Hello all,

I recented picked up a used Montana III seven meter. I am really surprised by the amount of power and lift it has. I have a few questions/concerns. I have flown this kite a few times in gusty conditions and I was surprised by how much lift it had, even with the depower strap pulled completely. What would be the best front line setting to minimize this lifting effect? Is there anything else that can be done to "settle this kite down" a bit. The other concern I have is that when parking the kite on it's brake line webbing in winds approaching 20 mph (staked to ground) was that it didn't want to stay parked at all, but tried to relaunch, jumped around and generally went crazy versus just staying down on the ground like my '07 Frenzy does. Is there another method to parking this kite that will work?
I am trying hard to like this kite but so far I am not too thrilled with it's behavior, however i have to say, the winds were a bit gusty when all this was occurring. Are these characteristics something I just have to accept??

Any input or ideas from other M3 owners would be VERY greatly appreciated!
Jack

I'm not an expert, but i believe if you attach the flying lines to the knot closest to the bar that will take some lift/power out of the kite. But I also think this will require more input to make the kite turn and may make it harder to park on the ground with the stake.

Also what are you connecting the stake to? If you have the lines connected to the knot closest to the bar and have the trimmer all the way in ... it may make it hard to stake the kite off and have it stay. How about when you stake it off you release the top hat safety. It should definitely stay then ??

Again I'm no expert ... people with more experience should be along before long.

I usually keep mine on the factory recomended settings which is the second knot, unless the winds are really low and I put on the knot closest to the kite. to Minimize Lift a little but the kite flies super fast. try the knot closest to the bar. you will be use to this kite moving super fast on this setting, owning a Frenzy. How much do you weigh?? I weigh 145lbs and even though the Montana 2 is rated for high winds i don't feel comfortable in winds over 18mph completley depowered . I don't have much to compare too since this was my first depower. I now have the 9.5m Montana 3 hoping for more Umph in them winds. Dunno if i answered much. I have not really tested my M3. but it's suppose to have more depower over the Montana 2.. i hope thats true or M screwed in 18mph winds with the 9.5 lol :bird: As for the Kite not wanting to sit down parked. I have only had trouble once, but i think i was at fault. Have you checked your line lengths????

Ok right now I believe that I have the front lines on the knots closest to the bar, which I THOUGHT would decrease the angle of attack and make the kite a bit less agressive. I know that the middle knots are the factory setting, but I'm a bit confused what the longest and shortest settings will do. I have not checked my line lengths, that is a good point. I'll have to do that. As far as how I had it staked, I attached my leash to the little loop in the center of the brake line webbing, which should equalize the the pull on the back lines. I then let the bar go forward of the stake, so all tension is the brake lines, just like I would do with my Frenzy.

As I mentioned before, I did have the trimmer pulled all the way in, which made landing it quite easy, perhaps I should have backed it off some?? :dunno: I wouldn't think that would matter if its staked to the brake lines. BTW, I weigh 180 lbs, if that matters. Also, releasing the top hat safety pretty much makes the kite do the same thing, it definately falls to the ground but flutters and flops all over, not a fun thing in high winds...

I don't use a leash so I stake the brake line down. and if it's really windy i stick the stake through the little loop. you shoudln't feel over powered approaching 20mph on a 7m at 185lbs. I weigh 145lbs and start to feel overpowered at 20mph. I ain't a pro yet hehe. plenty people will have that sucker in 20+ LOL not me.....just yet... hope this helps. Montana's really are great kites and have come leaps and bounds since the first Montana. ;-)

M3s are sweet.............when you pull in your front lines you create slack in the rears, and visa versa. Loose some steering input but allow you to manage the kite. You could go with a clam cleat ala the Neo and M4 which will give you more depower (Im thinking:puzzled:................)

I have been reading some older posts regarding M3s. Sounds like they have some quirks for sure. I know I need to spend a bit more time with this kite. My Frenzy seems to be a much simpler kite, it's pretty much a no-brainer to fly, which was pretty much what I was expecting from the M3...so far that really hasn't been the case.

here is the field card that shows what the knots do. Page 2

http://www.powerkites.de/images/stories/manuals/fc_hq-montan...