Comparison to the standard Roam coming shortly ? ?
The East coast, at least Newcastle, is still in the frustration season. Almost there! Longer days, warmer weather, but stilllll waiting for those sea breezes. This type material (lightweight airframe) is clearly the next generation of kite development. The 1st real advancement since the introduction of bridles, prior to that, 4 lines replacing 2. And perhaps the greatest advancement of all, 2 lines replacing 1. Remember the excitement of your diamond kite :) Of course we still haven't seen the negatives of this particular material, time will tell. But more generally, lightweight air frame is definitely a total game changer. Lets face it, development had stagnated, a new model each 2nd year, sometimes every 3rd! Looks like OR is the 1st, pity they don't have a great presence in oz. But again we have real excitement in the evolution of our sport. Yeee Bloody Harrr !!!

billygreen said..

COL said..
Comparison to the standard Roam coming shortly ? ?
The East coast, at least Newcastle, is still in the frustration season. Almost there! Longer days, warmer weather, but stilllll waiting for those sea breezes. This type material (lightweight airframe) is clearly the next generation of kite development. The 1st real advancement since the introduction of bridles, prior to that, 4 lines replacing 2. And perhaps the greatest advancement of all, 2 lines replacing 1. Remember the excitement of your diamond kite :) Of course we still haven't seen the negatives of this particular material, time will tell. But more generally, lightweight air frame is definitely a total game changer. Lets face it, development had stagnated, a new model each 2nd year, sometimes every 3rd! Looks like OR is the 1st, pity they don't have a great presence in oz. But again we have real excitement in the evolution of our sport. Yeee Bloody Harrr !!!

My only reservation - as it is cutting edge new material, what happens when the material is punctured and torn? Do sail repairers have access to the fabric to patch it? Can it be stitched the same way dacron can? do sail repairers know how to work with this new material? would i be left with an expensive bag or jacket made from a kite canopy?

That would be a very expensive bag or jacket. Retail prices are other worldly, to say the least!

I think what he's asking is do you need to repair Aluula with Aluula or can you use regular Dacron - I'm guessing you would have to use Aluula making the cost of materials higher on the repair - can you estimate how much more expensive the repair would be or too hard department?

Sandfoot said..
I think what he's asking is do you need to repair Aluula with Aluula or can you use regular Dacron - I'm guessing you would have to use Aluula making the cost of materials higher on the repair - can you estimate how much more expensive the repair would be or too hard department?

I don't repair kites so I'm not going to guess costs.
The closing seams are more technical with more stitching so it will simply take more time if a LE or strut needs to be opened up for repairs. This would be the majority of any extra costs, regardless if you use Dacron or Aluula.

However the material characteristics should prevent a massive LE blow out to the extent of an inflated dacron failure, so I guess the same initial damage may actually be less expensive to fix.

smook said..

COL said..
This is an exotic material at this point in time, it being much stronger has enabled them to increase the inflation pressure to 9psi, in turn allowing smaller diameter frame, and so a further weight saving. Although they've felt the need for a better/stronger seem design it's still just a sewing machine assembly, it's not rocket surgery. If you're stressing about repair costs I doubt you'll ever own one in the 1st place. Of course it's not for everyone.

Agree with Col In 13 years of kiting I have never had to repair the frame/ struts of my kites Yes have had times to repair canopy with a patch from self launching, landing So the question is what are you doing to need repair to the frame Note the Aluula is only in the frame and is stronger and smaller diameter which would lead to less chance to damage Have been using 6 m roam Aluula in 25 to 40 knots with self landing and launching on sand a number of times No issues Loving the kites

A leading edge can explode easily from being folded backward. On 2 occasions I have seen an inexperienced kiter catch/land a kite and not grab the kite correctly, allowing the LE to fold backwards, resulting in a LE blowout.
I have blown out struts from hard sending/looping and seen others with strut blowouts.

IanR said..
Have they introduced the Aluula bladder material yet or are they shipping with the PU bladder like the demos that where around earlier this year.
If they are could someone post a photo of it and are there any special requirements for fixing these bladders

PU bladders mate.

HI GUYS,
been awhile, very busy with family and new kite shop, that and every time I stick my head in here i get it bitten off. Lol.

There is one kite repairer in Aus stocking Aluula meterial. Thats me. Im Ocean Rodeos prefered repairer, as I am to a few other brands. They have spent a bit of time with me about design and meterial requirements, and I stock aluula meterial. Enough blowing smoke.

ALUULA is a special meterial, and there are some special requirements when working with it. There is no need for special needles, infact Dacron is alot harder on needles than Aluula. Dacron is a very tight weave, aluula is not. For arguments sake, you can even sew dacron to it. Thats ok! It wouldnt look so great but it would work fine.

I wont go into great detail about what must be done to sew it on here. A: someone will disagree/argue, B: I just dont have the time.

IF another repairer needs to know, Im only a phone call away, Ryan and I have bounced professional opinions off eachother in the past, and Im more than happy to have that conversation via phone.

IAN in regards to bladders, they are still PU. Perfectly normal to repair. I wont stipulate when the aluula brand bladders will be introduced because I dont represent for Ocean Rodeo/Aluula, any more then just being a dealer.

For anyone wondering, I froth these kites but Im an Ozone Pimp first and for most. Hate all you want. Its a strange world, Ill keep doing me.

Apologies for any typos, mis spellings.

GOOD WINDS
Adam