Getting max power from the kite - lines and knots

So when flying bow/hybrid kites, I'm told to use the knot closest to the kite to get max power from the kite - on the rear lines.
Which I guess in effect shortens the rear lines....

But when depowering my kite, - doesnt this then lengthen the centre lines ?
And if that is the case , then surely this is the same as shortening the rear lines?

I would have thought - lengthening the rear lines, makes the kite wider/flatter and would give more power?

Following on from this,
so if the wind is realyl light , should I then used the knots closest to the kite for my rear lines, and then the knot closest to my bar for the center lines
(kook proof knots)
Im flying a Switchblade........

thanks

Yep you are thinking the right way now BigMark100!
However think speed when you shorten the front lines, not depower. The front lines adjuster is not a power/depower adjuster, its a trim adjuster.
Power/depower is a throwback to the days of dinosaurs, when people who new very little about kites, had a major market share and tended tto come from a non kiting background.

Shortening the front lines will allow you to sail upwind easier and will actually give you more power in lighter winds becase the kite will fly faster.
Shortening the front lines, trims the kite control bar so that you don't have to extend your arms to steer it in stronger winds.

Generally for almost all kites, optimum trim adjustment is all done at the bar. Optimal trim adjustment (at the bar) can be checked by attaching all 4 flying lines (not the 5th, leave it out of this adjustment) to a common point.
Set the trim strap or cleat to its longest setting ("oldschool speak" - set at most power)

Pick up the bar and lines and pull on the bar and the chicken loop. You should have 6-10cm between the top of the chicken loop and the bar.

So you can see that when you push ther bar away, you are just loosening the rear lines, in relation to the front lines.

If you pull on the trim strap or cleat, you are effectively doing the same thing.

Using the different knots is almost pointless, there is more than enough adjustment available at the trim strap and by pushingthe bar out, the extra 2 - 5cm gained by using an extra knot at the connection point for the lines will give minimal advantage.

Tightening the rear lines beyond the point where all 4 lines are equal - which is "max power" in oldschool speak, only slows the kite down and will eventually stall it and make it fly backwards.

Good kitedesigns do not require lots of rear line tension, the opposite actually.

Hope that helps

I always connect to the middle knots on all kites and use the trim strap to adjust the bar position for comfortable riding stance/posture.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve