Date: Mon, 6 Mar 1995 20:08:49 -1000 From: tanaka_be@swam1.enet.dec.com (Bert Tanaka) Message-Id: <9503070607.AA18092@us3rmc.pa.dec.com> Organization: Harvard University Office of Information Technology Subject: New Product - SkyShark 15 gram tapered spar I recently posted some information regarding the new 12 gram tapered spar from SkyShark. This weekend I ran into John Barresi at El Segundo beach out here in California and he was flying his Tracers with the SkyShark 15 gram tapered spars in them. The 15 gram tube looks to be well suited for this kite. The Tracers had tapered rods in the leading edges and the lower spreaders. First I just watched John fly. He really is an amazing pilot. He flies a sort of Berkeley style - radical maneuvers with max amplitude. At one point he set his kite down into a tip stand and just started wiggle wobbling in place - as if he was trying to dig hole with the wing tip. Later he told me he was seeing if the spar could take the stress and so far, he's been very pleased with the toughness of the new rod (John is famous for busting the LE's with maneuvers that are tough on frames). After awhile, he let test fly it, so I decided to show him how to really fly the Tracer (this is a joke - sorry, Bert, but not in this lifetime). But anyways, I gave it my best shot in about 7-15 mph winds. John likes his kites set so that they are hard pulling and in these conditions, the Tracer performed with a solid, crisp performance. The frame stayed nice and tight, and the kite seemed to have the absence of flex you might expect from a much heavier rod. I also saw team Tsunami out there and flew one of the Spectra prototype kites that had the 15 gram tubes in it and was equally impressed. I think that a stiff frame makes axels and coins easier to do, as well as improving the feedback in the lines. In their experience, the 15 gram tapered rod is proving to be extremely durable. Its a lot stiffer than the 12 gram rod, and probably better suited for kites with long leading edges. For kites with long leading edges, the 15 gram tube seems to be a better choice, more durable and stiffer than the 12 gram tube. Good winds, Bert = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sat, 11 Mar 1995 09:34:23 -1000 From: chronstr@bucknell.edu (Nathan) Message-Id: Organization: Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, USA Subject: Re: New Product - SkyShark 15 gram tapered spar In article <9503070607.AA18092@us3rmc.pa.dec.com>, tanaka_be@swam1.enet.dec.com (Bert Tanaka) wrote: > I recently posted some information regarding the new 12 gram tapered > spar from SkyShark. This weekend I ran into John Barresi at El Segundo > beach out here in California and he was flying his Tracers with the > SkyShark 15 gram tapered spars in them. The 15 gram tube looks to be > well suited for this kite. The Tracers had tapered rods in the leading > edges and the lower spreaders. > Who sells these tapered spars? Do you have their address or phone #? Thanks. Nathan = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Sun, 12 Mar 1995 22:14:07 -1000 From: john.mitchell@multinet.de (john) Message-Id: <199503130814.AA09629@BlackBird.MultiNET.DE> Organization: Harvard University Office of Information Technology Subject: Re: New Product - SkyShark 15 gram tapered spar > Who sells these tapered spars? Do you have their address or phone #? > Thanks. > > Nathan Contact Tom Marvin at Hang'em'High. He has the Skyshark 32.5" 15 gram, 5P tapered on stock price US$8.00 on 8 March, 1995. Tom says, 8 gram indoor spars, 12 gram U.L. and 21 Gram heavy duty will be available later in the year. They are smooth as glass. Tom also has G-Force tapered spars, price are 8 March, 1995. Skinny $8.00 8.3 Gr. U.L. $7.65 12.4 grams Standard $7.75 17.4 grams ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I don't have any Finacial Interest in Hang'em'High. I am just another pleased customer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Over-the-Rainbow, John Mitchell Munich, Germany = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =