K111 - Tempest Prototype #1

This is the first prototype for a new kite I am designing, which I have called Tempest. Tempest is intended to be a team-oriented kite. My goal is to design a decent team flying kite and make it open source, that way people all over can build the kite and potentially have more opportunities to do proper team dual line.

For this design, I started with the open source plans for the 100Sixteen. I thought that the 100Sixteen would be a good starting place because I've built some before, they are a bit oversize, and they have a relatively shallow body, which I think will lend well to team. Being a bit oversize, the kite can be a bit slower and easier to control in relation to other team members. I think the shallow body may also help with reducing overall speed and sail pressure.

Sail design

I started the design by modifying the shape of the 100Sixteen. I straightened the leading edge and the spine, and I added winglets.

I think the winglets went okay, but I think I'll tweak the design of them next time to make the construction a bit easier and cleaner.

The panel layout on display is just the result of throwing scraps together. This is not what I expect the final panel layout to be.

Framing

Because this is intended to be a team kite, not a trick kite, I changed up the frame quite a bit. I expect a lot of these specs may change as I test it and see how it feels. As of now, here are the frame changes:

Leading Edge

Nitro Strong (100Sixteen Leaidng Edge) -> P3x (Tempest Leaing Edge)

For a team kite, I think I want a relatively stiff, but consistent flex through the leading edge so that the leading edge can remain fairly straight and maintain good cornering even when overpowered.

Spine

5pt (100Sixteen Spine) -> P3x (Tempest Spine)

Like the leading edge, I'm going for somewhat stiff and consistent. I don't necessarily want the spine to be bending under preassure.

Upper Spreader

P100 (100Sixteen US) -> 5mm pultruded carbon (Tempest US)

The upper spreader doesn't much as much of a difference as other things, but I didn't want it to be too stiff. I generally want more flex in the spreaders to allow the spine to fall back under pressure and maintain speed.

Lower Spreader

Nitro Strong (100Sixteen LS) -> 5pt (Tempest LS)

Nitro Strong is very stiff. I want more flex here to allow the speint to fall back under pressure, making for more consistent speed even when overloaded.

Standoffs

3mm fiberglass + 3mm carbon (100Sixteen Standoffs) -> Single 3mm fiberglass

This is the main area where I really wanted more flex. I need to lower spreader to flex a bit, but I really want the standoffs to be able to bend out of the way in order for that spine to sit back like I want.

Winglet batten

1.3mm carbon

This is just here to hold the winglet out. 1.3mm feels a bit too stiff, so I've ordered something smaller to see if I like that more.

Bag

I've also been playing with the bag some more. I got some hex ripstop fabric that I want to use for more of the body of my bags to reduce the total weight and stiffness of them. I think this ripstop is very nice, but it is a bit heavier than I expected. Still lighter than canvas though.

I've also added a new piece of embrodiery to the back of the bag: my new watty.us logo.