With my 5 line C kites I launch with about 80% depower and then adjust my trim so I have little or no slack with the bar mid trim on the back lines.

Can someone explain the basics in trimming a foil ( my Psycho ) for flying low wind and generally ? I get it launched easy enough at total depower but once it's up can't seem to find the right way to trim it for maximum low wind control. Seems with the way it shape changes my back lines look semi-tight but aren't very effective in steering ? I eventually lose it at the edge of the window even though I've been trying to correct well in advance or collapse a wing tip. :duh:

Time for Krumly's kite kontrol skool !

quantify "light wind"

the p2 kites have a limited wind range and a definate ON switch....below that nothing happens. above that is the fun for a while, then the p2 gets a bit scary at high winds just like the TITAN did.

i had a 10m TITAN.... it wouldn't turn on until 12 mph and above 18mph i couldn't do anything but jump or go downwind.

for your p2, check the WAC.... set it to tip brake and more camber to minimize tip tuck and window stall.... but then again that will sit it more inside the window.... its a trade off but for low wind the window edge will kill that kite.

YUP,

I have discovered exactly what you explain about " turning on " . Once it finds enough wind it responds well. I guess what I'm asking is more what is the optimal way to set your trim strap when flying at the very bottom of the kites range. My instinct is to launch depowered to near max then once it is up pull the trim to full power and try to keep it moving.
Also I feel I set my trim right with my C's by taking up the slack on the steering lines but wonder how you know how much trim to apply with the variable geometry.

Backstall is the killer for the P2 in "light wind" . minimize it as much as possible: its definately a technique, especially trying to squeeze every last bit of power while trying to kitesurf upwind as the wind is dying, so this will be great practice for you getting out on the water this summer with it.

may need to change the WAC fully to WAC (-) and Tip brake. i know the manual says FULL BRAKE is better for light wind, but the trailing edge scoops in too much and seems more prone to backstall.

in light wind ( below the kite's ON switch) I've found it best to set the trimmer at halfway. this gives enough slack on the steering lines to keep the AOA pitched foreward and drive the kite. I also remember the P2 having stall-trouble on the up-turn: here's a tip

as you dive the kite for power, power-up to slow down the acceleration thru the "top-half" of the window. this will maintain board-speed and keep you on-plane. as you enter the "bottom-half" of the window sheet out and let the kite accelerate into the up-turn to avoid the stall-effect.

also avoid long steering inputs. rather, use quick yet forceful inputs and a pauses in between to let the kite gain back its speed to keep it driving foreward. example : count to 3 : 1 pull to steer, 2 let the bar out, 3 pull to steer, 4 bar out.... etc.

john

It's great having a Flysurfer guru here on PKF - thanks for posting all the info John

Quote:

Originally posted by DaVinch It's great having a Flysurfer guru here on PKF - thanks for posting all the info John

I second that ! Krumly is another I take my helmet off to ! :cool2:

Thanks Pab's as well ! The page on depower looks great. I'll read up on it today