VIC
58 posts
Hi guys,
I was out at Altona on Monday on my 12m (Raputure II,Stonker 130 x 40.5, 67kg) the wind was on the light side...around 15kts gusting to around 18kts.
I am an intermediate rider (just :-) ) and was struggling to go upwind.
I thought it might be the wind conditions that was affecting my upwind performance....that is until another kiter came along on his 14m Vegas as was going upwind with not much effort (the other kiter would have had another 20kg on me).
Does anyone out there have some good tips so I can make better upwind progress in these conditions?
Thanks
WA
268 posts
12m is a bit small for 15knots, but the main thing will proably have been that you let the depower strap all the way out. Its such a common mistake, but when the kite is fully timmed for power (and quite often oversheeted), it creates a lot more drag and sits well back in the window - no chance of you getting up wind like that. Depower the kite slightly and generate power by moving the kite.
Also, try to ride the board flatter, using less edge, but more fin. This will make the board plane more efficiently and need less power in the kite. Voila.
If your still not getting upwind, go to the pub.
NSW
148 posts
G,
You have a really terrible kite. Sorry. I had them in 3 sizes and sent them back in disgust. They don't point well, they turn slowly and the bar pressure is too high. Sell it if you can. I hate bagging other kites for the sake of it but the simple solution is to ask someone on the beach for a quick run on their kite back to back with yours and you will soon see what I mean.
QLD
776 posts
yea get a waroo 12 an you will be chargin up wind with ease in those conditions and with your weight.
