Peter_Frank wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2017 10:13 am
Hmmm, I think there IS a general consensus Frank, that bigger kites makes tacking and jibing easier - you get more time and can make yourself weightless way easier
I know you prefer smaller kites and short lines, but that is your general preference, so maybe you got so used to it that you can tack easier with these now ?
Or is it not specifically for tacking you find short lines and small kites are better ?
Will still say no doubt, that I can see and hear a general consensus that bigger kites makes these moves easier (which I also find myself, eventhough I prefer small kites and longer lines...)
PF
I guess we are both right in a way.
For me it is way easier to tack on short lines and small kites.
But of course in the end it is the easiest for me on the setup I use the most.
Also within my personal kite and bars quiver, the set I use the most makes everything the easiest for me.
But I can also explain a little why I feel for me that smallish kites and shorter lines make it easier for me:
Both gives a more reactive system and can create higher power peaks that create lift and/or weightless moments to switch feet.
This is what I am used to.
So when switching to bigger kites and longer lines, which in my quiver would be the 9m R1 on 17m lines, it already is quite a different timing that is needed and the power peaks are not as explosive (which I like), but longer and stronger.
With the setup just mentioned I am still feeling comfortable, but if going to an extreme for me, like a 15m R1 on 20m lines, which I tested a few times, all my maneuvers feel very weak if I even manage to complete solid percentage of them. I would need quite some time on this system to become comfortable I think. It is completely different riding style than I am used to and I like so much.
And I know that this is completely different or the opposite really for a lot of people. And that is OK.
So yeah, from my perspective I am saying there is no general consensus.
Or what about a mid sized kite on mid length lines is the easiest for tacks
Yodarocket31 wrote:
What about tacking with foil kites vs tube/LEI kites?
I am using North Rebel + Sword2 foil. I can tack in both directions/both sides consistently, but I can only maintain foiling when I loop the kite as I switch feet.
If I simply dive the kite normally, I never seem to get enough lift from a North Rebel and the board always touches down on the water. But maybe my timing/technique is still off and I am diving the kite too late in the tack??
Frank, in one of your videos I see you looping a tube/LEI kite with every tack. Is this because the wind was light, or because these kites simply do not generate enough lift?
Most LEI kites do not offer the same lift during transitions as high aspect foil kites, most people would say that this is why foils make it easier.
Some LEI kites do offer this more than most others, one of them I know is the Ozone Edge.
Regarding that video and me looping the kite out of the tack:
I think in that specific case it actually was to create power to ride/fly out of the maneuver with speed in a low wind situation (for that specific kite size).
But I also do this when well powered ( and also on foil kites) as a fun freeride maneuver. Of course this does not have anything to do with a racing maneuver as a lot of ground is lost while looping the kite which is contra productive when doing a tack in a racing scenario.
Cheers,
Frank
www.famousfrank.com/hydrofoil