Hey Guys!

It has been quite a while since I have posted anything and I am due. :-) Anyway, I dusted off my kite bag and was doing some flying the last couple days. My IMP Quattro 3.5m has been getting the most use as it seems to take flight in lighter winds and pulls nicely when the wind picks up. Today I was getting 12-14mph winds and I was having a hard time getting my 5m Haka off the ground and keeping it airborne. Since I am inland I just don't have the sustained winds to keep this one up. I am not sure if it is the design, weight or what. When it's up it pulls like a train though. So with that said I will probably sell the Haka and pick up another 5m or 6m kite that flies in lighter winds. Does anybody have any suggestions? I have always wanted the Blade but not sure if I'll have the same issues with that one or not....

Cheers,
Greg

Firstly check your brake line lengths, they should be the same as your power lines, then make sure the brake lines are not connected to the closest knot to the kite on the leaders, sounds like there is too much brake line tension which is holding the kite back.

Even if the power lines have gotten a bit stretched, the brake knots on the bridles should help out with that. Like BigE says, check line lengths. There should be a little droop in your brakes when the kite is flying forward. If your brakes are tight, or almost as tight as the power lines when trying to take off, you will have issues.

Do you still want to be pulled like a train? Are you wanting something a little tamer? Lots of routes to go depending on the desired outcome.

Tame - Hornet, Beamer
Train - Twister, Voltage

Hey guys! I'll double check the brake lines....

Mike,

I want to get pulled, just not up. :-)

5M Toxic..

Hey guys! Well I ordered a used 5m Voltage from Mike. I am looking forward to seeing how that one compares to the Haka. From what I can tell it looks as though its easier to launch in lighter winds.

I am also looking for a 2 line foil to play with... Any recommendations on those? :-)

For 2-line foils it seems like the HQ symphony series is the most popular option
Beach series ok. Pro has sewn bridles, and better lines and nicer bag.

Have you guys seen this yet? http://www.prismkites.com/products-sf-tantrum.php

+1 on the Symphony Pro series..

"Firstly check your brake line lengths, they should be the same as your power lines, then make sure the brake lines are not connected to the closest knot to the kite on the leaders, sounds like there is too much brake line tension which is holding the kite back. "

I have limited experience with big foils. The kites I own are all fixed bridles & range from 2.5 to 7 meters. I had the same issue with a Tensor 4.2 I received as a gift. Plenty of wind the first time out but the kite did not want to launch & the sides would not fully inflate. By the time I got it adjusted I had used up all the kite end adjustments & the leaders on my handles had as many knots as the leaders on a set of Rev handles. With the flying line end loops sewn it limits your adjustments to corrections on the handle leaders. You likely need have some sag in your brake lines. When you get it sorted out you should do fine in light winds. I fly many other types of kites & find that the same light wind techniques work well with large foils but they require considerable skill with the big ones.

Yes, you definitely want sag in rear lines. I was flying my 5.5 and 8.6 Reactors this Sunday in variable 15-20mph wind on my beach, and even being overpowered on the 8.6 and riding a quarter mile sideways I still had a decent droop in the brakes, but still razor sharp brake control.

Errol, I figured given the wind direction, that you were riding Sunday. I had perfect "on road" wind conditions on about a half mile stretch of road. I always like riding next to a double yellow line.

No Brake lines on my kites to fuss with.