Kite Line lengths?

[Qiter]

For inflatable kites:
With short lines you sacrifice performance, mainly low end and upwind ability (wind window gets smaller).
The upside is that the kite is more reactive, which is nice for certain tricks.

So for cruising, long lines, for tricks, short lines.
Some tricks, like the "around the world" are virtually impossible on long lines (I know some pros do it but not for the mere mortals..)

[Peter_Frank]

I use 20 m lines on my 10 m and 12 m O.R. flites
Better timing for me and a lot more range on foil, not over powerd early like with 24 meter lines
I bring the 4 m extension set with me but I never use them
I use 24 m lines on my 7 m for better low end

I got it just opposite.

Using longer lines because upper end is about the same, but lower end hugely moved down - meaning much more range.
Giving you the ability to ride smaller kites, thus not getting overpowered when riding on the wave faces.
For marginal winds I can carve around flying without downlooping, only with long lines, not possible for me otherwise, as way too short power delivery when carving downwind, if shorter lines.

Racers seek to be able to use the absolute biggest kitesize possible, and don't care about low end, also important to be able to make transitions overpowered, which is easier with the short ones, thus short lines.
Also lower line drag and better upwind.
Max performance and easy control when powered max, is the target.


So I think it depends if you are into one or the other camp, or in between, regarding your line length preference

Peter

[vakiter]

i have to agree to Cdog on this one. shorter lines have less power on a downstroke, ie limits low end for foil. i also ride flite 10/12 on 18m lines a lot. very fun. upper end seems a bit better in that its less gust-sensitive, but i think this is marginal. also short liens make it harder to loop the 12. 10 loops very tightly.
i have not ridden lines shorter than 18.

[tomtom]

Peter - which line length you are settled for peaks? Same as other kites - to not mess with timing?
I have feeling that Peak do not benefit from longer lines as much as other kites /power stroke is different - weaker than other kites - so longer lines wont help as much/

Im using 25 m lines at the moment but im thinking about make it shorter - for specific tight launch spot where I spend whole summer.

Many thanks.

[Peter_Frank]

Peter - which line length you are settled for peaks? Same as other kites - to not mess with timing?
I have feeling that Peak do not benefit from longer lines as much as other kites /power stroke is different - weaker than other kites - so longer lines wont help as much/

Im using 25 m lines at the moment but im thinking about make it shorter - for specific tight launch spot where I spend whole summer.

Many thanks.

I think the same Tom, see my post on page 1, all lengths I use is there

[Cdog]

Oh
I also found it easier to control line tension with the shorter lines
This help me foil

[Matt_TYRCZ]

I guess question is what kiting you want to do and than choose your lines ,

boosting on kite bigger than 10 m I use 24m lines , regular bar
kite smaller than 10 m use 22 m lines , short bar
kite loops 20 m lines - more radical loops 15-18 m lines, short bar
light wind big kites 24 + extensions 3 m lines , regular bar
unhook 22-24 m lines , short bar
surfing and folling up to 20 m lines I guess

[tomtom]

Peter - which line length you are settled for peaks? Same as other kites - to not mess with timing?
I have feeling that Peak do not benefit from longer lines as much as other kites /power stroke is different - weaker than other kites - so longer lines wont help as much/

Im using 25 m lines at the moment but im thinking about make it shorter - for specific tight launch spot where I spend whole summer.

Many thanks.

I think the same Tom, see my post on page 1, all lengths I use is there

sorry did not saw it

[OzBungy]

With short lines you get a shorter power stroke. Arguably everything else improves.

You get faster turning and redirection. You can force the kite further forward, and redirect it more quickly back into the window.

Longer lines give better drift, but the redirection of short lines is a hoot in the waves. Lots of snappy turns.

Kite loops can be a worry on a foil because the "cone" is smaller and closer to the water. It's a bit scary seeing the nose of the board pass between the lines during a messed up loop.

Ultimately all you can do is try it yourself. Cut your lines down into three sections, say 3m and 6m extensions then the remaining lines (or any other multiple). Assuming you start with 24m lines then you can experiment with 24m, 21m, 18m and 15m.