Bought a 9m Nova 3 weeks ago and took it over to WA with me, had a ball, kited at Gerro, Cervantes, Lancelin, Woodies, Augusta and more, everywhere I went i got heaps of wind ranging from 13 knots to 33 knots which was good for me, not so good for the gf. Anyway I love the kite, flies like a mosquito handles really well, smooth transitions and nice jumps, just wondering if anyone else had one that i could talk to and compare, especially to do with spinning and sore arms from holding on with no relief!!

Cheers Bowski

I take it, you are back in civilisation.

It seems you impressed the locals at Gero with the Nova.

If the velcro stopper is still original, then try putting a firm but loose cable tie arounfd the velcro so that you can slide it down to reset the stopper then slide it up to hold the velcro together.

When you put force on the bar that tries to seperate the two centre lines, the velcro releases from one side and halves the force required to release the stop. The cable tie keeps it together.

I am about to try a mod that brings the stop closer, but will require a manual release of the stopper. Obviously this defeats the idea of let go and dump, but for those who like control over when dumping all the power it could be a solution.

Best Winds
Tony L
ABK

Thanks Tony

Yeah it was a bit of a novelty as not many crew had seen it before, I only wish i had of known how to fly it better, have learnt more since coming home by speaking to Stan at Takoon. Might have to have a look at your cable tie set up when you are down next, give me a call. I put a SS stopper ball on but it totally defeats the full depower, the kite flew well in under 15 knots, couldn't believe it, as I am 78kg's, had it out down at Augusta when it was pretty windy, the pole boarders were calling it 25 knots at sea level, considering there was a sand dune which the wind had to go over to get to the inlet it must have been another 8 knots at least 25 meters up??

Thanks for your help

I also have a 9mtr Nova & Love it in strong winds.
I have put a long static harness loop on the bar with quick release.
If you are riding in consistant winds you can set the trim of the kite & hook in. Just be ready to pull down & twist the bar to regain your depower when the gusts start to hit.

That's a 12m review and probably as in depth as you would ever want.

It's a pity such an indepth appraisal was not around on the 9m.

As far as the stopper goes the quick fix that still allows for pushing thru the stopper, is a cable tie around the velcro firm enough to be able to be slid on. this stops the velcro half separating and gives enough tension to let bar rest on it ok.

I don't agree with his bar size conclusion, and in fact think a larger bar would improve low end performance on the 12m. However it is a kite that really fires up above 17-18kts and around 22kts it becomes truely the pick of the Genre.

best winds
Tony L

another option is to unstitch the grey sheath just below the velcro and pull it up to cover the velcro

I fixed the crap velcro bar bumper on my 12m Nova by removing it!

I replaced it with a Cabrina crossbow stopper ball, I had to remove the stainless steel sheeve in the middle of the bar to make it work!

I also found that the kite would fly best when it was fully depowered, and when it was fully powered up the kite would want to fly backwards. I have now taken 6 inches out of the line that attached to the depower strap. This has made the kite fly allot better, I would highly recommend changing it!

I hope that Takoon wake up to themselves and retro fit a bar fix to get rid of the dangerous velcro!