Rally report

snowmeltriver · Since 21 May 2006 102 Posts Little Kentucky Stoked

I had the opportunity to head out east with a quiver of Rallys yesterday. The goal was Rufus, but the north wind ruled it out. Out of sheer desperation, we cruised to Roosevelt for a 5:45pm launch time. I rode the 10m Rally with a strapless 6-0 surfboard. I weigh 165# and have been kiting since the 2 line Wipi days. I typically fly Revs or Octanes and have limited experience on the RPM. This in not intended to be a full tech overview or a sales pitch, simply my observations while unpacking, pumping, rigging and flying the kite.
OBSERVATIONS:
-Nice quality build, Beefy leading edge, 3 strut design, NO PULLEYS ON KITE.
-Multiple attachment points for back lines.
-Smallest/most simple bridle I have seen, no pulleys.
-Kite loops are really tight pivots turns with a noticeable surge in power as the kite exits the loop.
-Upwind performance was great. The kite really pulses to the edge of the window and keeps “reaching” out ahead.
-Relaunch was brainless. The kite rolls on the curved leading edge waiting for you to pull a line for full rotation and takeoff.
-Does not backfly when fully sheeted in. In lulls, while signing the kite, the Rally always surged right up and away from the water. Never had to “pump” the bar like with a REV or other SLE kites.
-Depower really works. At one point I had the depower line sheeted in about 8”. The Rally’s behavior was no different, back line tension was good, and steering was direct.
-The kite “travels” downwind while you make your turns. I could make a series of 5-10 heel-toe turns downwind and the kite tended to sit back in the window and cruise downwind with me. All it needed was the slightest bit of tension steering the kite upward.
- Smooth and consistent power delivery. During a directional transition with a toe-side exit from the turn, the power was consistent and smooth. What this means: You come ripping in on your heel edge, nicely powered, swing the kite up and over to the opposite side, carve to your toe edge, aim the board back upwind and the kite quickly “resets” itself with no loss of power.
-I think that a 10m Rally can replace an11m REV/Octane. It is faster and more fun to fly than the 11m REV.
TECH:
Kite pumped to 8psi, front lines on last (longest) knot, back lines on shortest knot, back lines on middle attachment for bar pressure/kite response. Wind was 15-24ish, averaging in the mid to high teens on the Arlington gauge.
SUMMARY:
The most noticeable characteristics to me are the functional depower, how the kite travels downwind and waits for your next input, and the smooth power delivery. I had a great session, with a killer sunset and awesome friends on the water. Thanks SS!

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

<<-The kite “travels” downwind while you make your turns. I could make a series of 5-10 heel-toe turns downwind and the kite tended to sit back in the window and cruise downwind with me. All it needed was the slightest bit of tension steering the kite upward. >>

This is the thing I find so amazing about the kite. It rockets upwind, but sits deep in the pocket down wind. This makes it super fun on swell. I assumed that what goes to the edge of the window heading up, would do the same heading down; but it doesn't. I am un-hooking a lot on the 10. Love it. The relaunch on the Rally should be called "Ready to launch."

The Rally 10 is ($$$)^2

Eric

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

I got to fly my new 10M Rally for the 1st time yesterday. It ROCKS. Time for a new quiver!

snowmeltriver · Since 21 May 2006 102 Posts Little Kentucky Stoked

I was able to fly the 8m Rally yesterday with a twintip. The kite is very boosty and loops nicely. It lands smoothly both with sending it back in the direction of travel and also with downloop landings. The most noticeable thing is how the kite changes directions. It is completely different from any kite I have flown. When you pull on the bar, the kite pivots and immediately takes off in the newly defined direction. It has no "memory" of what your last input was and is ready to do whatever you tell it to next. Pivot-go, pivot-go. Kind of like a video game, very different. I really liked it and I think it will be great in the surf. I flew a 8m nicely powered while the other kites on the water were 10.5m, 12m, 7.5m, 8m. I would have been on my 9m REV2 in the same conditions. I used the same settings as on the 10m: front pigtail on longest knot, back on shortest knot, bar pressure/feedback on middle setting.

toddjb · Since 16 Oct 2007 271 Posts MD Obsessed

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

I flew my 10m yesterday in winds appropriate for it (had a few days in lighter wind but couldn't really test it very well). I've been a Fuel rider in the small sizes for years so this was a big move for me.

Seems like since I started flying the Keys (and the Turbo 2's before them), the need to attach the back lines to the knot closest to the kite is standard. Most likely, the extension on the end of the kite line is a safety feature to ensure that people aren't in full power mode out of the box. But that is conjecture on my part.

The same seems to hold true for the bar pressure/kite feedback setting. I prefer it to be in the middle. The outside/highest-bar feedback setting seems to pinch the kites too much, and they are already very responsive.

