Stunning new Manta Ray kite

[@hellokitty90000]

I really love the choices of music you make for your videos :) It is definitely an eye-catching kite

[@JimNicholls]

Choosing the music is always hard, because I try to make it fit the mood of the video but I know my tastes are not those of many people. Also, I'm restricted to the free music that KZbin offers, most of which I think is rubbish. Anyway, sometimes it works out well, and I'm glad you enjoy it.

[@MrOldflyer]

Stunning Jim. Stunning!

[@JimNicholls]

It is, Nigel. It's a pity it's not more affordable, but that's unavoidable with something so complex to build.

[@hugotuulelohed1822]

Great video nice kite😀😁

[@JimNicholls]

Thanks, Hugo. I see you're still flying in the snow!

[@outandabout100]

Beautiful kite very stable. Clear sky. Please show us yourself flying it. Thanks Jim

[@JimNicholls]

I may do that sometime, but I think I've been on video enough recently!

[@mrlionel1965]

Looks great Jim.

[@JimNicholls]

It's a stunner, Ken.

[@harrydhillon2541]

Amazing Video ... !!!

[@JimNicholls]

Thanks, Harry - it's certainly a nice kite.

[@kiteflyingdownunder....car6272]

I knew my order for this kite had gone to the wrong address. Please enjoy then forward post to me. Ha ha! Beautiful colours and graceful flyer. Look forward to seeing it one day.

[@JimNicholls]

Yes, there must have been a mix-up, Carl - probably it was meant to come last week so that you could pick it up when you were here! But I don't know if I could part with it now, so it will have to stay here. I'm sure the invoice went to your address, though, so please make sure it gets paid.

[@mustafatopcu4336]

I don't believe my eyes,This is one of my favorite kite Great great great : ) Today I flew my Mario and Pikachu Delta but I can't take a video,My phone is broken,phone don't working and I haven't got it for a one week and maybe longer than. But today I am beginning make new kites.I have got 9- 10 days holiday,after I will back to the my school. It was a nice display,thanks for sharing,best wishes from Turkeyy

[@JimNicholls]

I'm glad you liked it, Mustafa, and happy to know that you are making new kites. Sad news about your phone, and I hope you get it fixed soon.

[@scibbluver]

a very nice kite. that will look great with the fleet you have lol

[@JimNicholls]

Yes, one of the stars of the collection I think, Scott.

[@perfalck778]

looks very nice. our dream is one off the big gekko or manta kites from Peter lynn. but the tax and fee to our country hold us back.

[@JimNicholls]

Too expensive here, too, as there is 15% tax added, although of course we can save on freight by picking it up from the factory. The gecko is one of my favourites. The owners of the factory (Peter Lynn sold it long ago) have cut prices in recent years, but the costs of manufacture for items like this means that they will never be affordable by most fliers.

[@308Karl]

Im interested on this kite. Is a 1500lbs 3.5mm Kevlar ok for this huge kite. Maybe i could go with the 2000lbs 4mm one?

[@JimNicholls]

This is the mini size, and I fly it usually on 200lb line. Naturally you'd need stronger line if you had the maxi size, but I have no experience with that (and no money to buy one!)

[@308Karl]

@@JimNicholls Oh I see. I just saw the size. I thought this was the 12m version which has a 4.6m x 3.2m head

[@SitocawithSorento]

Hey Jim where did you get it

[@JimNicholls]

It was a prototype and I got it from the factory where it was made in China, but the only place you can buy them is from Peter Lynn Kites, unfortunately - very expensive! Shown on their site in black and white, but you can choose colours - it's the "Mini" size, although it's not small, of course. www.peterlynnkites.com/ray-manta/

[@garyesposito4025]

Anyone have an idea what strength line I'd need for a midi version of this? I got a recommendation of a 3000lb line from someone online, but surely that is overkill. I was hoping 1000lb line would work.

[@JimNicholls]

I can't give a definite answer as I have no experience with that size. But based on the smaller one, I'd think that you are correct in your thinking that 1000 would be enough. Checking with the maker would be the best way to be sure.

[@michael22846]

A cool new fish. Unfortunately a little bit out of my price range, I fear.

[@JimNicholls]

Yes, it's expensive, Michael, but I guess if there's a choice between this and a few cheaper kites, this might be worth sacrificing the others. Certainly it's a great kite, and Andreas has done a wonderful job of designing it, and the factory has built it to a very high standard.

[@JimNicholls]

@@solarbake1 Built in China but available only from the Peter Lynn Kites factory, unfortunately (although mine didn't come from there.) I don't think PLK have received any stock yet, although they've been taking advance orders.

[@waynehross]

Hi Jim, when you can, can you create and post a KZbin clip launching the manta ray?

[@JimNicholls]

I'll try, Wayne, but I use both hands to launch it so I'll have to get someone to help or use a tripod.

[@waynehross]

Thanks Jim

[@balonflexia4084]

These Mini AF Ray Kite is bigger or smaller of the 23m Octopus Kite? (excluding the tail and the tentacles) I imagine that it has less pull than the Octopus.

[@JimNicholls]

The ray is smaller, and yes, it has less pull also, but of course the tentacles on the Octopus have a lot more drag than the tail on the ray.

[@balonflexia4084]

Jim Nicholls Ok thank you. The line 200 LB is enough for the Mini AF Ray? (I believe that is difficult that to pull until 90 kg). I ordered the same AF Ray and I’m waiting for to fly it.

[@JimNicholls]

@@balonflexia4084 I think 200lb line is what I usually use for this kite.

[@misspanc]

this is a prototype?? no price for mini version yet at Peter Lyn web site

[@JimNicholls]

This is indeed a prototype, direct from the factory in China which makes them. But the PLK site does show a price for it now: www.peterlynnkites.com/andreas-manta-ray/ . It's expensive!

[@johnusher1921]

Midi version is showing as US$1,680 on his website - Wow! No price yet for the Mini. You must have some influence there, Jim! 😁

[@JimNicholls]

The midi version would have been nice, but certainly out of my range. There is a 15% tax added on to purchases here, so it's even more expensive for local sales. No, I don't have any influence at the PLK factory, unfortunately, although I do know the owners of course (Peter Lynn is not one of them, having sold the business long ago) and am sometimes lucky enough to fly with them.