After reading all these posts about the quality issues of Prism's CHINA SYNDROME ZEPHYR series sport kite that was introduced many many many "MOONS" ago. I GOTTA CHIME IN HERE!
Also many MOON'S ago..at least more than a few (EVEN A FEW OUT AN OPEN CAR WINDOW)....
A fellow addicted BLUE MOONer kite flyer competitior friend of mine..PLUNKED DOWN HIS $200+ for one of those new made in China Zephyr's.
I was invited to try out the NEW CHAMBERS BAY PLAYFIELD FLYING SITE and also to test ride his BRAND NEW ZEPHYR.
OPPS!
It took about 30 seconds of air time to come to the conclusion that Mark's beautiful ZEPHYR UL, design was MORE THAN A HIGHLY COMPERMISED mistake? Add in that suspect workmanship and needless LOFTYEXCESS WEIGHT that actually tipped the scales more than any kite in my bag that day.
Bottom line:
I remember that the wind that first day was actually pretty good....(my Radio Shack sailboater's wind meter ran about 4 mph with gusts to around 8 to 12.) I took a few flights before leaving...but I heard that the following day....that my good Boeing wind tunnel kite addict Ron managed to trade off that New China Zephyr for another slightly used but not abused light wind kite made by Jon & Marianne that was an honest UL.
Over a week ago...FINALLY FOUND A BRAND NEW ZEPHYRS ON A CLOSE OUT DEAL...PRICED RIGHT AT ONLY $125.00...and it arrived just in time for a two day get away to Cannon Beach for two days of FUN IN THE SUN.
BARE BUTT BOTTOM LINE:
After working with this new Prism Zephyr... AND although it still weights more like heavy standard wind range kite.....
this made in China, has found its rightful fun place in my kite bag...IT'S A HOOT N' A HALLA' TO FLY AND NOT CRY ABOUT ATTEMPTING...RADICAL RISKY BUSINESS...
such as WIND TIP WATER SURF DRAGS...ending with letting that kite sink until just the nose is peekin' out of the water..even let a few incoming surf waves over ride the kite...and then quickly draggin it up out of the water...up into the air...snap stalling it...and then followed by a HEALTHY SHAKIN' TO BLOW THE WATER OFF THE KITE.
Simply beautiful...as the setting sun shines through that awesome LIME green sail..with water spraying off behind the kites path as it flies across the wind window.
Even managed to KITE STICK THAT KITE AGAINST THE ECOLA INNS BIG PICTURE WINDOWS OF OUR MOTEL.
For only $125.00 bucks...IT TRULY IS A FANTASTICAL' FUN KITE!
Even more fun....the last HIGH was to take that salt and sand laden kite, STRIP NAKED and then jump into the shower. Humm? my beloved wife still doesn't understand my fettish...NOTHING FEELS QUITE AS GOOD AS WET RIPSTOP AGAINST MY BARE SKINNY OL AZZZZ!!!