REVIEW: BOW KITE VS. NON-BOW KITE
INTELLIGENCE: COMPARISON

Advantages
1. DEPOWER
2. RANGE
3. RELAUNCH
4. EFFICIENCY

Its often overwhelming to navigate the many different types of kites offered today. There are Bow kites, classic C kites and a host of Hybrid shapes. Since most kites today are comprised of slightly different outlines and a cascading bridle to support the leading edge its often difficult to tell each of them apart. Here is a quick overview of what makes a bow kite not only different, but superior in performance, efficiency and relaunch. Read on and see why the Cabrinha bow kites are light years ahead of the competition.

Efficient Airflow
The signature characteristics of a bow kite are the generous amount of sweep in the wing tips and the prominent concave in the trailing edge. These two features work together to provide a kite with a trailing edge shape that matches the leading edge. This is the most important feature of any kite when discussing clean airflow over the canopy.

In the case of a non bow kite without the swept tips and concave trailing edge, the trailing edge does not match the leading edge when flying under load. This creates a major disruption in the airflow over the canopy. The change in shape causes the center of the kite to lift and the wing tips to be sheeted in which makes the kite fly slower through the sky especially when flying on the upstroke.

A bow kite, with its concave trailing edge, maintains its trailing edge shape relative the the leading edge arc, providing a clean and true foil. This feature by itself is responsible for the incredible efficiency and wide wind range of a Cabrinha kite.

Instant Relaunch
The next major benefit comes in terms of relaunching. The bow kites, with their constant curved leading edges and swept wing tips form a shape that quickly unsticks and rolls off the water. The generous sweep in the wing tips helps to provide reverse lift which quickly raises the kite off of the water.

As you can see, the bow kites have many features that provide a higher level of performance, efficiency, and a relaunch second to none. From beginner to pro, all levels of riding benefit from the bow kite design. If the kite is anything less than a true ‘bow’ kite, you are not getting the full benefit of all this type of kite has to offer.

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