SlingShot Stealth

I recently purchased a Slingshot Stealth 7.7, and am finding it's a bitch to inflate. It doesn't seem to inflate very well at all. I also crashed it once and soaked up water like a sponge.

I know all about what folks are saying for how to work a ram-air kite, but I was wondering if anyone had comparative advice on this kite. How does it stack up against other ram-airs? I've been hearing some good (lots of power for the size) and bad (manufacturing problems, twitchy). I'd like to get some more feedback on this.

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.

Did you ask Slingshot for help directly?

How long does it take to inflate? How much wind were you flying in? Soak up water like a sponge? Did the water get inside the kite?

As for the inflation problem, I can only provide advice that works for most foil kites since I haven't yet seen let alone flown a Stealth: Some kites need a little more help than others. For one that is slow to inflate, you should lay out your lines get everything straightened out, then grab the kite at the bridle in such a way that you pull more on the LE lines (or A primaries). The kite should rag above your head and slowly fill (to a point). Set it down, walk to your bar and launch it immediately. When it's underinflated in light air it will take a bit of skill to bring to full inflation. It is now time to show your flying skills that you aquired with your trainer kite in 0-2 knots of wind. Keep the kite moving, flying gentle figure 8s. On the down stroke, try to speed up the kite as a fast kite will inflate much faster than a slow one.

I have seen quite a few kiter shake there kite quite figorously. I can not see how this is supposed to help, unless the kite has sticky valves. I think these guys are mostly windsurfers that think you can pump the kite like you pump a sail. The key to filling it is speed through the air.

As for soaking up water, I have heared of the slingshot kites haveing a bunch of TE openings, which is potentially problematic, depending on construction. Assuming these openings were all water tight, water can still get in through the seams. To avoid that, you need to try to pull as little as possible on the flying lines after a crash. Dragging the kite through the water can easily force a lot of water through the seams. With light control input get the kite to roll over to TE down and it should restart easily. The exact technique depends on whether you fly 4-line or 3 line. If you fly the kite in very light winds, say less than 8 knots you might not be able to relaunch it at all. This seems to be a problem with all currently available kites, including Naish. Some times it works but most beginners around hear cannot relaunch any kite in under 8 knots.

OK. That all makes sense. I went out tonight and got the kite flying. It certainly doesn't want to take off very well when not fully inflated! I had a couple of friends help by holding the sides and then it took off much easier. I then went out a 1/2 mile and crashed the kite. swim! Luckily, some fisherman picked me up and gave me a ride to shore.

Yes, the kite seemed to take water internally quite easily, but I may have been a bit forceful with it. Still, it didn't last very long before it was toast.

The main problem I see with it now is that the damn thing collapses so easily!!! Do all ram-air kites collapse easier than Naish/Wipika kites? The leading corners of the Stealth seem to like folding in and collapsing the whole thing at the slightest opportunity.

So, between taking on water easily and a kite that likes collapsing, I've got my hands full! Any more advice?

I'm totally successful with my Naish AR 3.5's, so the Stealth is a bit discouraging.

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.

None of my foil kites were adjusted perfectly from the factory. Check with the factory to see if they have an angle of attack adjustment, like Concept Air does. They should know what I'm talking about. A slight error is this angle will make a kite prone to falling from the sky. This only applies if you're kiting powered. If you're kiting under powered then that might be the reason it's falling easily.

The biggest challenge for any new foil flyer is water relaunches. Until you get it, stay in closer. I can't not stress enough about not pulling on the lines when relaunching. Let the wind do the pulling.......not you. All ram air kites fill with water when you pull the lines. Even guys with the Concept Air New Wave swim home when they pull on the lines. CA riders brag about the relaunchability of this kite, but when a line puller flies it, he swims home.

I hope you're kite is 3 lines. I believe this is the most reliable set-up for consistent relaunching and seems to provide the least risk of a brake line wrapping a wing.

Are you still trying to figure this kite out? I suspect you have a first generation kite which has problems so I'm told. I have a third generation 5.8 stealth and flys perfect and has a ton of power for its size. Water relaunch is hard so don't crash it, it can be done but you must be a solid flyer and be quick. As for me, I've given up learning on a wake board and am now going on a XTC Slingshot directional till I figure this all out...