I am continuing to practice with the kite and now am able to launch and fly pretty well. I still have a bit of struggle with managing the kite when it gets low to the horizon or if it starts to twist but for the most part I am flying.

One thing that perplexes me are the brake lines. They don't really seem effective. Today I flew with just two lines attached to the kite (both to the control) and it seemed easier and more managable. The kite lifted quicker and it turned easier with the bar.

Do I need the brake lines? Is it an issue? My kite is not a depowering one. I just want to know if this is a mistake.

Mike

What kind of kite is it? Are you flying on handles or a bar ?
The brake lines come in very handy for Reverse launching when you have crashed. They also help to back the kite down when you want to land it. If you are on handles the brakes are also handy for tucking the bottom of the wing in to make a sharper turn. Fly with one finger above the fly line and the other 3 below. This way you can leave the bottom of the handle slack ( pointing toward the kite ) when you don't want brakes. If the kite won't back down with both brakes on, the brake lines are too long. If it won't go to Zenith ( overhead ) then they are too short.

I am using a bar. I have the handles but have not tried them. I feel a bit more confident with the bar and I like that I don't need both hands all the time. The control lines are connected but the brake lines are not...I just let them go to the end of the pulley right now.

It is a 3.6m Tribord (Decathalon) Kite.

Sounds like the brake lines are too tight, when you turn hard left, watch the right brake line, if it is getting pulled tight in a hard left turn they're too tight, you need a surprising amount of slack flying 4 line with a bar, there is a simple fix that involves putting a pulley on the brake lines, so you can turn hard without the brakes getting pulled tight and still keep the brakes fairly snug.

I'm not familiar with that kite but it sounds similar to the Beamer TSR . It will be worth working on the brakes to get them right. Try it again with the brakes more loose as Pablo discribes. Also check HQ's website they may have a manual for the Beamer TSR that would help with your kite.

http://www.tribord.com/EN/Product_arborescence/watersports/s...

This is the kite. Is there any issue flying without the brakes? Does it impact the performance? Just curious.

Depends on the kite. some kites are biased to want to fly with a little tension on the brake lines, some will fly better with them loose or can fly without them. According to the kite descriptoin on the link you provided, it can be flown 2 or 4-line, so there is your answer.

I prefer 4-line for the reasons Snowbird offered; you and reverse-launch off its nose and back it down in the window for a dowwind landing. You can aslo stake the kite to park it on the ground for a break and easily re-launch. Just fiddle with the brake line tension so it seems right to you and can still fly the full window.

I have had some issues with my 3m on a cross-over bar. It to has a habit of backing down in lighter winds. I've come to the conclusion that the extra weight of the pulleys and line are just enough to pull it back in low wind even though they are loose and hanging in an arc.
I'm not clear what you described about hooking the lines up to a pulley. The extra weight may play on your kite as well. Does this problem decrease with good wind. It does for me. If so, perhaps this kite may prefer the handles it comes with.

Flying it 2 line should work O.K. but you are losing all the advantages of brakes. Faster turns, reverse launch and being able to back / peg your kite down.

Safety could also be an issue. Typically when a four line fixed bridle kite is flown on a bar, a wrist safety leash is attached to the brake lines. With this setup you can just let go of the bar if you get in trouble and the kite will fall safely out of the sky.

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave62 Safety could also be an issue. Typically when a four line fixed bridle kite is flown on a bar, a wrist safety leash is attached to the brake lines. With this setup you can just let go of the bar if you get in trouble and the kite will fall safely out of the sky.

TRUE, to fly 2 line move the safety to one of the flying lines. One that can run through the bar holding one wing while the other flags out when you let go.

Thanks for all the excellent help. I think the reason the two line has felt good to me because it is simple. I haven't flown a kite with brakes before so I really don't know what the hell I am doing. With just the two, it keeps me from getting everything all twisted up.

I am doing this alone and it is a challenge. Your help is great. I still have not boarded yet but I think this will get me closer.

Mike

If you get your brakes set up properly and are flying on a bar you should not have to think about them at all when flying.
You mention a pulley. If this is a single pulley then you should have your brakes attached to a line about as wide as your bar that would run ( rock ) through the pulley. The pulley should be permanently fixed to a heavier line that runs through your bar to your safety. As you work the bar the pulley should compinsate for the changing brake length. No extra input on your part. Then if you want to back down or reverse launch tug on the safety gently until the kite flies in reverse on the back ( brake ) lines.

If you have a 3 pulley set up it works similar. You just get the advantage of individaul brake action as you work the bar. Still no extra input involved. I think the 3 pulleys are a bit much on my 3m causing some backstall. I will probably go to a single pulley if I keep this kite on a bar ?

Flying on handles takes a bit more learning because you do need to think about the brakes when flying on them. That comes with a little practice.

Folks often suggest that you should be able to fly your kite without looking at it before you move on to riding your board. That is a pretty good gauge of when you are ready.

I have figured out the flying bit and in fact, before even landboarding, made an investment into a second smaller kite for some of the stronger winds around here. I worked with the bar last week and with its two pulleys, I am still trying to figure out how to use the brakes. However, it is progress.

My plan is to go to the beach this week for my first trek on the board. I will fly the kite for an hour or so before hitting the board.

Mike