Yo. So I've had this TSR 3.6 since this summer. I've gotten to like it quite a bit. Being new to the sport, and also isolated from other kiters (no one around here even knows what a powerkite looks like!) I've not really had any reference for what to expect and have been learning by trial and error (and the help of this forum.)

Well, it always seemed to me like this kite took some effort to actually get off the ground. With a light breeze, I'd often rely on a friend to lift the kite for an assisted launch, and even then the kite would often quickly drop straight back down. Once it was in the air, no problem. But I just assumed this was normal.

Finally, a couple weekends ago I hooked up with some other kiters at Kitestorm 2008 in VT. I had a chance to fly someone else's TSR 3.6, and was amazed at how easily it launched! It was like a totally different (and much more friendly) kite! The only difference was that their kite was a 2007/8 model, and mine was one year older. So we starting comparing the two, and found that the brake lines on mine were much shorter in relation to the control lines, when compared to the other kite. On the other kite, the brake lines were longer in relation to the control lines, and therefore looser. So essentially, I'd been flying with the brakes on this whole time! We had to take about 2 feet out of the lead lines in order to change the length ratio enough to bring my kite up to "normal" performance. After that, my kite flew like a dream! I couldn't believe it would lift off in such light winds, all by itself.

So, my question is, has anyone else had problems with HQ TSR line lengths as delivered from the factory?

hey sciss,

possibly a line length snafu from the factory but def sounds like a major case of powerline stretch.........something to keep on eye on in the future

Tridude could well be right about the line stretch ? Did it fly this way from day one ? Did you take it out in big winds ?

Glad you figured it out ! the TRS should be a super friendly kite.

Almost every time I kite flies like junk it is the brakes. When in doubt, go 2 line and work it from there!

Probably the bottom skin of the kite was puckering, too- that's another sign of tight brakes. I would have to say that this is an anomoly. I've seen unmatched sets with others; never with HQ.

You guys mention powerline stretching and high winds in the same category. So... is that suggesting not to bring a kite out into high winds? are high winds a cause of stretching powerlines? I just bought my beamer III3.0 and i'm thinking int he future when i'm gettin' good it'll be my high wind kite but I don't know is there a line really on how much is too much(not safety-wise but line-stretching-wise)?

Let safety and skill level/ confidence be your guide as to how high a wind you will fly in, not fear of line stretch. Your line set was pre-stretched at the factory before sewing us, as were the bridles. This is true of most current models from other manufacturers, too. Not to say that they can't creep a bit under load, but it should not be significant. You will find youself changeing brake settings more for different wind speeds more than for line stretch.

gotcha, sounds good

I have definitely put some strain on the lines, but I didn't think it was enough to cause that much stretch. I can't remember if it was acting silly from day 1 or not, but I do know that the first few days of flying it the winds were pretty stiff and I was sitting stationary holding it back with all my strength. So I'm sure there was some stretching. But 2+ feet? Although, I guess percentage wise, that's not really that much on 80 foot lines. Maybe that was the problem.

Dyneema will stretch 3% thereabouts, so there is your 2+ feet, but as noted, they should have been pre-stretched. Well at least they are pre-stretched now!