Cabrinha Crossbow / Takoon Nova Preview


The 2006 product line from Takoon and Cabrinha is very promising. Kiteboarding has seen relatively few revolutionary changes. The 4 line system that allows you to depower your kite, and the 5 line depower and safety system being two revolutionary changes.

The third revolutionary change is a hybrid kite offered by Takoon and Cabrinha - a cross between a foil and an inflatable kite.

Bruno Legaignoux, the inventor and patent holder of the inflatable kite, designed a new type of kite. The kite is a hybrid between a foil and an inflatable kite. The reasoning behind this is simple : Foil kites have a more aerodynamic shape, and inflatable kites turn faster. Put the two together, add a good safety and depower system, and kiteboarding as we know it takes a new direction.

Bruno Legaignoux has patented this design. So far, two companies will release kites based on this concepts. Takoon is the first company to bring out a kite called the Takoon Nova. Cabrinha brought a license from Bruno Legaignoux and will be releasing their version of this kite soon, called the Cabrinha Crossbow.

The Takoon Nova will only have a 4 line control bar, yet it will give you all of the advantages of the 5th line system. At this stage we cannot confirm anything else, but there are talks about being able to depower the kite fully whilst on a wave.

Although the Takoon Nova and the Cabrinha Crossbow will be very similar in terms of kite design, Cabrinha is said to have put a lot of development into their control bar - offering a good depower and safety system. Both the Nova and Crossbow have a bridle system on the kites.

You can download a video clip of the Takoon Nova here.

A handy feature on the crossbow kites is easy access to the leading edge valve when the kite is lying leading edge down on the beach.

Article Comments: (Add Comments)

Waddaya mean? Modern foils relaunch without problems from water... and they don't sink. Both Flysurfer and Peter Lynn have things sussed already with foils for wateruse... so why bother with pumping kites up??? The FS Speed already has tons of performance no other kites has.

Gurkin

Great pics, looks very interesting and different.

But what are they like to fly?

Windy Miler

Well done iKiteboarding - scooped the rest of the world! Other forums are pointing to this article for the hungry hoards wanting more info on the Crossbow.

CoastPop

At last some serious progress in kite shape.
Pity (looks like) you did not have enough wind for flying this new toy.
Any comments about the handling in the air ?
Nico.

Nico

I spoke to a guy who got a chance to try it a couple of months ago. Apparently its got full depower at the bar, and relaunches straight away, no hassle. Awesome.

BeegSug

I learned kiteboarding with a kite like that 4 years ago in Leucate.
The brand was named kitech. It was exactly the same concept as a foil kite but with a inlfatable leading edge and tubes.
that brand didn't last for a long time.
I have to say also that the kite kept falling out of the sky.
I went over your head and then fell like a stone.


ariane

Dude I saw a guy hot launching it with harly any pull.

baba

A New "Nova" Video is available on www.kite4life.com

:-)

See u
Kite 4 Life Team

Kite4Life

Best kiteboarding also have a kite like this!
The Best Nemesis '06

M

Have tried this very kite, along with a 12, & the 16 by Cabrinaha.
I was very skeptable, and have been mostly disapointed in all the late "New" improvements. I am a big person (6'6", 310lbs) so know I don't fall into the typ. kiter.

I flew these kites when noone was able to fly anything, and tried to make it fall out ot the sky. I even pulled the front lines way down and let them go. It would not fall out of the sky. Then when I did lay it down in the sand, It was easy to relaunch, just like the old Cabrinha video's used to show,,, except this time it did work.
The next day I was able to fly one in 15 mph winds for a very short time. My 20 may have worked??? but the 16 was great! Keep in mind my weight. Even a typ size person was out on the 12 and did fine. I even saw some light weight kid on the 9, and he was going well too.
Very impressive kit. Wish though Cabrinha had a one pump like Takoon. That would be complete!
Jeff

Jeff Rogas

I spent an hour on a 9m Crossbow in 15-35 winds in Hood River 2 weeks ago. I am an intermediate kiter and was skeptical about the benefits of the Crossbow. I had the most fun ever kiting! I jumped twice as high, hangtime improved incredibly, I could ride downwind and upwind with much better control. All this in terrible gusty conditions. I came in and took the 12m out in the same conditions and could hang onto it quite easily. Cannot say enough about these kites! The wind range is awesome.

tom

Hey Kite Boys and Girls, this new concept design being incorporated by Takoon (NOVA) and Cabrinha (Crossbow) have created some seriously heated forum sessions on a global scale!! However, it is quite humerous to identify that the Flexi gang (Flexifoil) created a kite many moons ago that went into production and then was mysteriously terminated that follows a close resemblance!!! Its crazy how people forget!! Anyhow, big points to the guys for trying to continually push the boundaries regarding safety and user-freindliness!!! Let's hope they can withstand the global storm!!
Consistent warm winds to you all!!!!
Savage S.A.

Savage, KZN,South Africa