27M lines vs 20M Lines??

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

I was wondering how much of a difference 27M lines are compared to 20M lines. I know you can generate more power with longer lines, however, are the longer lines harder to manage? Is it more complicated to pull off tricks?

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Shorter lines make a huge difference when it comes to kite response/speed and how easy it is to stomp the kite (which I guess we could call high end range), but what do you mean when you say for more complicated tricks? Like handlepasses, kiteloops, and big boosts?

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 491 Posts Obsessed

huge difference. even 3m is very significant. just get something moderate like 23-25.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

All depends what your used to. For tricks, the shorter lines will definitely require a light touch on the bar or a planed kiteloop at initiation or finish. Your not going to get the same height and the kite will fly across the window in a nano second. Handle passes I think are easier, and kiteloops are much more extreme as the kite will be underneath you and pulling very hard and quickly downwind. Basically short lines require you to be a hell of a lot more precise, but are a lot more fun to ride.

Personally I am finding that I am starting to ride shorter and shorter. For my SLE's I have been on 15m lines recently and using 17m on my C's. Boosting larger air just takes better timing and riding a slightly larger kite. I like the feel of going with the kite on the shorter lines, rather than having the kite move across the sky with you pendulming underneath.

Note that on larger kites (12m and up), that short lines become a detriment to the kites performance by pinching it a bit. For my larger kites I ride 20m, and on the bigguns (16m and up), I stay with 24m lines. Just my humble opinion, and you should experiment with all sorts of line lengths as it will make you a better rider and is fun. Lou has a set of 6m lines and will self launch his kite by just chucking it into the air. Pretty cool to watch in person.

Jon

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

I like 23's, good compromise. If you can afford it have two bars, one with short lines and one with longer. IMO 27m is much too long though, I'd go 25m max.

Gabe is right, 3m is a huge difference.

holly · Since 09 Jul 2006 440 Posts Hood River Obsessed

there is a huge difference, imagin flying a 10m vs 7m. 7m is quicker flying than a 10m. same idea with shorter lines, they respond quicker. thats great if your riding waves, but if you want to boost then longer lines are more efficient for that. shorter lines are also nice if you dont have a small kite, and you might be a bit over powered. i like my 20m lines, but its nice to have a choice, so haveing both is prime!!

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Thanks everyone for the input!! Sounds like two bars with two length of lines it the way to go.

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 491 Posts Obsessed

i saw a video of that--very cool. i think that's the ultimate dream--to launch our own kite with no beach required.

but what kind of riding is lou actually doing with this setup? i saw him once on his little eyeball kite, mini lines, and surfboard, but he was underpowered and just went downwind immediately. it's interesting gear, but even with videos i've never seen what he really does with it. ride waves, strapless tricks, just cruise and carve?

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1738 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

Lou is ripping the waves to shreds now on this set up... I think his lines have lengthed out a bit to the 10-12m range, but man he goes unhooked and strapless and kills it on the waves.

Lou is one mellow happy cat and super fun to kite with. Always smiling and hooting it up on the water. Come over this winter Gabe, ya got lots to learn (as do I also) from the guys ripping the waves here in Maui. Even now with summer flatness setting in, Lanes still get some really nice head high plus down the line windswell.

Jon

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 491 Posts Obsessed

sounds good. what is the best time for both consistent wind and waves? i was thinking sept-oct, because that's when the king of the air was, and they probably wanted those conditions. but if you look through the wind archives, it's still a gamble.

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

i think 23m lines are the best compromise. I ride w/ only 23m lines. I've ridden 20m lines on an 11m fuel and it felt pretty much the same, but you get a bit more boost w/ the 23m lines. Eventually i will probably put 20m lines on my 9m but i think if you're only going to have 1 bar or 1 length of lines 23m is the best compromise. You get really good response, really good boost and are (i am atleast) able to throw down huge powered kiteloops.

the difference between 23m lines and anything longer than 23m is seriously noticeable. Like other people have stated and i agree you would only want longer lines than that if you have a 16m+ size of kite. This will provide more power in the lighter winds which is the reason for having that big ass kite, right. Wink

I have 27m lines on my machine, but dont really ride it anymore.