On the topic of Crossbow Vs R06
I rode both yesterday back to back.
Wind was 13/14 gusting to 18/20 SSE at Dolls Point with a neatral tide at first and then an outgoing tide (same dir as the wind). Only rode in the outgoing tide for 30 mins or so.

Spent approx 2 hrs between the 9M Crossbow at first for approx 20 mins, then the 12M R06 for approx 1 hr, and then the 16M Crossbow for approx 30 mins.

When I first rode the R06 it felt strange, and I noticed the 5th line was completely slack, so I came in and had a friend hold the kite while I quickly and very easily changed the length of the centre lines using the adjuster (very cool and well designed simple idea!)
The kite then had a more solid feel, there was just slight tension on the 5th line with no depower pulled on. The R06 flies with a very steady pull, and a really smooth feel, probably the most refined feel of a North kite that I have ever flown. Did not have it one the fast turn setting so it was a little slower than I expected in the turns but still flew fast and liked to be ridden fast, pulled upwind really well but not as good as the CB 16M.
This kite will please North Rhino4 and 5 users for sure and the construction and attention to detail in the kite design and bar and lines is the best I have seen from North. Same materials as last year, just better designed and reinforced.
For outright jumping and hangtime I think the CB will be the winner, although there is nothing shabby about the R06 and in the right hands it will make you fell your lunch again for sure. The inherent ease of use and safety of the CB make it my favourite, but a younger rider with 2 good knees might prefer the sheer grunt of the R06, however the lower overall wind range and increasing feeling of being overpowered like most C kites is something that is just not there on the CB's, especially on the 9 and 12M.

I'm tired can't think too much more, been very busy and getting some water time, winds have been excellent lately and lots more to come this week, get back to me if you want to know more details.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

Don't shell out on a CB until you try a Nova.

Anything that does what the CB claims to and simpler has got to be worth a look.

best winds
Tony L

quote:

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Originally posted by Doogle

Thanks to everybody for their time and effort to reply, your views and thoughts have been much appreciated. As much as I hate to admit it I think I will have to take the softer option of a crossbow or equivalent. Unfortunately this will mean swallowing my pride as I had vowed not to spend any more money on Cabrinhas as I got the ****s with a warranty claim. There is also an interesting warranty article and comments on the robustness of Cabrinhas product, on kite forum that I shall follow (better than working).

Now to try and find some cold hard cash, or some room on the credit card…

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No worries Doogle, I don't think you will be disappointed, warranty issues aside we have no reason to beleive that you will have any problems with the kites. They are made from identical materials as other Cabrinha kites.
The beat up on kiteforum, is an example of one kite, and who knows what has happened to it, from my perspective the kites looks like it has been left inflated on a very hot day and or placed on very hot sand or left in the back of the car ( the struts definately look like an over heated kite damage).

Everyone here has seen Rich Stenning slamming our demo kite repeatedly, including getting them to launch inside out, and then backside in again, and there is no sign of this damage on our kites. Hudsons kites have been smashed even more and there is still no sign of the sort of damage posted on Kiteforum.

There is more to that example that the owner is letting on and it is a pity he has chosen to take it public. The rest of the posts are from other brand pimps taking the opportunity to do some brand bashing.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack