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The Ion is a true hybrid kite which we believe is a big improvement on the standard BOW kite design. The Ion keeps the positive design aspects of the BOW kite and improves on the negative design aspects resulting in a kite that has the best of everything.
In order to try and keep a reasonable feel to the kite, we used a moderate Aspect Ratio design, similar to that of a Fusion. However as we were going to use a bridle, we were able to use a considerably flatter shape on the front of the kite, so when the kite is powered (with the rear lines tensioned), the additional lift forces created in the tips provide a flatter more efficient shape. In the depowered state, the bridle supports the shape rather than the lift forces, so the conventional C shape is not required.
This arrangement of design and bridle enables us to produce a kite with a tow point exceptionally far forward, to provide excellent depower yet still creating an efficient powered kite.
Also, in conjunction with the forward tow point we used a pulley to dynamically change the tow point position depending on the rear line tension. The advantage of this is you get large depower, yet the bar pressure remains light when powered up.
The advantages our Ion kite has over a BOW kite are that we are still able to provide the excellent depower characteristics so loved by beginners and wave riders, but we are also able to give the kite a crisp light direct response, and an incredibly simple bar system. The other feature that we have found is how easy the kite is to fly. The direct bar control means you know exactly where the kite is, and it just makes flying the kite so easy.
So in conclusion, we have achieved our goal of improving on the original BOW design and have produced a kite which still feels like a conventional kite, but has much greater de-power and is really easy to use. The Ion just makes it easier to learn new tricks, and enables you to enjoy a much wider range of conditions. To cap it all off – it is just perfect for smacking lips. What more could you want?
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Kitesurfari, Inc.
452
Pacific Coast Hwy, Seal Beach, CA 90740
toll free: 866.949.KITE(5483), tel: 562.596.6451, fax:562.596.6381, info@kitesurfari.com
Mon: |
10:00
AM - 6:00 PM |
Tue: |
11:00
AM - 6:00 PM |
Wed: |
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Thu: |
10:00
AM - 6:00 PM |
Fri: |
11:00
AM - 6:00 PM |
Sat: |
10:00
AM - 4:00 PM |
Sun: |
10:00
AM - 4:00 PM |
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