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Preferred line lenght for wave/freeride hydrofoil?

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How long are your lines when using a LEI on a wave/freeride hydrofoil?

Less than 16 m
3
8%
16-18 m
2
5%
19-21 m
10
26%
22-24 m
13
33%
25-27 m
6
15%
28-30 m
1
3%
Longer than 30 m
2
5%
Depends on kitesize and conditions for me
2
5%
 
Total votes: 39

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Peter_Frank
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Preferred line lenght for wave/freeride hydrofoil?

Postby Peter_Frank » Thu Jan 03, 2019 8:39 pm

Many use their normal bar with std linelengths for hydrofoiling, an easy and very common option.

Many use a bit longer lines, either extensions or dedicated bar(s)

Some use a lot longer lines.

Some use shorter lines.

And racers with foil kites use extremely short lines, to be able to hold as much size as possible in gusts, for max VMG - these are not the target for this poll.


Freeride and wavefun:

- in lighter winds we all use a bit or a lot longer lines I think, so one can pick 2 options in order to cover light wind and more "normal" winds, reasonably.

This poll is about when riding LEIs powered normally in the sweetspot for the individual, with any kitesize - which linelength do you use/prefer for hydrofoiling freeride/wave?
And which linelength do you typically use in low wind?


Feel free to comment with personal liking and input, as it seems we all use extremely different line lengths for foiling :thumb:

8) Peter

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Re: Preferred line lenght for wave/freeride hydrofoil?

Postby slowboat » Thu Jan 03, 2019 9:21 pm

Peter, I like 23 m for waves. 27 for cruising around and underpowered conditions.

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Re: Preferred line lenght for wave/freeride hydrofoil?

Postby Peter_Frank » Thu Jan 03, 2019 9:34 pm

I got it a bit different than you slowboat.

For waves I like 26-27 m especially with really small kites where short lines dont work at all for me, as I would get too powered (because of a bigger kite needed) when going around on the wavefaces now in more wind, even if kite close to 12.

And longer when marginal wind.

8) Peter

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Re: Preferred line lenght for wave/freeride hydrofoil?

Postby tkaraszewski » Fri Jan 04, 2019 2:03 pm

20m lines for LEI kites for freeride/surf. I tried 15m lines on my 7m, and it felt weirdly underpowered. I've tried 24m lines because I have a North bar that has stock 24m lines, but I don't like it better.

So I stick with my 20m lines on my 5m and 7m F-One Bandits that I ride a lot.

I have 12m lines on my 10m Flysurfer Soul and am pretty happy with that.

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Re: Preferred line lenght for wave/freeride hydrofoil?

Postby Kamikuza » Fri Jan 04, 2019 2:36 pm

slowboat wrote:
Thu Jan 03, 2019 9:21 pm
Peter, I like 23 m for waves. 27 for cruising around and underpowered conditions.
Have two bars, 3m extensions on one and try to do as you do, but don't notice any difference :lol:

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Re: Preferred line lenght for wave/freeride hydrofoil?

Postby ulx » Fri Jan 04, 2019 6:05 pm

For the last two years or so I used 20 m lines for foiling and Surfboard (5-10m). Now Frank Rosin has made me curious about shorter lines. I would like to stick to one bar for everything. Maybe try 17m or so first and see how it goes.

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Re: Preferred line length for wave/freeride hydrofoil?

Postby Peter_Frank » Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:19 pm

Kamikuza wrote:
Fri Jan 04, 2019 2:36 pm
slowboat wrote:
Thu Jan 03, 2019 9:21 pm
Peter, I like 23 m for waves. 27 for cruising around and underpowered conditions.
Have two bars, 3m extensions on one and try to do as you do, but don't notice any difference :lol:

Thats a bit odd :roll:

I find a huge difference whether I go 26-27 m (normal foilbar for me) or 30 meter lines.

A lot more room for longer powerstrokes and looping the kite with speed while it still pulls up and not horizontal - this is the key to low wind riding, or riding with a really small kite, and most important to be able to waterstart, in my experience.
Also easier to save the kite from the water, when a lull passes and kite to one side, with longer lines.

Below 8 knots with LEI's I never use less than 30 m lines because of this.

Maybe you are too powered when comparing Kami?
Or maybe the lines are too short if you go from 23 to 26 m?
Since you can not feel any difference...

One has to remember to let the bar out and the kite fly more depowered when using longer lines in these conditions, this is essential.

Find it a bit odd, as I havent met anyone who can not feel this difference in low end options...
Whether one likes to ride with short or long lines is a personal choice of course, but you should definitely be able to get going easier in less wind with the longer ones.

8) PF

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Re: Preferred line lenght for wave/freeride hydrofoil?

Postby flying grandpa » Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:42 pm

On 10m Soul-11 m lines give me best harmony between kite and foil turning frequency.

But, unexpectedly, a bit longer lines on 6m Soul gives the best synchronization in waves as well in jumps.

Foil kites have longer bridle 4-5 m so to compare with LEI add another 3m.

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Re: Preferred line lenght for wave/freeride hydrofoil?

Postby matanshapira » Sat Jan 05, 2019 6:35 am

Do the long lines provide more pull for waterstart with power sweep than normal lines (20m) with kite/down loop?

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Re: Preferred line length for wave/freeride hydrofoil?

Postby Kamikuza » Sat Jan 05, 2019 7:08 am

Peter_Frank wrote:
Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:19 pm
Thats a bit odd :roll:

I find a huge difference whether I go 26-27 m (normal foilbar for me) or 30 meter lines.

A lot more room for longer powerstrokes and looping the kite with speed while it still pulls up and not horizontal - this is the key to low wind riding, or riding with a really small kite, and most important to be able to waterstart, in my experience.
Also easier to save the kite from the water, when a lull passes and kite to one side, with longer lines.

Below 8 knots with LEI's I never use less than 30 m lines because of this.

Maybe you are too powered when comparing Kami?
Or maybe the lines are too short if you go from 23 to 26 m?
Since you can not feel any difference...

One has to remember to let the bar out and the kite fly more depowered when using longer lines in these conditions, this is essential.

Find it a bit odd, as I havent met anyone who can not feel this difference in low end options...
Whether one likes to ride with short or long lines is a personal choice of course, but you should definitely be able to get going easier in less wind with the longer ones.

8) PF
Let me clarify -- I don't notice any difference in usefulness for riding, especially in low wind.


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