01 Vertex Rib design. The new North Kiteboarding As we observed that the canopy shape was not perfectly fair and smooth where the original ribs were located, we decided to change rig design in a way that would allow us to put Cam Battens at the seams where the middle three ribs are located. This required a rib redesign effort that eventually resulted in the Vertex Rib design has the main advantage that it allows Cam Battens at every seam between the tip ribs and thus gives the boat kite a perfectly fair and smooth shape from tip to tip.
02 These loops attached to the inside of the wingtips make it easier to hold the kite for bodydrag rescue.
03 These connectors prevent the number one cause of kite accidents by ensuring that front lines cannot be attached to the back of the kite and back lines cannot be attached to the front.
04 The low-drag ribs require a high inflation pressure, thus all valves at the chambers are self-closing. Thanks to the worked-in drainage functionality, the air can be let out within a few seconds.
05 This material fulfils two functions: 1. -- It adds protection and increases durability. 2. -- It strengthens and stiffens the profile. Snakeskin is made of 2.1 oz ripstop, which is twice as strong as conventional canopy material.
06 A major concern in this project has been batten durability. We approached this issue by choosing new, thin, soft battens made out of flexible Nylon.
07 Batten Pockets are built of sticky-back Insignia cloth lining the canopy surface where battens are located. This combines with heavy, abrasion-resistant nylon fabric on surfaces that come between the batten and sources of abrasion damage, such as hard sand beaches. We’ve allowed a Rhino prototype to tumble in surf and white water for a time to test the construction. There was no damage to batten pockets or canopy. It also helps keep the kite tips from flogging too much when the kite is left on the beach in strong winds.
08 The new North Kiteboarding 2 Pump System makes rigging significantly faster and easier. The leading edge is inflated separately from the diagonal struts. This offers the follow-ing advantages: precise inflation of the various struts to the optimum pressure and simple packing of the kite with inflated diagonal struts.