Hi, I would like to know if someone has any good experience with adding line extensions to improve de low range of a Kite.
I have a 14m 2012 Ozone Catalyst and a big board, but would like to know if the 5m or other size line extensions would improve in very light wind conditions.
At Acapulco México, where I normally ride I get some low wind days of 10-13 knots.
I hope I can improve the power of the kite just to cruise and have some fun with the extensions and the big board combo, instead of getting a 17, 18m kite.
I know that the huge kite option would be the perfect solution for those kind of winds, but don´t want to spend that money right know, so hope to make the best of the 14m.
That is why I would like to know if it really does works to have the extensions and if it makes real a difference.
Thanks for any help I can get.
I have a lot of experience light wind kiting and yes - line extensions make a big difference if you have an early planing board/light wind board. Simply the extra power you get with a power stroke on lone lines gets you going and then you can use the apparent wind to keep going. I like to have around 30-32m lines - ie 5-7m extensions, but have used up to 40m. Other trick is to do a down loop (with long lines) when water starting - can get you going in very light winds.
It's awesome I can take my 10m catalyst out when other are on 12 and 13m it was great for me as a one kite quiver while I was still learning. Now I just went and got a bigger one :)
Thanks, I appreciate the comments and advice.
Already stoked about it. I´m gonna get the extensions as soon as I can, so I can be prepared for the next low wind session.
Will let you know how did it went.
Maybe someone can correct me on Naish's current strategy, but I always found it odd how they would supply bars with std 20m lines even with kites over 9m. Sure, they include the set of 4m extentions with say....a 12m kite, but why not just make these bars a full 24m?
(but yes, the extentions make a lot of difference to low-end)
I have a fair bit of experience on a light wind 17m core LW - 2012 - 80kg rider.
I use the 3m extensions only as a last resort to get going in marginal conditions, that is anything below 10 knots with a lightwind board or anything from 10 to 12 knots on a twintip. I find the problem with extension is (other than slower turning/response) it is significantly more difficult to go upwind as the "kite sits deeper in the window" (lostinlondon)
With a light wind specific board like the Airush Sector you can go upwind a lot easier than most other boards so it doesn't make a huge difference whether you have extensions or not...but when using extensions with a twintip to get going in 10 to 12 knots for example, you will find it hard work to even keep your ground after doing a single trick per tack...
I think going for a bigger kite is a better solution for you to make the most out of your 10 to 13 knots days, unless you weigh like 60 kg or something, then a 14m with extensions should be sufficient.
Yer, I guess it makes sense. I've never flown my 12m on the standard 20m lines so not sure how it would behave....
just bought a set of 27m lines cheap.
do the maths...... 25m +27m = next light wind day fun.
we tried stacking my 15m and my 8m, was pretty cool.
anyone tried double lines???
I would like to announce that I was successfully kiting in no wind with 55m lines today.
I used my standard 25m plus 3m extensions and my 27m lines.
It worked awesome, I was down stroking into the oposite direction where normally I would lose speed but gain power. The long lines let me continue forward untill the kite caught back up.
No way I could go upwind the kite sat ages back .
11switchblade. When I decided to come in the kite had no chance in the air when I stopped moving it
