Dyno 2013 - What's new? by Ken Winner

Low Weight
Low weight is a key feature of the Dyno and all measures have been taken to strip out materials that do not contribute to on-water performance. For example, there is no single-point inflation system on the Dyno simply because SPI increases weight without improving performance.

The performance benefits of low weight are mainly:

(1) the Dyno will easily fly when quite underpowered. The 17 will readily stay in the air when there is too little wind for an 80-kilo rider to plane on a big race board.

(2) when flying the Dyno up and down for power (as when racing downwind), the Dyno's low weight helps it to make a powerful upstroke.

Aspect Ratio
Aspect ratio remains low enough for quick turning but high enough for good aerodynamic efficiency.

5-line ability
While the Dyno will work as a 4-line kite, it retains 5-line ability for these reasons:

(1) Easy relaunch in light winds. Even riders who like four-line kites often add a fifth line to make relaunch possible in super-light wind.

(2) Safety. When you need to get total, complete and perfect depower in half a second, nothing else works as well as a 5th line.

(3) Easy, safe self-launching and self-landing.

Thin tapered struts with semi-segmented and conical construction
Struts are tapered from a fairly large diameter where they meet the LE to much smaller diameters 25% back. The big joint with the LE gives more rigidity to the structure of the inflated elements. The taper to a smaller diameter provides lower drag.

The semi-segmented construction gives a smooth upper curve to the struts – an aerodynamically superior shape – while taking up excess cloth and preventing unsightly wrinkles in the lower surface of the strut.

The struts go to a conical construction at the 25% point. This eliminates seams and therefore removes a point of potential seam failure in the part of the strut that bends the most on the beach.

Strut configuration
The 2012 Dyno has seven struts for extra stability – mainly appreciated by heavier riders taking the Dyno to the limit in powered conditions.

The 2013 Dyno is more narrowly focused on racing, which requires more flexibility and the lowest possible weight, so the new Dyno has only five struts.

The tip strut is closer to the tip to support the thin leading edge and provide stability during hard turning. The quarter strut is a bit closer to the tip strut so as to support the flat section of canopy between tip and quarter struts.

The large span between quarter and center struts provides the bulk of the power of the kite. This area is not heavily controlled with struts because it needs to be free to luff or fill, depending on wind strength.

More and different sizes
The Dyno was originally a light-wind kite but has evolved into a light-wind and race kite and now comes in sizes 7, 9, 11 and 13 in addition to the original 15 and 17.

The new 17 is larger than the 2012 Dyno 17 and has significantly more power. Sizes 15 and 13 are also more powerful than corresponding Dynos from 2012.

Graduated cloth weight
The inflated elements of the 2012 Dyno were entirely built of a light but extremely stable new Dacron. For 2013 we are keeping this lighter Dacron in the small-diameter inflated elements – the struts and the tips of the leading edge – while going with our standard, heavier-duty Dacron in the large-diameter parts of the leading edge. This heavier Dacron permits higher inflation pressures and thus greater stability in the leading edge.

Segmentation
We've added more segments to the geometry of the 2013 Dyno. This helps ensure good fidelity to design shape.

Turning speed
Owing to the fewer struts and lower weight, turning speed has been improved. This is most noticeable when flying the Dyno up and down on a deep downwind point of sail.

Leading edge diameter
Leading edge diameters are basically unchanged in the center of the Dyno but tip diameters are smaller. This change provides a bit less aerodynamic drag.

New bridle
The new Dyno bridle has no pulleys. This gives a bit less weight and drag but also means that the 2013 Dyno must be flown on either (1) a 5-line bar or (2) a four-line bar with front-line safety leash.

Profile tweaks
Canopy profiles in the outboard quarters are quite flat for low drag. Canopy profiles at and between center and quarter struts are deeper and more powerful than in 2012.

Power vs. depower
The various changes have led to better power and depower.

Relaunch
The lower weight, deeper profiles and new geometry help the 2013 Dyno to relaunch quickly.

