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The Sceptre

These plans are to make either a 1.8 m or a 2.7 m version of this fun and fast foil.

Best enjoyed in stronger winds the Sceptre is an excellent kite.

Construction:

To build a "Sceptre" is really quite easy. First you need to make yourself a few card templates of the profiles needed. If you look at the example I have drawn below, you will see that each profile is drawn according to its entire length. Draw a base line as long as the given profile length, mark the positions of the vertical lines, then using a set square, mark the appropriate vertical distances as shown in the example. As you can see I have drawn the example profile in percentages. To convert these percentages into measurements, simply divide the profile length by 100, then multiply this new number by the percentage required. Draw a smooth line to connect these points, and your profile is complete. Profiles 1-6 have vent holes cut out to aid inflation. Allow for seams and hems when cutting from material.

Next, make up the bottom skin. The method for doing this is up to you, you can build it up in panels, or in one piece.

Sew on reinforcement patches at the bridle attachment points, these are made of small squares of ripstop with sides of 2.5 cm and are sewn on the inside of the finished sail. On the outside sew on the bridle loops made of folded ripstop as shown in the detail. Make up the top skin. Attach all the profiles to the bottom skin in the correct order. Then attach the top skin. Always sew from the leading edge. Close off the back edge to finish.

Flying:

Flying the Sceptre in a strong wind certainly calls for some fast responses from the flier, as this kite can move at some speed. Turns are tight (almost on a wing tip), and edge of the window flying is good. This is not a power kite, but a fun kite, and I hope you have fun, both building it and flying it.

Happy flying

© Dave Holt 1999