Please Help. Kite keeps on falling to the left. Possible Fix?

[No Way]

Greetings,

I have recently purchased a couple of of your 3D nylon Hammerhead
shark kites from Costco for my girls. The brand is XKites and they
have a website as well. However, I couldn't find the kites I
purchased in their online catalog.

The problem I'm having is that one of the kites has a tendency to
fall off to the left, no matter what the wind condition. The other
kite flies without too much problems at all as long as there is
sufficient wind.

I have examined and compared both kites to see what could be causing
the one kite to continually fall off to the left. Soon after it gets
airborne, it will tilt to the left, then will turn to the left and
even if I rotate to keep up with its change in position, it will
eventually nosedive and fall off to the left.

Can you please suggest a fix for this? What normally causes a kite to
veer off to one particular side all the time and how can this be
resolved? Thanks for your time and courtesy.

[No Way]

I actually found the very same kites I purchased on their website. I
don't know how much this will help, but here it is anyway,
http://www.xkites.com/costco_c_hammerhead.html

The link only shows a drawing of the kite, but the mouth is open and
the tail end is also has an opening. You can actually view the
assembly instructions by downloading it from the downloading links on
that page.

I would very much appreciate it if someone would kindly take a look at
it and see what the possible causes may be that's making one of the
kites fall off to the left as described below. Again, thank you very
much for your time and courtesy!

Post by No Way
Greetings,
I have recently purchased a couple of of your 3D nylon Hammerhead
shark kites from Costco for my girls. The brand is XKites and they
have a website as well. However, I couldn't find the kites I
purchased in their online catalog.
The problem I'm having is that one of the kites has a tendency to
fall off to the left, no matter what the wind condition. The other
kite flies without too much problems at all as long as there is
sufficient wind.
I have examined and compared both kites to see what could be causing
the one kite to continually fall off to the left. Soon after it gets
airborne, it will tilt to the left, then will turn to the left and
even if I rotate to keep up with its change in position, it will
eventually nosedive and fall off to the left.
Can you please suggest a fix for this? What normally causes a kite to
veer off to one particular side all the time and how can this be
resolved? Thanks for your time and courtesy.

[Wm...]

Post by No Way
The problem I'm having is that one of the kites has a tendency to
fall off to the left, no matter what the wind condition. The other
kite flies without too much problems at all as long as there is
sufficient wind.
I have examined and compared both kites to see what could be causing
the one kite to continually fall off to the left. Soon after it gets
airborne, it will tilt to the left, then will turn to the left and
even if I rotate to keep up with its change in position, it will
eventually nosedive and fall off to the left.

That sounds like the material on one side of the kite may have been
stretched.

Post by No Way
Can you please suggest a fix for this? What normally causes a kite to
veer off to one particular side all the time and how can this be
resolved?

Comparing the bridles on the two kites is the other obvious thing.

I am not in the USA or Canada but someone else may suggest you have
bought crappy kites and that you shouldn't really expect much from toys.

[No Way]

On Mon, 28 May 2007 23:50:32 +0100, "Wm..."

Post by Wm...

Post by No Way
The problem I'm having is that one of the kites has a tendency to
fall off to the left, no matter what the wind condition. The other
kite flies without too much problems at all as long as there is
sufficient wind.
I have examined and compared both kites to see what could be causing
the one kite to continually fall off to the left. Soon after it gets
airborne, it will tilt to the left, then will turn to the left and
even if I rotate to keep up with its change in position, it will
eventually nosedive and fall off to the left.

That sounds like the material on one side of the kite may have been
stretched.

Post by No Way
Can you please suggest a fix for this? What normally causes a kite to
veer off to one particular side all the time and how can this be
resolved?

Comparing the bridles on the two kites is the other obvious thing.

As I stated above.

Post by Wm...
I am not in the USA or Canada but someone else may suggest you have
bought crappy kites and that you shouldn't really expect much from toys.

You're clearly implying it. Thanks for nothing.

[r***@rantrex.net]

Post by No Way

Post by Wm...
I am not in the USA or Canada but someone else may suggest you have
bought crappy kites and that you shouldn't really expect much from toys.

You're clearly implying it. Thanks for nothing.

Just gotta love newsgroups don't you?!?

Actually, I regard all my kites as toys, even the expensive ones. And
my cheap toys still fly with some degree of success.

I set a personal record this week, buying a foil off eBay for one
cent. Sure there was $19 postage involved, but I will be surprised if
the kite doesn't fly okay. Incidentally, I got out bid a couple of
times -- six cents and 11 cents -- before I finally managed to jag one
at the rock bottom price. ;-)

My previous records were:

- $2.50 diamond kites from a bargain store -- I say that the kites fly
like crap, but that is just because I don't like diamond kites. The
fly perfectly well for a diamond kite; I just prefer kites that fly at
higher angles.

- $14.99 stunt kites, again from a bargain store. They are no
performance ballet kite, but I have had many enjoyable hours buzzing
around the skies.

Sure my more expensive kites fly with a level of precision and control
that I don't get from the bargain kites, but sometimes I just want a
kite that I can handover to a beginner/child to bash around the
paddock.

Sorry, no idea about the original question of the hammerhead kites not
flying well. Maybe try putting a small tail on the side opposite the
one going down. It may provide a little extra drag to balance the
kite. Just a thought.

My 2.1c (inc GST)

REx.

1 x Prism Stylus P3
1 x Premier Kites Speed Foil 1x
1 x High as a Kite Rascal Stunt Kite
1 x HQ Ready Sleddy
3 x miscellaneous deltas
4 x bargain shop stunters (they fly well!)
3 x bargain shop diamonds (they fly crap ...)

http://www.rantrex.net/?cat=4

[Wm...]