Sky Solbach Dyno:
"The new Dyno is something totally new and is hands down the fastest kite I have flown to date. It constantly shoots to the edge of the wind window while maintaining really consistent power delivery that carries you upwind. Downwind, the new Dyno is equally impressive. I can't wait to see what the North Race Team can do on the race course this year with this tool in their hands!"

 

 

The new Evo 2013 is out!!!

Vegas Development

The testing and fine-tuning started with the small sizes, from 6 to 10m. Even with just those sizes we made some major changes, I’d even go so far as to say a small Revolution! The 6, 7, 8 and 9m sizes are the best kite designs I have ever built so far. The very first prototypes for this design were already being tested in South Africa back in 2011!! They had been based on the 2011 model but with a different panel layout and alternative profiles. At the end of the development of the Vegas 2012, I knew this system had been developed to its limits – time for a change. So I started to invent a new Vegas platform parallel to the existing shapes, not wanting to mess anything up, the Vegas is such a great kite, but I was looking for that extra element. As it often happens in life, after many prototypes and designs on the computer, the final piece of the puzzle came from a direction I first didn’t think of, it happened during the final phase of the Neo 2012 development. This means, the Vegas 2013 is based more on the Neo design than on the last Vegas design! It might sound strange and may lead to you thinking the Neo was developed for three struts, which it definitely wasn’t at all. The reason is all the new elementary knowledge about steering-input, the stiffness of structures and new Tip-Layouts of three strut kites! But don’t you worry, the Vegas is still a pure Vegas. Just the new results made me rethink some common physics in kite design and made me able to design the best Vegas ever. I’d even say, the best high depower C-kite ever…


What’s new
CHANGES FROM 2012

-More profile in between centre and quarter strut.
-Bigger profile creating bigger pop.
-Shortened tips.
-No tip battens.
-Open radius, even more Cshape.
-Edges in the tips.
-Closing Trailing Edge diameter for more pop and hangtime.
-Changed front pigtails for more variety between Freestyle and Wakestyle.

What’s the result, how does it fly?
FREESTYLE SETTING

-Harmonic, light and very sensitive, progressive increasing sheeting forces.
-Soft steering forces with the best bar feedback in the North Kiteboarding range.
-Massive depower on a short depower stroke.
-Easy hooked in performance with incredible jumping abilities.
-Fantastic control during kiteloops.

WAKESTYLE SETTING
-Significantly more pop during unhooked moves.
-Much longer power delay moment during unhooked moves (the moment during the   move when the kite is nearly pressure less and gives time to complete complex moves).
-Plenty of pop, even during light winds.
-Catches the rider quickly and easily after radical kiteloops.

Designers Tip
-Kites under 10m should always been flown with longest 22m lines.
-Wakestylers should use the inner setting of the bar connection.
-The kite remains much more predictable during the hardest tricks.
-The power delay is recognizable, but not felt as slow, but predictable and constant.

The Vegas never had any performance problems. So what does it take to make it better? It ’s thebalance between the ultimate bar feedback and using that to get the best performance out of the kite. The Vegas 2013 communicates in a very special way with the rider, which has never been there before. Even riders used to other brands recognize in the first few moments the potential and fun the Vegas has to offer. Even without being the best rider on the planet.

Tips and Tricks for your bar setup

Tips & Tricks for your bar setup:

So, do you actually know how long your lines are? No? You should! And if you actually know, do you know for which differences the line length is responsible for!? We’re at North Kiteboarding are fiddling around a lot with different line lengths, different diameters of the lines and the quality of the material. Due to all our experience over the years, trying to find the best setup for any type of rider and any kite model and size, we decided this year to offer 5 different line lengths! Please take the time and take part in our thoughts and find the exactly right line length for you:

The length of your flying lines can make a huge difference to the way your kite flies. Different styles of riding also require different line lengths, and lastly different kites and different kite sizes are designed to be flown with different line lengths. Some riders often overlook these facts; they get new kites but don’t bother to match the kite and their riding style to the correct lines. The bar is your first point of contact with the kite, it is the connection between you and your kite and it is important to get it right. And it’s actually an easy formula: The shorter the lines, the more direct and faster the kite turns. The longer the lines, the more power you can generate out of them! Choose a North Trust Bar, and choose the right line set up for your style of riding.

