Power Kite Forum - Progress from 2 to 4 line

Progress from 2 to 4 line

cbs2010 - 15-8-2015 at 11:41 AM

So I finally had time to get my first 4 line after having flown two line for such a long time. I ended up getting a HQ Beamer V 3m. Having flown two line foils and stunt kites gave me the instant familiarity and confidence. Having the second set of brake lines was a natural adjustment once I got over the initial goofiness of how to pull and how to use your wrists.

Now I don't have the breadth of experience that allows me the ability to say I can tell the difference between kites having varying aspect ratios but I do believe new comers to the sport can benefit from flying two lines.

1. They are cheaper
2. They are easier to set up and pack down smaller.
3. There is less to break and replace.
4. They can be less intimidating to share and teach onlookers.
5. The principles of flying are the same.
6. The muscle memory your develop is the same. Great confidence builder.

Now I've read in some threads that 2 line flying develops bad habits but those threads never describe what they are. I'm not sure if I have bad flying habits but I know I don't cactus fly. Also if my nine year old 80lbs nephew who has been flying two line for over a year can take to my new Beamer on his first launch without crashing than I know two line has served well.

I will say this that after flying my 3m and feeling that interactive pull ( static flying ) I already want a bigger kite. My nephew had a blast feeling the strength and was never afraid even though he had a couple 20 yard preventive dashes from getting supermanned.

Lastly I will say that the quality of my Peter Lynn Vibe seems more refined than the HQ. The only places I have noticed so far on the HQ which lack are loose threads at the end of a stitch on the pig tail leaders. Other than that nice and crispy.

ssayre - 15-8-2015 at 11:46 AM

Yep, that's how I started. 2 line stunt, 2 line foil, 4 line foil, now back to 2 line with nasa :D

cbs2010 - 15-8-2015 at 11:50 AM

Why the 2 line NASA love ?

ssayre - 15-8-2015 at 11:57 AM

I fly a depower as well so I'm not exclusively nasa but nasa's can be flown 2 line or 4 line depending on preference. Personally I don't think they benefit greatly from 4 lines and 2 lines on a bar allow easy one handed operation. They still relaunch easily in 2 line mode as well. They are a grunty kite that keep their shape in lulls and provide tractor like power to pull you through thick grass or other challenging terrain. They also are great on short lines and in parking lots with longboards.

Windstruck - 15-8-2015 at 12:07 PM

Great that you are getting the hang of things. It sounds as if we have a new emerging fanatic on our hands. There's plenty of that sort of company on this Forum! :D

You mentioned already wanting a bigger kite and that you liked the refined feel of the Peter Lynn construction. Well, today is your lucky day! I happen to have a 4m PL Hornet for sale that would fulfill both of those needs very well!

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=30754

So happy you are enjoying yourself in the kiting world!!!

Bladerunner - 15-8-2015 at 05:20 PM

If you think flying power kites is fun just wait until you get to use one as an engine and RIDE!
We are talking a whole new level of fun!

You can never have too many kites but it may be time to seriously consider where you want to go with this sport. It will dictate what type of kites you should buy.

The reason I tend to tell people to avoid 2 line is the re-launch capability with 3 or 4 line kites.

I think what you are discovering is that starting out on a bar is a much simpler way of starting out and I agree. It isn't always cheaper when you consider that a person is likely to outgrow a 2 line while starting with a quality 4 line around 3m can serve you as an engine later.

3shot - 16-8-2015 at 07:09 AM

Quote: Originally posted by cbs2010

Why the 2 line NASA love ?

ssayre - 16-8-2015 at 08:49 AM

Oh yeah! :D

Windstruck - 16-8-2015 at 08:53 AM

3-shot! :yes:

cbs2010 - 17-8-2015 at 12:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

If you think flying power kites is fun just wait until you get to use one as an engine and RIDE!
We are talking a whole new level of fun!

You can never have too many kites but it may be time to seriously consider where you want to go with this sport. It will dictate what type of kites you should buy.

The reason I tend to tell people to avoid 2 line is the re-launch capability with 3 or 4 line kites.

I think what you are discovering is that starting out on a bar is a much simpler way of starting out and I agree. It isn't always cheaper when you consider that a person is likely to outgrow a 2 line while starting with a quality 4 line around 3m can serve you as an engine later.

------------------------------
I'm flying by handles. Have yet to try a bar. I like your advice Bladerunner about looking to the future and buying based on that. I would like to progress to traction sports like a buggy and kitesurfing but will likely try landboarding as its more portable than a buggy. I'm also thinking with the Vancouver winds here (4-8 mph on average ) and being a heavy guy 250-300 that I'd need at least 5.6 or 7.0 etc size kite... Maybe even more. Perhaps Depower is the way to go eventually and then get an even larger kite ???

indigo_wolf - 17-8-2015 at 03:01 AM

SAG WindDance (made in 3 sizes) only came as a dual line.

Not a traction kite, per se.... but still a lot of fun.

No longer in production, but they still pop up for sale every now and again.

One of my former kite pushers made sure a full set was available for purchase at an opportune time. :rolleyes:

ATB,
Sam

Bladerunner - 17-8-2015 at 11:49 AM

CBS ,

If you are not aware of the new rules for riding at Garry Point you need to catch up.

Basically we need to be insured and tied to a code of conduct. The final meeting for this is next Saturday at Richmond !
Garry Point is just about all we have got in Vancouver so if you plan on riding in the next year you NEED to attend this meeting and or act soon!

Static flying without insurance will still be allowed at GP, if I understand the rules correctly? :crazy:

cbs2010 - 17-8-2015 at 04:55 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner

CBS ,

If you are not aware of the new rules for riding at Garry Point you need to catch up.

Basically we need to be insured and tied to a code of conduct. The final meeting for this is next Saturday at Richmond !
Garry Point is just about all we have got in Vancouver so if you plan on riding in the next year you NEED to attend this meeting and or act soon!

Static flying without insurance will still be allowed at GP, if I understand the rules correctly? :crazy:

Thanks for the heads up. I most likely will be out of town during that weekend. Do you know what one has to do if they miss the meeting ?

Bladerunner - 18-8-2015 at 04:25 AM

U2U sent.

Windy Heap - 18-8-2015 at 10:34 AM

Brake Lines are your new friend you just discoverd. Learn to even tune/shorten your brake line length if you want more of a brake bias.

Practice your reverse launches, brake lines rule for tight spins on the center axis too.............now go out and explore the whole new wind window.

cbs2010 - 20-8-2015 at 02:30 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Windy Heap

Brake Lines are your new friend you just discoverd. Learn to even tune/shorten your brake line length if you want more of a brake bias.

Practice your reverse launches, brake lines rule for tight spins on the center axis too.............now go out and explore the whole new wind window.

I agree. Pinwheel turns are awesome. Brake turns are great when you either don't want to pull as hard for a normal push pull turn or when you need to turn quicker. My Beamer has brake line knots on the brake bridal pigtails which is great. I first had my lines on the middle knot and flew until I had a feel for it. The kite tips would luff on turns so I thought perhaps to much brake is being pulled by the lines. I went to the extreme and attached the brake lines on the end knot. Kite instantly flew better, stronger and no luffing albeit much harder pulls needed to turn.

Felt excited being able to see and feel the difference from one adjustment. Learned something new that day !