Tue, 29 May 2007 02:45:21

Post by r***@rantrex.net

Post by No Way

Post by Wm...
I am not in the USA or Canada but someone else may suggest you have
bought crappy kites and that you shouldn't really expect much from toys.

You're clearly implying it. Thanks for nothing.

Just gotta love newsgroups don't you?!?
Actually, I regard all my kites as toys, even the expensive ones. And
my cheap toys still fly with some degree of success.

Ah, but how many of them come with instructions for hanging them from
the ceiling as a decoration like the one the OP is asking about?

[r***@rantrex.net]

Post by Wm...
Ah, but how many of them come with instructions for hanging them from
the ceiling as a decoration like the one the OP is asking about?

Yeah. Good point. I wondered what the loop on the shark's back was
for.

Now, how to hang a 20' x 50' Trilobite in my living room. ;-)

REx. (woof!)

[Wm...]

Wed, 30 May 2007 02:54:01

Post by r***@rantrex.net

Post by Wm...
Ah, but how many of them come with instructions for hanging them from
the ceiling as a decoration like the one the OP is asking about?

Yeah. Good point. I wondered what the loop on the shark's back was
for.

Hook attachment point when using it as an artificial lure for catching
bigger sharks.

Post by r***@rantrex.net
Now, how to hang a 20' x 50' Trilobite in my living room. ;-)

I demand jpegs. The one I mainly want to see is the expression on your
partner's face when you suggest it to them :)

[Wm...]

Post by No Way
On Mon, 28 May 2007 23:50:32 +0100, "Wm..."

Post by Wm...

Post by No Way
The problem I'm having is that one of the kites has a tendency to
fall off to the left, no matter what the wind condition. The other
kite flies without too much problems at all as long as there is
sufficient wind.
I have examined and compared both kites to see what could be causing
the one kite to continually fall off to the left. Soon after it gets
airborne, it will tilt to the left, then will turn to the left and
even if I rotate to keep up with its change in position, it will
eventually nosedive and fall off to the left.

That sounds like the material on one side of the kite may have been
stretched.

Post by No Way
Can you please suggest a fix for this? What normally causes a kite to
veer off to one particular side all the time and how can this be
resolved?

Comparing the bridles on the two kites is the other obvious thing.

As I stated above.

Post by Wm...
I am not in the USA or Canada but someone else may suggest you have
bought crappy kites and that you shouldn't really expect much from toys.

You're clearly implying it. Thanks for nothing.

No, I didn't know either way, that is why I said "may". As others have
said many of us see our kites as toys, I wasn't sure if the kites were
meant to be good fliers or simply something for a child to tug around
behind them.

[Bill Benzel]

Wm... <***@blackhole.do-not-spam.me.uk> wrote:
:
: I am not in the USA or Canada but someone else may suggest you have
: bought crappy kites and that you shouldn't really expect much from toys.
:

I have a few of these "Costco" kites and they fly very well. Sure,
they're toys, but aren't all your kites toys too?

I think the easiest solution is to return the poor performer to Costco
and get another one!!

[Wm...]

Post by Bill Benzel
: I am not in the USA or Canada but someone else may suggest you have
: bought crappy kites and that you shouldn't really expect much from toys.
I have a few of these "Costco" kites and they fly very well. Sure,
they're toys, but aren't all your kites toys too?
I think the easiest solution is to return the poor performer to Costco
and get another one!!

Maybe you can suggest a kite designed to fly from Costco that the OP
might ask for in exchange?

[Russell Janiszewski]

I'm not familer with this kite but Check your side spar lenght. On most
delta type kites if these two spars anr not the same or not pushed up all
the way the kite will have the tendancy to veir off to the right or the
left.

Post by Bill Benzel
: I am not in the USA or Canada but someone else may suggest you have
: bought crappy kites and that you shouldn't really expect much from toys.
I have a few of these "Costco" kites and they fly very well. Sure,
they're toys, but aren't all your kites toys too?
I think the easiest solution is to return the poor performer to Costco
and get another one!!

Maybe you can suggest a kite designed to fly from Costco that the OP might
ask for in exchange?
--
Wm ... Reply-To: address valid for at least 7 days
the curious incident of the dog in the night-time - Mark Haddon
Everyman - Philip Roth

[No Way]

Great, I'll check that out. Thanks!

On Wed, 30 May 2007 17:32:26 GMT, "Russell Janiszewski"

Post by Russell Janiszewski
I'm not familer with this kite but Check your side spar lenght. On most
delta type kites if these two spars anr not the same or not pushed up all
the way the kite will have the tendancy to veir off to the right or the
left.

Post by Bill Benzel
: I am not in the USA or Canada but someone else may suggest you have
: bought crappy kites and that you shouldn't really expect much from toys.
I have a few of these "Costco" kites and they fly very well. Sure,
they're toys, but aren't all your kites toys too?
I think the easiest solution is to return the poor performer to Costco
and get another one!!

Maybe you can suggest a kite designed to fly from Costco that the OP might
ask for in exchange?
--
Wm ... Reply-To: address valid for at least 7 days
the curious incident of the dog in the night-time - Mark Haddon
Everyman - Philip Roth

[No Way]

Post by Bill Benzel
: I am not in the USA or Canada but someone else may suggest you have
: bought crappy kites and that you shouldn't really expect much from toys.
I have a few of these "Costco" kites and they fly very well. Sure,
they're toys, but aren't all your kites toys too?
I think the easiest solution is to return the poor performer to Costco
and get another one.

Yep, good ol' Costco and their return policies :)