To add to the Allulah discussion. DBY I self-launched my Roam 9M on a tether and on my way back to the bar the kite took off, turned into the power zone and crashed hard. Totally wrecked. Tears of nearly 2M and detached struts. I've liked the kite... it has been pretty much my "Go-to" kite. However over the nearly (?) 3 years I have used it it has been my most repaired kite. I suspect the immense strength & (I suppose) High modulus of the material (Allulah) may transfer more strain to, say, the bladder, the stitching and to the joined areas of the struts than a more elastic material like polyester. Anyone with a degree in physics may care to laugh at that. Rob
Did you use the lightwind race kite water start technique? You don't loop race kites to start in light winds like you might an LEI, you backstall them deep into the power zone and use the power surge as it flies forwards again to waterstart.
Deep into the powerzone with 12 meter lines is not much of a surge forwards in 7 or 8 kts unfortunately.
The other Ram kiters who did manage to get out were on 23 meters, and they could just pull the bar in and go.
If I had put 24 meter lines on it, maybe I need to in the lighter winds?
You mean like this right?
Yep. Just like that.
Ultimately big race foils are a different use case compared to a surf kite like the roam. Interesting to hear that it was easy to get up as the roam by reputation has less grunt for starting out than a moderate weight kite like the Neo SLS. That said, if I had the spare cash, I'd be going for some aluula goodness
Yeah, the wind today was really bad, combined with the downwind current and I tried absolutely everything to get out and riding. Including backstalling almost all the way to the water, but it was so light that basically once the kite ran to the front of the window, there was nothing there, and the run was not enough to get me on the board or the foil.
There was a Dlab 15 meter Juice flying around, and the 12 meter Airrush 1 strutt I saw last week. Meaning I would have had absolutely no problems getting up on the same board with the 12 roam. Aside from being able to loop it, it flies so much faster, and on the up stroke is still making power which makes the biggest difference in lighter winds.
Unfortunately I didn't have the Roam out to compare with the Dlab, but would have loved to do that comparison. Visual wise the roam was significantly faster in the turns and forward flight... although the 15 juice alulla was faster than the other non allula juices out there also.
To add to the Allulah discussion. DBY I self-launched my Roam 9M on a tether and on my way back to the bar the kite took off, turned into the power zone and crashed hard. Totally wrecked. Tears of nearly 2M and detached struts. I've liked the kite... it has been pretty much my "Go-to" kite. However over the nearly (?) 3 years I have used it it has been my most repaired kite. I suspect the immense strength & (I suppose) High modulus of the material (Allulah) may transfer more strain to, say, the bladder, the stitching and to the joined areas of the struts than a more elastic material like polyester. Anyone with a degree in physics may care to laugh at that. Rob
Interesting , how are you getting your damage? From heavy crashes, or dragging over sharp objects on the beach? I haven't crashed mine hard at all, mainly used in lighter winds, but no visible damage anywhere yet.
I would imagine thumping your kite into the ground , no matter the construction, you're lucky if you get away without damage..... unless it's a trainer kite, but I've seen them split in half also.
New allula Roam out today, 4% lighter than previous.
12 meter aparrently 2.17kg
Notice......it's not " up to 4% lighter "
Well don OR...... leading the way !
New allula Roam out today, 4% lighter than previous.
12 meter aparrently 2.17kg
Notice......it's not " up to 4% lighter "
Well don OR...... leading the way !
Love the Aluula 's Roam looking and selling my quiver 6,8,10 12 m And ordering new models
Can't stress it enough, the allula kites do not behave like std dacron kites and are full of surprises when self launching. I must drift launch and land in the water at my home spot. Have had several cases where the kite would behave like i never have seen before, like fliping over and hot launch without touching the bar, or flipping 2-3 times, refusing to dip when releasing while down flying to land at window edge and flying high away on the safety. it appears to me the bridle set-up makes the kite 'less stable' than others when handling from only one front line.
play safe, play again tomorow
Can't stress it enough, the allula kites do not behave like std dacron kites and are full of surprises when self launching. I must drift launch and land in the water at my home spot. Have had several cases where the kite would behave like i never have seen before, like fliping over and hot launch without touching the bar, or flipping 2-3 times, refusing to dip when releasing while down flying to land at window edge and flying high away on the safety. it appears to me the bridle set-up makes the kite 'less stable' than others when handling from only one front line.
play safe, play again tomorow
The Allula kites are much lighter/stiffer (frames) than other kites. They are very tricky to self land in strong winds and I'd recommend assisted landings or use of a tether. By the way, if you help land one, add some sand on the leading edge or hold till the kiter grabs it.