Hi all. I'm new here and would appreciate some advice. I'm just starting out and my first kite is a new 09 Cult. I've just been flying on the beach to get the feel for it and am having a lot of trouble steering it. I'm using it as set straight out of the box and the steering very very loose. It seems like the back lines are way too loose and I have to pull the bar as far over as I can to turn the kite. This is true even with the kite sheeted out completely.

Does anyone have an idea on what I'm doing wrong? Any idea on how to correct this? I live in Saudi Arabia and there's not a lot of advice locally on kites.

Thanks all,

Randy

Shorten the back lines and see if it helps. My 08 Cult is a bit mushy to, you have to fishpole it to get it to loop unless you jag it hard in the middle of the window and I've got it set for fastest turning. I haven't flown the 09 so I can't say for sure but I think that there will be adjustment on the kite and the manual should tell you what effect each setting will have. PM JB he always gives good advice.

Pull the floaters up your steering lines a couple of inches, there you will see three adjustment knots set your steering lines on the knot closest to the bar for both of them, if that does not work check that your line legnths are all the same.

Hey Saudi, top place dude as that is where I learnt to kite 8 years back up in Jubail and some epic days down on half moon bay and beyond to the west near the old firing range.

We just got an 09 Cult 12m yesterday for our school so took it for a first fly.

Found it pretty good on the steering with kite loops not a problem and easy turning and sweet performance. Ours was not mushy as your saying so you need to have a look at few things.

1. Front lines - connect to bottom knot on kite pigtail
2. Power trim - fully out (Black ball against cleat) on the smart loop
3. Line Length - Run it on the 20m without the extensions to start with
4. Triming - With the kite in the sky and at 12 o'clock check how far you need to pull the bar in (down towards yourself) to feel the first feeling of load on the kite - harness and notice the the tension on the back lines. If the back lines are still loose and you have the bar all the way in then check your bridle rigging as per your manual otherwise consult Naish or PM me.

Hope this helps and if you haven't had lessons then try and get in touch with a few of the BSA guys from Dakran or the kite shop in Bahrain they may be able to help you out.

All the best Glen

Hi again to all. I can't believe there were so many replies. That's so great. I've looked the kite over and double checked the line lengths which are the same. The steering lines were set on the second knot when I slid up the floaters to have a look. I've moved them down closer to the bar on the third knot and we'll see how that goes. Other than that everything looks pretty normal. There's no knots on the end of the bridle lines for the steering lines so nothing to change there. On the front lines theres a smaller knot right at the end of the pigtail which I can move to. I think I'll wait until I see how moving the steering lines to the third knot affects it before moving the front lines. I'll give this a go and let everyone know how it's going.

For those that have been to Saudi Arabia I'm down at Half Moon Bay at the firing range. There are a few (not a lot) other kiters but they all have slingshots.

Thanks again to everyone again for the replies. Now I'm just waiting for wind.

Randy

Hey rdemaree,

Try middle stearing line knot and lower front line (Kite pigtail) knot first. That should work O.K

And Hey Saffer when where you in Al Jubail, I was there for 5 1/2 years and lived on Pearl Beach compound and Kited with Leon most days from the compound or just north of Al Fanateer and Abu Ali.

Regards

Glen

Hi All. I finally got out and tried all the suggestions here. Thursday (our weekends are thurs & fri) was a terrible sandstorm with 100m visibility and 35kt winds. Being a beginner I decided to not end my life so soon after starting the sport so stayed home. Friday was a great day with clear skies and 16kt winds. I'd moved the steering line knots to the ones closest to the bar, and played a bit with the trim strap till I'd settled with about 4". That was great. I could steer the kite all over easily. The power was set so that by moving the bar out it took out about half the pull on the harness and it felt fine. Now all I need is more wind, more free time and lots more practice.

Here's a question about flying practice. Should I do that standing in the water or is it safe to practice flying the kite on land? On the dvd I've got they practice on the land but alot of others say to only do it in the water. I'd like to just practice flying the kite for a while before I move on so any tips would be a great help.

Now I'll go back to watching the tree tops out the window and wishing it was the weekend.

Thanks again,
Randy