Legend Posted June 4, 2003 Report Posted June 4, 2003 Howzit going guys! Very excited about the B3, haven't got them here in South Africa yet > . What I really want to know though is how they compare to a B2... Is there a vast amount of extra pull/lift? I know that the turning speed is substantially better, but what about the rest? Hopefully will be getting my B3 4.9 meter soon... Quote
dan.white Posted June 5, 2003 Report Posted June 5, 2003 Hey Legend, sorry you guys have to wait, but you deserve to have to wait, 'cos you've got such nice flying locations and weather (punks!). I got my BIII 4.9 a couple of days ago and can tell you that yes, it does turn a lot quicker, but as for pull, I can't honestly answer that one (not enough experience on BIIs), but I certainly enjoy flying it more than my brother's BII 4.9... Dan Quote
matt21 Posted June 5, 2003 Report Posted June 5, 2003 i can only give a mk1 vs mk3 comparison, but since mk1 and mk2 are pretty much the same..... the B3 does turn very quick, it is also very stable but in doing this I think flexi has lost the static kick the mk1 has, and the thinner profile means you have to move the kite a bit more to get the power, so it's slightly more race kitey which is where the extra power is coming from. They have also re-enforced the centre so you don't get that ugly step effect in the kite when you turn it. Overall it's seems to be a great kite, they've got more stability like the litle devils, more power like a race kite and the same infamous airfoil shape for massive amounts of lift. Matt Quote
Legend Posted June 5, 2003 Author Report Posted June 5, 2003 Hey Dan.... You're right I suppose, we have got pretty hectic conditions down here. I was speaking to Chris Calthrop a while ago about the B3(he was down here last year) and he was saying they're some of the best around! You guys are all welcome to come and stay with me. Interesting stuff about the B3, I saw the reinforcing job flexi had done, and to me that looked like one its biggest improvements over the B2. The B2 (awesome kite) seems to tend to have a bit of a tendency not to hold its shape on the conering. Could you guys also tell me how the 4.9 would work for buggying and land-boarding? Oh yeah, and has anyone tried it for kitesurfing yet??? PLEASE TELL ME HOW IT WAS! (I realise it's not water-relaunchable) :D Quote
bigrob Posted June 5, 2003 Report Posted June 5, 2003 Gaan it met jou Legend? I was in CT Marc/April and was flying my Bullets at Blouberg. See my thread. Anyway have a look here for a review of the Blade 3 http://www.racekites.com/home/home.asp http://www.flexifoil.com/community/forums/showthread.php?threadid=12802 Quote
Legend Posted June 5, 2003 Author Report Posted June 5, 2003 Hey Bigrob, dis lekker by die see! Looks like you had a pretty good time in SA, hope the wind was up to standards! Next time your down give me a call, we'll go do some kitesurfing! Thanx for the link for the B3, pretty solid and detailed review, and the kite seems to come out on top as well... I'm still keen to hear peoples views on how it actually performs first hand - especially in the kitesurfing arena? I'm quite keen on using non-inflatables (can't be bothered with all the pumping up ect). So if anyone has tried the B3 out yet on water - please give me your thoughts... Quote
rasga Posted June 5, 2003 Report Posted June 5, 2003 http://www./kiteatb.co.uk also have a review of pre-production one. . Quote
bigrob Posted June 5, 2003 Report Posted June 5, 2003 Hi Legend If I come back for a holiday I'll look you up. May come over next year for a weeks safari then a week in CT. Would love to try Kitesurfing. I also have a an invite to go fishing with Tom Sutcliffe, one of the doyens of South African Flyfishing. Quote
Legend Posted June 5, 2003 Author Report Posted June 5, 2003 Hey Bigrob, you better look me up when you're next here buddy, I'll be expecting it! Rasga, ur link doesn't seem to work... or maybe I'm just a fool I don't suppose anyone knows when the B3's are gonna be released in sunny South Africa? I contacted the kite shop here, but they're not particularly in the know. If anyone could give me some indication I would really appreciate it!!! Quote
rasga Posted June 5, 2003 Report Posted June 5, 2003 nah, i just couldnt type it! it should have been: KiteATB.co.uk Quote
