www.kitesurfing.ie/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&p=76872

I can see a reason that people preferred 5th lines back in 05 but these days it's actually a lot quicker to relaunch without it. I guess it gives some people piece of mind in case of emergency. But lets face it, those same people are going to be screwed in an emergency anyway, and 5th line is the last thing they are going to think about using.

p.s. It actually reminds me of handles on boards, you got all these goofballs out there who wont buy a board without a suitcase handle glued to it. Like somehow it's some magical object that is impossible to pick up without it... Those same people should stick handles to their surfboards to I reckon.

freedomtrail said...

the 5th on the fuel must have some benefit for re-launch as I believe Andy Yates rides with the 5th line..

Well in that case...

It would be nice to have a 5th on the 13m so you can tease it up when it's really light and marginal.

Return of split struts will be interesting. They were thin on the old fuels and there were quite a few seam failures from the bend in the struts when not under load on the beach.

Got a better view on the design? Fuels were always the most distinctive panel layout/design for me. Wasn't a huge fan of the '11 design.

Loved the 5th on '07/'08 but it was needed for easy relaunch. '09 on relaunch great and reverse launch is easy.