K144 - Tempest Prototype #6

I've settled on the Tempest standard and ultralight, but I'd like something lighter still. I experimented with lighter frames on some older standard prototypes, but hit a limit of how light I could get them; I could have gone a bit lighter on the frame, but I don't want a kite that I have to be super careful with.

This prototype is an attempt to make the sail as light as possible to push down that wind range.

No Applique

I made this sail with a single panel on each side to cut weight from extra sail overlap and stitching. Because of this, the panels are too large for me to sublimate my logo onto the sail, so I just wrote info on with a sharpie.

Lighter Fabric

The sail is all Icarex, but most dacron has been replaced with 1.5oz ripstop nylon.

Reduced reinforcement

Mylar reinforcements have been heavily reuced to just a small bit around the standoff to prevent stretching over time.

Lighter, smaller bridle

I've made a new more shallow bridle with ligher wieght bridle line. With the more shallow bridle, I can remove the keeper lines ultimtely reducing weight and drag.

Adjusted standoffs

The 3mm fiberglass standoff overpowers the 2pt lower spreader, so instead of the standoff bending, the standoff bends. I've reduced the length of the standoffs slightly to reduce that stress, but I may consider going to a thinner standoff later.