Legend Posted June 5, 2003 Author Report Posted June 5, 2003 Thanx buddy... Still looking for any info on the Blade 3 release date in South Africa? Oh yes, and for any first hand crits on how the blade 3 4.9 meter performs for kitesurfing? Cheers Quote
cobbsunited Posted June 5, 2003 Report Posted June 5, 2003 i got my blade 3 4.9 about a week ago now the lines have stretched and the kite is set up wright. what a kite it is. i was down southsea portsmouth today ,the wind was about 8 mph and on jumps i was being lifted about six feet i am 15 stone so cant wait for slightly higher wind.it pulls like a blade2 6.4 well done flexi great kite i really enjoy it.i got down southsea about 9:30 and finished at 1500 the time flew by get it ha ha. Quote
bigrob Posted June 5, 2003 Report Posted June 5, 2003 I'm getting a 3 and a 4.9 - hopefully arrive tomorrow. Wonder what to get after that, if a 4.9 lifts like a 6.4. What will a 6.6 lift like? Quote
Legend Posted June 6, 2003 Author Report Posted June 6, 2003 Who knows buddy, but it's definately worth a try Maybe when I ACTUALLY GET my blade III I can start comparing notes with you!.... I'm all of a sudden VERY bored, plus the weather in Cape Town is so bad at the moment, no outdoor sports are on the cards (don't think I would ever defrost) Quote
bigrob Posted June 6, 2003 Report Posted June 6, 2003 Hey Legend I have just phoned Flexi on your behalf. She (Jo) said it will be the middle to the end of June when they start filtering through to SA. Hope that cheers you up. Just been having a look at the weather at Blouberg and it looks fine - so stop moaning. Have a look http://www.kapstadt.de/livecam.htm Quote
Legend Posted June 6, 2003 Author Report Posted June 6, 2003 Hey bigrob! Thanx for calling Flexi bud - you should be the legend! I owe you one. Weather in CT's looking O.K. but sadly I'm working at the moment will go sort it out on the weekend though Keep well buddy, and don't get too out of control... Quote
Bob Monkhouse Posted June 6, 2003 Report Posted June 6, 2003 Originally posted by cobbsunited the wind was about 8 mph and on jumps i was being lifted about six feet i am 15 stone Holy shamoly ! Are you sure it was only 8mph dude ? I'm pretty sure my 4.9 Mk2 wouldn't lift me at all in 8mph. Right where do I get one ! Cheers Bob. Quote
Legend Posted June 8, 2003 Author Report Posted June 8, 2003 I see this topic is still much in demand, so I thought I would relaunch this thread to the top of the list Quote
trix222 Posted June 8, 2003 Report Posted June 8, 2003 Just thought i'd post a pic!! This is me getting air on me blade 2 4.9. I reckon the wind was bout 15mph ish!!! Quote
retrocow Posted June 9, 2003 Report Posted June 9, 2003 Greetingz.... Nice to see some south africans loggin on this side (-: SOOO frustrated....i've recently come over from Cape town - well about a year ago, got my Blade 3 soon after i arrived...only then to find out that the best spots are in the cape..!!!??? and i was in tableview/Langebaan etc all the time and i never saw one kite surfer or power kiter!?? i mean whats up with that* Well no matter, will be back for holiday in Dec/Jan - going to be getting my Kite surfing training while i'm down (works out much cheaper than here!) and also buy all my kit there.....to come back and FREEZE in cornwall or brighton! Bet yu guys are not diggin the cold at the moment though (-: sun is shining this syde...you need to suffer for a while take it eeZee...* Quote
retrocow Posted June 9, 2003 Report Posted June 9, 2003 sorry, meant blade 3m...!! not blade 3...i wish - next on purchase list Quote
Legend Posted June 9, 2003 Author Report Posted June 9, 2003 Hey Retrocow. lol. Seems your travelling in the wrong direction all things considered!! Surprised you never saw any kiters in CT, Blaawberg (however u spell it) is always littered with them - hectic spot! Well, as to the weather...It's sunny but cold (probably still warmer then the U.K. though!) I remember when I used to live in Bristol that I always equated the English summer with the SA winter Anyway... I'm sure you'll have a good time in december when the good weather is back! Nice winds at the moment though... Maybe I'll see you on the beach then... I'll be the one with the Blade III 4.9 meter kite (flo yellow). That's if it EVER FLIPPING ARRIVES!!! Cheers buddy Quote
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