I have been flying this 2007 LF Assault II (16m) for 3 months with numerous sessions on the water with 15-20mph. It is the only bow kite i have and certainly different than the c-kites i fly.
I've used all the adjustment knots with different mainline settings . I fly fine with it plenty power, turns like a 16m a little mushy on the low end but all good powered up. The back lines are slack most of the time is this normal? the depower works fine really hadn't noticed this as a problem. A fellow rider asked me about it and i didn't really know. My best guess is it is a front line bias rig and that's the design. a little assurance from the knowledge pool would be helpful.

thanks
chad

Hi Chad

I own a Liquid Force Havoc 2007 14m and I think the bar is similar to the assault (unless you have the 2:1 pulley stuff)

When I first flew this kite, I had the same feeling where the rear lines were slack and lacking of turning speed. That was in light wind.

A friend of mine suggested to measure the rear lines compared to the front lines.

They were exactly the same length, which is OK. He then suggested to try having them the same length when the bar is half power. I did that, but it was too much. I was way overpowered.

At the end, I added an extra knot to the rear lines, so I can shorten them a bit more than what is suggested. You may already have 3 knots at the kite and 3 knots at the bar. I added a 4th one at the bar. In very light wind, I use it.

But the most important, I relasize when I first tune my havoc the first time and I had the problem, I think the kite was not inflated enough allowing it to curve more than suppose, and may be that would make the rear lines longer.

So make sure it's well pumped, try different setups in light winds, and add an extra knot if you feel you need it.

Thanks buzz for the suggestions, the extra knot may do the trick in light wind. I did foolishly at the end of a ride one time tie of about 6 inches on the back lines(at the bridle) and when i relaunched an unforgettable education was handed to me and for the first time actually released the kite leash. Inflation is always solid. I have ran with shortest knot set up not much difference but the light wind seemed just really challenging. 3knots top and bottom shortest setup at the top seemed to be my go to set up.
the change over from the c-kite bar handling really was distracting at first with the bow depower rig i had to resist locking down the bar. but i believe wind speed threshold was alot of the problem, light wind and apparent wind use, next light air run i will consider a tiny length 1" fourth knot.
thanks

I am not too experienced with LEI kites. The havoc and the eclipse nano are the only LEI I have flown. So never flown a C kite.

Is this what they call light bar pressure as advertised by LF ? dont know. But when it's windy, i like it much. It's a good kite with fast turning speed.

One thing sure is in light wind, I much prefer my other kites: Flysurfer

when i first flow the depower bow kite the sheeting in and out was like a" throttle" no matter where the kite's location in the window you could always decrease the power. the c-kite i have used except for the trim strap are always "full on". A constant pull, you only really can negotiate your position against it, relative to window position. more like a fixed bridle with very little brake throw. under standing how to quickly neutral the kite became a blind reflex.. In the water as a beginner they are not very forgiving like the depower bow kites. the c-kite has taught me to down select size for conidtions. I guess it is a safety factor based on my experience with c-kites.
thanks for the response
chad