Flysurfer Peak 4

[bitxopalo]

I have a P4 5m and had stability issues, due to gusty and turbulent wind in my home spot.
Specially wingtip foldings.

I have found the solution, I am going to take some pics about it and post it, easy, 10 min and totally reversible

[lederhosen]

I've flown my new 5m now abt 5 times. Wind speeds were in the range of maybe 10knts to 20. It doesn't just flutter. It's like I'm holding a jackhammer. It seems to have a very small sweet spot where this motion stops. I've made sure that all my line lengths on my control bar are equal. What else can I do? The new 4m I bought doesn't have this issue; just the occasional flapping.

It is normal for a 5m peak to flutter in 20kn. The 4m should be better for that wind. I think you are right with the smaller sweetspot. The windrange of singleskins is smaller.

[Flyboy]

I've flown my new 5m now abt 5 times. Wind speeds were in the range of maybe 10knts to 20. It doesn't just flutter. It's like I'm holding a jackhammer. It seems to have a very small sweet spot where this motion stops. I've made sure that all my line lengths on my control bar are equal. What else can I do? The new 4m I bought doesn't have this issue; just the occasional flapping.

Maybe it needs to be set up a bit differently: pigtails to make the front or back lines longer?

[bitxopalo]

This is my fix for the wingtips folding issue on Peak4 5m.

IMO the problem is caused by turbulent wind, and is more frecuent in the upper range (or passed the upper range)
In my spot the wind is unconsistent, so I can not choose between 4m or 5m ...speed wind changes fast ,and wind direction too. Some users suggested high V bars can solve the problem, I have tested both type (low and high V) and got the same annoying wingtip folds.

With the help of flysurfer technical service I have prove the following.
1-in the mixer short 5mm C level and short 10mm B level (order is important cos C is independent from B)
2-Tie trim knot on BI (first you have to untie b6 b5 b4 and b3 make the knot and tie again)
3-Tie trim knot on CI (first you have to untie c6 c5 c4 and c3 make the knot and tie again)

The knots are on the red dots


Here is the result:


For me the result is day and night, I have some HF session recently with horrible gusty wind (coming from the mountains) between 8-25kn and although sometimes was uncomfortable I could keep control. I have not found any change on kite's low end.

hope it helps

[Peter_Frank]

I've flown my new 5m now abt 5 times. Wind speeds were in the range of maybe 10knts to 20. It doesn't just flutter. It's like I'm holding a jackhammer. It seems to have a very small sweet spot where this motion stops. I've made sure that all my line lengths on my control bar are equal. What else can I do? The new 4m I bought doesn't have this issue; just the occasional flapping.

Maybe it needs to be set up a bit differently: pigtails to make the front or back lines longer?

Indeed, equal line lengths are just a rough thumbrule and nothing but that.
You might have to shorten your rear lines yes.

But in 20 knots the 5 m2 Peak4 should work fine on a surfboard

In 10 you cant ride, only if on a hydrofoil board, and only "just about" if average weight.

You dont write what board you use, TT or Surfboard or Hydrofoilboard?

In 20 knots on a surfboard it is a lot of flapping when walking on the beach with the kite depowered though, but I have never experienced any folding in this, or more wind.
But have read about one or two experiencing this?
On a hydrofoilboard I use the 5 m2 in wind between 11 and 15 knots.

You write you have "flown" the kite watercamper?
Does that mean you have not been on the water?

Yes these kites has a smaller sweetspot than LEI kites, but in 5 and 6 m2 it is not that different.
Whereas for the small kites 3 and 4 m2, it is a super small sweetspot, one has to get used to - can be an unwanted experience the first times you ride.
But you will soon get the hang of it, and love how easy it is to control without using any trim

Peter

[Trent hink]

I've flown my new 5m now abt 5 times. Wind speeds were in the range of maybe 10knts to 20. It doesn't just flutter. It's like I'm holding a jackhammer. It seems to have a very small sweet spot where this motion stops. I've made sure that all my line lengths on my control bar are equal. What else can I do? The new 4m I bought doesn't have this issue; just the occasional flapping.

20 knots is too much for the 5 meter on a hydrofoil, but the kite should behave fine in wind speeds well above that as long you keep it slightly powered.

It sounds like something is wrong with your kite, rather than your bar tuning, and if the 4 meter is working fine for you then that probably rules out operator error.

Is it possible that what you are experiencing is related to the span line (b-safe) being a bit too short?

Easy to check and that's the only issue I have heard of that's been reported with solutions on this thread.

It's not impossible that you got a dud... Have you tried contacting your dealer or Flysurfer?

[watercamper]

Ok. I'm digesting what you all have written. I'm 67kilos on a Lift 150, strapless 107cm SS bd. I'm not a beginner. Just new to foil kites. I normally take the 5m out when it starts to get to 11 or so here in Baja. I love the kite. Drift is awesome. I never get to fly the 4m as my wife is using it. I did talk to the local FS guy this am. He said what I see is normal and that I just have to get used to it. I'll play around with some of yor suggestions. Thanks!

[drsurf]

I'm 65kg with a surf foil and the 4m Peak4 is my most used kite. If it's consistently 15 knots and above I'll change to my 3m Peak4. I'll use my 5m Peak4 when it's 12 knots or less.
Therefore I think you're using the 5m in too much wind for your weight and foil when its over 15 knots. It would be ok in 20 knots with a surfboard for example, when the kite has more load on it to stop flapping. But in over 15 knots you're probably sheeting the kite out which will naturally make it luff/flap. The Peak4 kites are powerful for their size and originally designed to pull you up a mountain. You simply have too big a kite for your weight, foil and wind. Get another 4m Peak4 for the stronger days or maybe a 3m Peak4 for your wife
You'll love the 3m when it's over 15knots.

[ieism]

Why is my left steering line always crossed when I self launch the kite?

I know I can walk the lines out and fix it, but im lazy. I don't understand how it happens when I never undo the bar from the kite and it was fine when Ianded it last time... How does this even happen?

[Sceotend]

This is my fix for the wingtips folding issue on Peak4 5m.

IMO the problem is caused by turbulent wind, and is more frecuent in the upper range (or passed the upper range)
In my spot the wind is unconsistent, so I can not choose between 4m or 5m ...speed wind changes fast ,and wind direction too. Some users suggested high V bars can solve the problem, I have tested both type (low and high V) and got the same annoying wingtip folds.

With the help of flysurfer technical service I have prove the following.
1-in the mixer short 5mm C level and short 10mm B level (order is important cos C is independent from B)
2-Tie trim knot on BI (first you have to untie b6 b5 b4 and b3 make the knot and tie again)
3-Tie trim knot on CI (first you have to untie c6 c5 c4 and c3 make the knot and tie again)

The knots are on the red dots


Here is the result:


For me the result is day and night, I have some HF session recently with horrible gusty wind (coming from the mountains) between 8-25kn and although sometimes was uncomfortable I could keep control. I have not found any change on kite's low end.

hope it helps

Interesting, thank you. I might try this myself, even though I have been quite happy with my Peak 4 and usually wing tips are unfolding by shaking the bar or turning the kite.

Comment / Questions:

- B and C level explained in the manual (https://www.manualslib.com/manual/15408 ... =18#manual), as a beginner I didn't know the terminology. Also, should you have written "order is important cos C is dependent from B"?
- What's the best knot type for trimming Bl and Cl?
- Can I use this on Peak 4 8m?