backstalling

> 10 years ago
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ezza
ezza
NSW
561 posts
NSW, 561 posts
26 Dec 2008 10:03pm
OK so this may be a question with an obvious answer, so go easy on me, please!

I have a 9m Rev, and i weigh about 58kgs. I kite on a section of flatwater that has pretty gusty / unstable winds (cos it's that or the beach, and i'm a learner).

I went out in wind that was supposedly 10 knots by the local weatherstation (maybe 9 gusting to 13) today and had the the depower fully let out and the backlines on the 2nd knot. it was really unstable, the kite seemed to be flying backwards at times and falling out of the sky.

Is this just a light wind issue or could something else be wrong?

Thanks for your help
Saffer
Saffer
VIC
4501 posts
VIC, 4501 posts
26 Dec 2008 10:18pm
if the wind drops below the kites ability to keep in the air, it will backstall, no matter what kite it is. There are some kites which are more prone to backstalling but the solution is normally to sheet the bar out when it back stalls.
ezza
ezza
NSW
561 posts
NSW, 561 posts
26 Dec 2008 10:27pm
Thanks Saffer. Sheeting it out had limited effect so i guess it was just the low wind. Was kiting by myself so wasn't sure if it was something i was doing or not.
SaveTheWhales
SaveTheWhales
WA
1913 posts
WA, 1913 posts
26 Dec 2008 11:21pm

So many naughty kiters this year !!!

Santa gave the good kids in Perth 25+ knots today

Oh well - we'll just have to send a sympathy can of Baked beans for an extra knot or two

Xmas Cheers
Bigwavedave
Bigwavedave
QLD
2057 posts
QLD, 2057 posts
27 Dec 2008 10:41am
Setting the 'depower' fully out does not mean maximum power. It is for trimming the kite so as to achieve maximum stability for the wind conditions. It is particularly important in light winds to get your kite trimmed properly.

Most people these days are not using the trim strap (depower) to its full potential (or at all) and end up flying with the bar too far out and a subsequent poo-man stance. Trimmed out does not mean maximum power!

Park the kite at 45 degrees at the edge of the window, and pull the bar all of the way in. If the kite stalls (flies backwards) you need to adjust the trim until it stops.
KIT33R
KIT33R
NSW
1716 posts
NSW, 1716 posts
27 Dec 2008 7:17pm
Not sure what you're riding but if your back lines are too short you can easily choke the kite with a little bar pressure and it will back stall.

If your back lines are tight with the bar fully out then they are too short and you will not be able to stear the kite comfortably.

Maybe get someone with a little knowledge to check out the set up. You may need to get some leader lines to lengthen your back lines a bit. A few cm can make a lot of difference. If its a second hand kite sometimes people sell them with a bar that is not compatible with the kite and this can lead to problems.

Like what bigwave dave says is true also, play with the trim strap
ezza
ezza
NSW
561 posts
NSW, 561 posts
27 Dec 2008 11:03pm
Thanks for the advice guys, trimmed it up today and with a few knots extra wind it was behaving itself again
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