Thinking of running a set of short lines this winter to increase my wind range. How much more should I expect and how short to go? Was thinking 20-22m.
Currently ride to 30kts 8m Catalyst and 6'0 Wam

What's your current wind range on your 8m?
Down side of short lines is you'll feel the gusts a lot more.

I run all my kites on 21m lines except my 14's on 25m had both the Park and Trx 8m out in 40knots and my escape and fury 9m out in 36-38 so the shorter lines work well and its real gusty here, majority of winter rides can be anywhere in the 20-40knot range,tried the 25's on the smaller kites but never liked them dont think 15's would be any good in the lulls,prob be ok in real consistant wind though.

Jr Walks said...

What's your current wind range on your 8m?
Down side of short lines is you'll feel the gusts a lot more.

what is the upside of short lines? is it only top end...the kite would be a lot quicker I should imagine...shorter line less reaction time...hope this aint a stupid question....I have 7 and 9 wainmans which have the options of short or long and I have never used the short option....what...if anything have I been missing.

yeehaa said...

arkgee said...

Jr Walks said...

What's your current wind range on your 8m?
Down side of short lines is you'll feel the gusts a lot more.

what is the upside of short lines? is it only top end...the kite would be a lot quicker I should imagine...shorter line less reaction time...hope this aint a stupid question....I have 7 and 9 wainmans which have the options of short or long and I have never used the short option....what...if anything have I been missing.

I was wondering the same thing. I've heard they're better for looping? Is that because of the speed of the kite or the lack of power in the loop? Or both?

Spot on, only small differences with shortening your lines.

Kites quicker, More feel and response in the lines and less lines equals less line to get tangled.
Downside is your kite will jump up and down the wind window and less power.

Depending on how much you shorten your lines will effect how extreme the pro's and cons are.
Try look at some Lou Wainman videos when he rode Wipika he used to ride 7m lines.

kite just becomes more jumpy in the wind and you get a fair bit more top end out of the kite when you got the control for it. i wouldnt go shorter than 18s, i used the schools 15s a few times for a laugh in 25 - 30 and it was still a bitch to ride with them on a TT, would be fun on a surfy though.

WRT loops it just makes it easier to get the kite lower in the loop and less drag from the lines lets it fly up faster to catch you better. imo if you loop properly and get the kite low, short lines often give a lot more aggressive power than long lines. i think its just to do with the increased turn and forward speed of the kites. just need to be more lit up before they start working well that's all.

Nick
I think this video should explains it all

Do you still have a two line, Steve? Maybe I need to borrow it to really advance my freestyle
Two liner and Phil's Bic board would look like a time warp!

NickT said...

Do you still have a two line, Steve? Maybe I need to borrow it to really advance my freestyle
Two liner and Phil's Bic board would look like a time warp!

Ye still have 4 of them.
Did you notice how it was all unhooked, those French guys only hooked in to do their hair.

i have no short line advice. but my little 6m reo loves 30plus. its a mad little kite that makes extreme conditions easy.

Love 7 & 9 fuels on 20M lines. definitely feels like I get more top end.