Cabrinha Drifter kite setting question for foiling

cathy o. · Since 11 Aug 2014 90 Posts

Hi. I'm just starting to foil and I'm using my Drifters. There are some line attachment settings on the leading edge: Offshore/sideshore and on the wingtips: A or B for de-power travel lengths.

Any foilers out there changing these setups specifically for foiling? I know they are mostly used for wave sailing conditions but thought they might be useful for handling while foiling? Thanks!

skideeppow · Since 26 Aug 2011 523 Posts Addicted

i tried to non factory settings (dont know which one) but the kites sat so far back, i could not stand it. I enjoy having the kite in front of me, not right on top of me or even close to behind me.

Slappysan · Since 13 Jun 2012 309 Posts Obsessed

If you are foiling waves downwind then you'll want to keep the factory on-shore setting which keeps the kite deeper in the window and allows better drift (I find the bar pressure quite high in this setting though, but I've only used it with SB).

If you are boosting and want to ride with kite power downwind you'll want the off-shore setting which moves the kite further forward in the window, reduces bar pressure and reduces slack line turning ability.

A vs. B is just a question of turning response / bar pressure.

user124 · Since 02 Aug 2012 391 Posts Portland Obsessed

I've always left my drifters on the "on-shore" setting for foiling as well as riding surfboard on waves/swell. The downwind drift is what makes the drifter such an excellent kite. And at least for freestyle foiling its nice to have that drift when you start going downwind and outrun your kite. I think the "off-shore" setting adds some versatility to the drifter for certain situations, but if you want a kite that sits further forward in the window or is more efficient for upwind, foil racing etc then then you may be better off with a different kite.