Hey thestig,

Yes, you can add lines up to about 40m in total length, but no longer. It will increase the length of the power stroke for a more sustained power dive which will probably give you what you need.

Did you know that you can also creat power on the "up stroke". By sheeting out a little, the angle of attack of the foil to wind direction will be eased and will allow the kite to increase speed and subsequently increase apparent wind power. Another tight turn and the second dive, and you'll be up and away.

Now for the negetive: By adding line length, you also add lines at perpendicular angle to the wind, which equals a fair bit of drag. Drag from the lines, at the kite end, will hold the kite back in the wind window ie, you'll lose upwind ability which will make it harder to stay upwind especially in marginal winds.

The next problem is that the back lines will droop with the line drag and hang in big loops back in the wind. This adds slack to the steering lines and will make your steering less responsive although it should be OK with 40m, to go longer becomes very hard to steer and go upwind.

These problems can be offset to a degree by using thinner lines, but that just starts getting silly.

Buy yourself a set of 10m line extensions and have fun! It's all good! Other option is I'm sure you could find a second hand or even superceded bow kite for a few hundred dollars and voila!

Good winds,

Stig, I had a TD when they came out. Because of the 2:1 setup, the kite turns very quickly and depowers very quickly and can lose a fair bit of power through the turns. The best technique I found in generating power in the up turn and down turn was to set my stopper half way or so down the depower line so that on the upturn I depowered up to the stopper and do a slow bigger arc turn back up.
I'd say 11-12 is pretty marginal for a 10 so you're doing well.

Wow, options options options. Thanks guys.

If you have an old set of lines just use them and double them up. Larcs head one set to the other.

I tried it once in marginal winds 14-15knts and had 60m lines up.
As long as the kite flies your fine. I didnt have much trouble with drag etc.

The big issue is setting up space and flying with other kites as you use up heaps of air space. Also strange looks from other kiters

Down stroke power was unreal and the kite accellerates and flies quickly so be sure to give yourself plenty of space to turn it back up.

I found it gave me a sore back from the pull.

Worth a try.

Hi kathypacific

My big board is a 138 x 42. Width is more important than length as well as very little rocker (really flat board). If you have small feet wide boards can be a real pain in the shins though. I would suggest trying a few first until you find one that is comfortable. Sometimes I borrow a 152 Underground from a friend which really motors in light winds. it's pretty wide but you can't throw it around like a smaller board.

Other light wind tips are - keeping the kite moving, using each stroke to generate power, down stoke and up stroke. This is a learnt art. Also flatten the board on the water to increase the wetted area, don't edge too hard and use your hips to keep the board up wind. This means centering your weight a bit until the board nearly slides sideways. Use the swells to maintain speed, don't plow through them but go with them when necessay to get some lift. Bear away in the lulls and edge in the gusts. Once you have board speed the apparent wind on the kite will give you even more speed.

Light wind riding is a real art. You have to feel the water under you and fly with your fingertips. If all this sounds a bit airy don't dispare, light wind flying can be a real challenge and once learnt will improve your general kiting no end.

My theory is that big kites are for big people not light winds.

I windsurfed for about 10 years until I saw the light and I've been kiting about 5 years now. I think you're right, these tactics are universal to all forms of sailing. Some people find light wind boring but it can be fun and challenging. The young guys generally don't get it. You certainly have to think a lot more while you're on the water.

ispi said...

KIT33R said...

Another option is to get a second board. Wider, flatter, longer, planes early - makes a huge difference in light winds. Get one second hand. It will be a cheaper option than a bigger kite and last a hell of a lot longer.

My biggest kite is a 10m. I can stay up wind in 10 knots on my bigger board. (I weigh about 64 kgs, which helps too)

Don't you mean 46kg ?????

Cheers,

FELIX

Be afraid, be very afraid.