Kitehard said...
Hi Sasha,
To clarify the points you mentioned :
The "floating" centre strut is attached only at the back 1/2 to 2/3rds of the way back from the leading edge. This allows the front section of the canopy to deform and flutter and backwind (float) which reduces lift and creates drag. Reducing lift creates less power and drag creates resistance to the wind which quickly shifts the kite further back into the wind window where it is more stable and less prone to luffing (Hindenberg). A fixed or completely attached center strut holds the entire section of lift producing canopy (front 1/3rd) in the best aerodynamic profile to always be producing lift and reduce drag. This makes it fly further forwards with less depower and more prone to luffing.
Just to clarify some points being mentioned.
All inflatable kites I've ever seen do not have the canopy attached all the way. The canopy attaching on all the kites I've seen finishes at approx the same point as the new North system, this is because the canopy must be free to form a more fluid aerofoil shape at the front of the canopy (there are other reasons).
Sorry KH, but your statement above is incorrect.
All modern bow/hybrid/SLE/delta kites that I've seen have a free floating canopy for at least approx the 1st 3rd of the strut length, starting from the strut to LE attachment.
Every year, we get designers scrambling to make a new feature on kites, that can be hyped and sold as the new holy grail, in the hope that everyone will stop looking at other brands and just buy theirs. That formula is getting a bit tired, hopefully some brands will follow the foil kites (I'm hearing rumours that some brands of LEI are going to do it from 2010) and only release kites every 2 years when they actually have made real "fully tested" REAL performance improvements.
Kitehard said...
The loaded 5th safety line means the centre 5th line is loaded and shares the load with the other 4 normal lines. Having this as your safety means that the attach point for the safety is on the center of the leading edge which is, was, and always will be, the safest form of emergency depower when flagging to safety.
Hmmm, was is and always will be, sounds a bit OTT. Sounds like another way of saying never, and we all know never is the word to never say in relation to an evolving thing like a kitesurf kite!
Gazillions of riders have pinged many modern kites, to their safety, not including 5th line kites and have remarakbly survived the experience. For instance, the system used on many brands where you can ping to one centre line from below the bar works extremely well. Better in my opinion that 5th line systems for simplicity alone. The North loaded 5th line system where the 5th line will be subject to constant load and line stretch/creep and consequent out of tune issues does not seem to be an ideal solution.
The line is loaded for reasons, to do with depower and depower throw, according to North. Seems that resorting to a bridle, is something North seem to have an aversion to, almost exclusively now (why is that???)
Kitehard said...The 5th line also becomes an integral part of the structural support for the span and curve of the leading edge. This gives the center span of the arc more rigidity when things start to get out of control, which in real terms means stability.[/quote}
True, and a simple bridle can do the same thing. (and many other things too)
Kitehard said...
No, there are no pulleys on the back "V" lines. The back "V" attach points allow the kite to pull from further forward or aft along the trailing edge depending upon the angle of attack or stages of power thru back line tension. The load shifts from the more aft attach point at low angles of attack (depower) and as sheeted in, the load transfers to the forward attach point which gives a smoother and more consistent feel to the bar pressure as you sheet in for power. It also gives better and more direct control to the kite when depowered ie wave riding. The back line bungees also keep tension on the back lines as the lines go slack. This also keeps tension on the turning wingtip when the lines would ordinarily be slack. This should be an important feature in a wave kite.
Thats the best I could do without doing drawings to illustrate what I mean. I hope it helps.
The new Rebels will be here in a bit over a week but unfortunately the bars are a further week behind. They should be really something worth a good look at and definately worth a test ride.
I'm amped!
Cheers,
KH
The bungees were added to aid relaunch, not depowered turning ability. A properly tuned and well designed kite never has completely slack rear lines when being flown, otherwise it would be completely unsteerable, wouldn't it?
Rear line tension is gradually reduced, when a well designed and tuned kites is depower, but it is NEVER
completely reduced, unless the safety is pinged.
There is always rule No 1, which states - There are no rules - so therefore never can sometimes be used correctly. This ends todays reality lessons thanks for watching.
Cya and
Goodwinds
McReality
