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Who is using line lengths longer than 25 m for under 9 knots?

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Flyboy
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Re: Who is using line lengths longer than 25 m for under 9 knots?

Postby Flyboy » Tue Aug 31, 2021 2:20 am

IMO longer lines are somewhat similar to larger kites - there's a diminishing return. You have to decide when exactly there's no point in going longer/larger ... & that depends partly on your weight, wing size & your local conditions.

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Re: Who is using line lengths longer than 25 m for under 9 knots?

Postby Peter_Frank » Wed Sep 01, 2021 10:19 pm

Hmmm, I cant see how it depends on your local conditions at all?
Sub 9 knots is sub 9 knots no matter what...

Diminishing returns is interesting yes, and true.

I have found that above 30 meters there isnt really any gain no matter how big the kites are, unless you got a severe different wind gradient, but if we just talk "normal" winds, 30 to 32 seems to be absolute max.

But I also found the opposite to be true, if smaller kites below 8-10 m2, then shorter lines are better, but when you get down to 18-20 m lines, there is diminishing returns when going shorter....

Meaning a lot less range, and not any advantages, IMO.

Talking about hydrofoiling with the typical bigger wings (only), surf or freestyle.

So when you get down to 6-7 m2 foil kites and below, you dont gain in longer lines no, but you dont gain in shorter lines either.
Depending on riding style, the short lines till diminishing return might vary a bit though.

Unless you need to ride overpowered with your smallest kite of course, but then you miss a smaller size which would be better.

8) Peter

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Re: Who is using line lengths longer than 25 m for under 9 knots?

Postby drsurf » Thu Sep 02, 2021 5:02 pm

14m lines on the 3m Peak4 are great for wind over 25 knots for my 65kg weight :D

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Re: Who is using line lengths longer than 25 m for under 9 knots?

Postby lightwind » Thu Sep 02, 2021 6:37 pm

I use 10 m extensions with my 10 m strutless kite when the winds are under 9 knots. It helps a lot for the waterstarts. My bar is 23 m originally.

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Re: Who is using line lengths longer than 25 m for under 9 knots?

Postby abel » Thu Sep 02, 2021 7:58 pm

lightwind wrote:
Thu Sep 02, 2021 6:37 pm
I use 10 m extensions with my 10 m strutless kite when the winds are under 9 knots. It helps a lot for the waterstarts. My bar is 23 m originally.
This is exactly what I experienced today in my first 8kts session ever.
I normally use 23m lines, now added 4m for the foil kite.
Water starts are definitey better with 27 lines.
As a mater of fact, geometrically it adds 3.14 m to each additional meter. So 4 m. add 12m to the swing from side to side of the window edge. That gives a lot of pulling time for the water start, no matter if you multiple swing the kite from side to side or loop it.

Thanks for the replies, they help to increase confidence :hangloose:
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Re: Who is using line lengths longer than 25 m for under 9 knots?

Postby Peter_Frank » Fri Sep 03, 2021 11:14 pm

Very true Abel.

The waterstart itself is most important when not using racekites, and here longer lines both gives a much more efficient long sweep, but it can also be looped a lot higher at a "not too tight" radius, meaning a lot more power, and the pull goes UP, which is essential for light wind waterstarts.

The other main advantage is you get a longer powersweep when carving, so you can carve fully foiling in less wind, than with shorter lines :thumb:

Depends on your kites also, where it changes - but for me I have found exactly the same "border" close to 9 knots, where longer lines 26 to 30 meters are much better, and above that you can use standard lines, whatever that is for you (20 to 25 meters)

8) Peter


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