-7238

rich · Since 30 Nov 2005 306 Posts portland Obsessed

i always shit when people start talking about unequal line lengths, scary and super inconvenient.

If you figure out the issue w/ this let us know. i'm not having it w/ mine, but would like to know the fix just in case.