Power Kite Forum

Tacking

raycapp1 - 20-8-2006 at 12:54 PM

Hello dudes and dude ets wicked day out today wind was blowing a good 1, got pulled out the buggy buy the wind rolled it but still loving it, any way can any one exsplane how to tack or help out in any way i think i got it but some times it works and some it dont so i want to no if im doing it right

jonesing4wind - 20-8-2006 at 01:16 PM

Begin turning the kite first. Then the buggy. You might want to slow down a bit by turning very hard upwind first, then starting the turn. Once you get better, you can downloop the kite and slingshot around the turn. Be safe and have fun!

Pablo - 20-8-2006 at 06:18 PM

Yup, slow down by turning slightly upwind, you should find that the kite moves to the edge of the window and you slow down, keep slowly edging upwind till this happens. Turn the kite up and head it off in the other direction, timing is key here, when the kite's about 1/4 of the way turning around you want to be starting your turn, when it's 1/2 way, you should be 1/4, when the kite's heading off in the other direction, you should be getting pulled the rest of the way around the turn. You can do this at pretty slow speeds to start.

When blasting cross wind, if you find your slowing down, you're edging too much upwind, if your getting slack lines and losing kite control, your heading downwind too much. There's ways to fly the kite to overcome some of these things, but that's the jist of it.

On turns, if you turn the bug too soon, you'll just luff the kite, if you turn too late, you'll be forcibly removed from the bug in a most spectacular fashion. Really helps to have a photographer handy.

raycapp1 - 20-8-2006 at 11:21 PM

Quote:
Really helps to have a photographer handy.


thanks pablo lol

any way think ive got it now sunday was the best wind ive had on my buggy was totaly mad im sooooooooooooo hooked, just need a bigger feild:spin:

awindofchange - 21-8-2006 at 11:45 AM

One of the most common mistakes I find with beginners trying to turn is that they turn to sloooooooow.

I will explain. When turning the buggy, crank the wheel around quickly and complete the turn as fast as possible. This of course has to be done in unison with the kite but faster is always better.

Most buggies can turn within their own wheelbase when the wheel is cranked around hard enough, dont be afraid to turn the wheel and get the turn finished. A slow lazy turn will put you facing downwind when the kite gets half way around and in the middle of the power window...and you will find yourself hauling directly down wind and out of control. Anyone who has done this while learning should be nodding their head and chuckling about now. A quick turn will get your buggy facing in the proper direction before the kite hits its power stroke.

What I suggest to people I am teaching is to bring the kite slowly up overhead and begin pointin upwind to burn off speed (same as been mentioned above in other posts). Don't let the buggy come to a complete stop! Once you slow down to a comfortable speed to do the turn, crank the front wheel HARD and roll through the turn as quickly as possible. If done right, the buggy will complete the turn before the kite even starts to drop into the power. Once the turn is completed your buggy should be facing in the right direction and may even have a little bit of forward motion left. Drop the kite down in front of you on your new heading and go.

The faster you complete your turn, the less upwind position you will lose (think tiny circle turn) and the less you will have to tack upwind to get back to where you were heading. A slow long downwind turn will cause you to lose a huge amount of upwind position (think large circle turn) and you will have to tack even harder to try and get back to where you wanted to go.

Turning is super simple once you get it figured out and it becomes surprisingly smooth and very predictable...thats when you can start throwing the rear wheels around and powering the kite intentionally in your turns (side slides, jack knifes, etc)...which can be a total riot! Once you get to that point, 360's are start looking pretty good and even more do-able! :lol:

raycapp1 - 21-8-2006 at 01:05 PM

Quote:


Turning is super simple once you get it figured out and it becomes surprisingly smooth and very predictable...thats when you can start throwing the rear wheels around and powering the kite intentionally in your turns (side slides, jack knifes, etc)...which can be a total riot! Once you get to that point, 360's are start looking pretty good and even more do-able! :lol:
i think i no what you mean cause when i turned slow i couldnt tack back as i lost momentiom gues i should just get out there and pratice

Pablo - 21-8-2006 at 11:04 PM

Only problem I have with turning really sharp is I usually end up sliding dead sideways and come to a complete stop, I'm usually flying 5.5m to 9m kites though, so they take a little while to get around, keeping the turn just a little looser and the buggy will carve the whole way around and I'll come out of it on the powerstroke and carrying some speed.

Is there a way to get around faster on slow turning kites?

awindofchange - 22-8-2006 at 03:30 PM

Speed is the key Pablo, if you are side sliding the rear around you are turning with a little too much forward speed. This is not really a problem and can be an all out riot in the right conditions. To make the turn a little more controllable without the slide, burn off a little more speed before you initiate the turn. Take the kite up overhead, turn upwind until you slow down enough to make the turn without sliding. Once you commit to the turn, crank the wheel sharp and complete the turn as quick as possible. Don't slow down too much or you will find yourself stuck half way through the turn and the kite ready to lower down into the power. Timing is the real key and once you start getting it figured out you will know just how fast/slow you need to be going to make the turn without sliding out.

If you are side sliding the turn (and like doing that :yes:) then start the turn with the kite first (as stated above) and time your turn so that you can power slide the rear wheels just in time for the kite to begin heading into the other direction, shift your weight to the front wheel as you slide your rear around and it will make it easier to get the rear wheels all the way around. Really throw your hips into the turn.

If done correctly you should slide around in a 180 just in time for the kite to power up and shoot you back in the other direction. If done incorectly you may find yourself under your buggy with the kite ready to power up. Um........Helmet and pads are a great idea when practicing this type of turn. :o

chris_db - 23-9-2006 at 12:44 PM

Are we talking gybing (downwind) turns or tacking (upwind turns) here:?:

Bucky - 23-9-2006 at 04:46 PM

A tacking turn (upwind) is a bit harder. Its usually best done with a smaller kite in good wind. Speed and traction are the key elements. Gain enough speed so that a complete 180 would be possible if under no power. Begin turning the kite and the buggy at the same time. You should turn the buggy tight, but not enough to break traction. The kite should be turned up slowly enough so that its arc is almost straight over your head. Time it so that when your kite is at 12 o'clock, you are 90 degrees (halfway) into your turn. This is where speed and momentum are important, because at this point, you will be travelling directly against the kite's pull. (It also helps to lean back, and put your arms over your head so you dont get lines in your face.) Continue quickly around the turn, and continue to bring the kite through the arc. I find that the best way to turn the buggy is to start with a gentle turn, then increase the sharpness as your speed decreases.