This is an inquiry instead of a review. What are your experiences are with line extensions. (please don't suggest alternatives i.e bigger board, this is about line extensions ONLY). I can't seem to find any good information on the topic, if you have some please forward it to me.
My research has shown me:
- slower turning speed
- longer power stroke allows you to generate more apparent wind
- reaches cleaner, and more wind (temp gradient.. ect)
- you can get 2 knots extra with the addition of 10m to your lines
(these may be incorrect, just stuff I've picked up from sifting through 10pgs of google)
Agree/disagree? Your experiences? If so please state your kite, your weight, your extensions used, and approximate wind speed.
Cheers,
Dan
edit: spoke to soon, great thread over here if anyone is interested:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Can-someone-please-explain-line-length-effect/?SearchTerms=extension
admin can delete this.
Hi mate,
I used my 10 meters extension lines from my Griffin kite to my Rally Slingshot kite.
Noticed: 1. Slower response time.
2. Flimsier unstable kite
3. Lighter bar feeling
4. Unnoticeable power difference
Result: On a Slingshot Rally......no good. Did it just for fun!
Hope this helps!
I went from 24metre lines to 29m for my Crossbow 13m to use in lightwinds
Took a couple of runs to tweak the rear line adjustments but once set up
there was a noticeable difference in bottom end. turns were a slightly slower but nothing major. you generate some lift going from 9 up to 12 WWWWWOOOOOWWWWW 
And its pretty fun when the breeze comes in at about 20knts.
Using longer lines to get more power is not something new even could sound strange for you... Racers and speed-racers have been using longer lines for so long, so you could get some info in racing specific forums:
kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=159&t=2370103
There is a lot of experience using longer lines, and there is an specific IKA limitation rule for lines lenght for racing (as there is for boards width, fins lenghts, etc). Why having a limitation for racing official competitions if there is no advantage using longer lines?
Could be strange first time you try and has nothing to see with kite stability. The kite could be less responsive (slower response/turning) and you could need some practice to get any advantage. If you are using a slow turning kite just think that it wil turn even slower, but anything else... Riding in low wind needs some different technique.
I would only recommend you to use longer lines to get a better low end when using big kites in low wind (when you couldn't get it changing to a bigger board or bigger kite).
My recommendation: just try, try, try... and decide by your own
seems to work well on bigger kites 12-17m kites ,not that great on smaller kites 10m and under,better powerstroke and better for loops on bigger kites ,i only go for a 4m extension it def makes a diff.
I'm a light weight and I'm using until 40m lines with any problem on a 17m kite to get out in 7knots average with a big race board, but I know some of top pro racers heaviers than me using 45-50 m lines kitelooping with any problem in 5-6 knots (impossible for me the first time I tried one of their kites with 50m lines - even I have experience riding with 40m lines).
When using so long lines is recommended to use few extensions as possible (the best is using long lines with no extensions). Pro riders usually prepare different lines with different lenghts and are normally not using extensions to reduce friction (friction is the most important reason for not using lines longer than 50m).
Sorry - maybe for me only but I am happy with 21m lines on 8 to 12 m TRX and Argo Griffins
Thanks everyone for your info. Great little link Cattal, I can see how adding extensions though may seem practical would be inefficient. It seems the best way is to try. Now on purchasing.. hmmm.
I ordered a set of lines. a set of 5m and 10m line extensions. I'll see how it goes on my convert and report back.