Concerning the performance of the kite, I really liked it. Faster turning than Fuels, and again very responsive. We were lucky to get 17-25mph southerlies and I downwinded from Sunset to the shipwreck in chest to OH waves. At first I didn't trust the kite to hang back with me in the pocket but as I started taking chances, I found it to kick back and wait for me just fine... a little un-nerving because it did that hybrid/SLE flutter stall move but it never back-stalled and came around nicely.

Fair power looping, but definitely does not have the grunt of an 11m Fuel, though I don't think it is necessarily designed to. But I will keep that in mind when deciding what to rig.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

I always rig my SS kites square. I feel like I can get more power with the rears slightly loose--which I think is square they way they come out of the factory--which enables the kite to move more quickly and generate more apparent wind. Kites stall when the rears end up shorter than the fronts. As for trim, I usually pull 1 " and leave it there. I do this only because it will make it much easier to pull the trim knob for depowering at self-land time.

mikethemate · Since 16 Jan 2007 55 Posts White Salmon

Not to mention the reduction in depower by shortening the back lines. The thinking is that you will get more power by having the kite sheeted in more. This may be the case with an old set of lines which could have stretched but not straight out of the box.

I have messed with this and the most I would shorten the back lines is by one knot. If you are flying the right sized kite for the conditions then square rigging is the way to go.

You may be able to squeeze a little more power out of the kite by rigging up a knot on the back lines. You can also cause the kite to oversheet and backstall too. I haven't had a chance to use my 10m Rally yet, but given the reported wind range and low end grunt, why would you need to shorten your back lines?

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

The reason I do it is because I like the kite to be at full power about 6" from the base of the trim loop. I don't like flying the kite at full power sucked up next to my harness. If I want to unhook, I pull the trim about 4". When the kite is rigged square the back lines are too loose and the kite is not as responsive as I want, especially if the kite is a little underpowered. All you gorge guys are probably right rigging the kite square, I am more inclined to rig this way when I'm going to be loaded.

Mike, you are right and it might be in my head, but I will often rig on the middle knot. I just make the call based on the wind and how powered I think I'll be.

snowmeltriver · Since 21 May 2006 102 Posts Little Kentucky Stoked

-I rigged the rally on the shorter knot in the rear because it gives me the flexibility to tune the kite on the go. Since I can shorten the front lines at the bar, I can square the lines back up by pulling the depower line in about 2". If I rig the kite square and want more rear line tension (longer front lines), I can't adjust that from the bar. This is really useful when you're trying out an unknown kite. I tend to kite at spots where coming in to re-rig or adjust settings is a pain so that's why I rigged that way.
-I don't claim that those are the only settings the kite will work with but I wanted to include the settings I used for my review. Nothing worse than a 250# dude complaining about no low end on a small kite and not stating his weight!
-I have always rigged all my SS kites square until the 2010 octane with the new bar. I like it with more grunt so I shorten the rear lines by rigging on a closer knot.
-Eric: rigging square and pulling the depower line 1" is the same as rigging on 2nd knot with depower line all the way out.
-Mike: when do you get back in town? I noticed the rig is not parked at its normal spot.

mikethemate · Since 16 Jan 2007 55 Posts White Salmon

I have often rigged with the middle knot when on long downwinders or any time I feel like the wind may drop. This comes in handy in Barfly's case when the afternoon push starts to fade. It beats coming in and dropping your kite, changing knots, then relaunching. Especially as the wind is dropping all the time as you do this. The only downside is when it gets REALLY light and the kite needs fly sheeted out more to stay in the air. Of course pulling the sheeter strap in all the way is no big deal when its blowing 12 knots...

I usually square rig if I think the wind will increase. I.E. - Classic Gorge days. This way I have the maximum amount of depower available and can stay out longer. Have not experimented with the new Rally yet, however. I will be back next week to do so. Sounds like Some Rooster days are in order.

Snowmelt - Rig had to be moved for contractors doing our kitchen 'remodel' due to water damage. The rig does need a workout so a coast trip is definitely in order. You game? Home all October and November and looking forward to some surf...

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

kitebot · Since 20 Feb 2007 251 Posts Obsessed

Interesting kite for sure. So if there are no pulleys, does it use steel rings instead, or are there no moving parts whatsoever on the bridles?

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

No pullies or rings...

jbruxer · Since 24 Jul 2005 398 Posts Beaverton, OR Obsessed

Curious. What are the main benefits gained from removing the pullies other than one less thing to wear down?

cnski · Since 27 Jun 2008 13 Posts

SS website lists price as follows:

4m- $1479
6m- $1579
8m- $1679
10m- $1749
12m- $1849
14m- 1949

Anyone care to say what they ACTUALLY pay for these kites? Thx!

Campbell · Since 07 Sep 2008 409 Posts Camas, WA Obsessed

[quote="cnski"]SS website lists price as follows:

4m- $1479
6m- $1579
8m- $1679
10m- $1749
12m- $1849
14m- 1949

quote]

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