19m:    (70% Handling / 30% Power)

Super fast and reactive tuning speeds, shorter lines are best for extreme freestyle and crazy kiteloops. They are also excellent for wave riding, where kite turning speed is important. Wakestyle riders like the close connection to the kite too. The disadvantage is you lose some of the low end power.

- Fast and reactive turning

- For extreme Freestyle, Wakestyle and Waves

- Tight, super fast and hard kite loops

22m:  (60% Handling / 40% Power)

This is the favorite length of our freestyle and wave team! These 22m lines are still great for getting lots of speed from the kite, perfect for wave riding and freestyle. Not as extreme as the 19m lines, they still lose a bot of low end power.

- Reactive turning

- Fast kite loops

- Favorite set up from our freestyle riders

- Best choice for waveriding

24m:  (50% Handling / 50% Power)

The best choice for an all round length, good turning speed combined with good power make 24m the perfect choice for a lot of riders. Great for freeride, waves and freestyle.

- The most versatile length

- Great for all round freeriding

- Good low end and a good turning speed

- High jumps as you can “load” the lines

- The recommended size for a one bar quiver!!

27m: (40% Handling / 60% Power )

The extra length means extra power, get a little more range out of your quiver by adding this bar with the longer lines. They are also great for jumping as you can really “load” the lines when you edge and send the kite back through the window.

- Enormous low end

- Huge jumps

- Lots of lift

32m:  (25% Handling / 75 % Power )

The choice of the North Kiteboarding Race Team, longer lines mean even more power, but the kite turns at a slower rate. This suits racers looking for the ultimate in pull in the often gusty and light conditions they are faced with.

- Perfect for light winds!

- Extra power

- North Kiteboarding Race Team approved

Advantages in 5 short sentences:

- Choose exactly the right bar for your needs

- Different bars with the perfect line length to suit your style

- Get a different feeling and more range from your kite

- Highest quality lines with the best performance

- Exceptional durability

We hope you gained a little bit of interesting kite knowledge and that it wasn’t too nerdy! ;-)

As soon as you start to experiment with your own kites and bars, we’re sure you’ll find out what we’re talking about!

The new TWINTIP range - special focus: TeXtreme boards

The huge twintip range again has to offer a lot of amazing boards, the versatile X-Ride, the all new lighter and smoother Jaime and of course the top of the range, the Teamseries, the Select and first time ever the light wind weapon Spike Edition! These three boards are built out of a very special material - TeXtreme® carbon, which is also used in Formula 1:

High Performance Carbon Technology

TeXtreme®

-Spread tow technology Spread Tow Fabrics (STF)
-The Carbon spread tow of the Formula 1 Champions

The patented TeXtreme® spread tow STF structure makes the composite 20% lighter, with an unprecedented increase in overall performance. This is based on the fact that the fibres are straighter in TeXtreme® than in any standard conventional carbon reinforcements. As a result of the optimized fibre structure, the end product will hold a larger amount of carbon fibres, at a minimum size and weight.

The outcome of this unique technology when applied to kiteboarding:
A board with high fibre volume content, low weight and enhanced strength!

How does it affect your personal riding experience:

-The upwind ability is recognisably improved.

-The way the board handles and feels is definitely unique, they feel much smoother over the water than traditional boards. The pop that the board can generate is also improved, it is also easier to release the board for loaded jumps and getting the timing right for jumping will feel intuitional. TeXtreme® boards are just like your own magic carpet; the board does all the work for you!

The Select, Teamseries and Spike Edition are the high performance boards in which we are utilising this amazing technology at the moment. Whenever you get the chance to strap one of these to your feet: feel the difference yourself!

-New carbon fibre technology noticeable improves your board´s performance.
-20% lighter than conventional carbon reinforcements.
-Unprecedented mechanical performance.
-Superior surface finish.

Did you already experience the magic feeling!?