line length issues.....need advice/input.

NCKite_Ryder · Post by **NCKite_Ryder** » Mon May 23, 2011 9:41 am

sc-surfer wrote:Hi again.

Rather than start another thread with noob questions I'll just ask here.

I'm currently riding a Caution Redline 142 TT until I can move to a directional surf style board. Seems to work fine as is with the 4 small fins. However it has holes to add additional fins slightly inside and forward from the current ones.
What benefit would the additional fins bring? Would it hold better going upwind? Obviously if won't slide as well sideways but right now I don't care about that. Additional fins are only $12 each so I could add more pretty cheap if it will improve tracking and upwind riding.

Thanks again for all the help so far!

Monte

its an older style setup, the fins do not offer much besides the mentality that you are getting more tracking on heel edge. Leave them off, and plug em with wax or a sticker, if you don't a stream of water will shoot through them directly into your eye. At least that was my experience on an old SX i used to ride.

sc-surfer · Post by **sc-surfer** » Tue May 24, 2011 1:27 pm

Kitecrazy,

Forgot to say thanks for the brilliant idea of just adding additional pigtails to allow more adjustments. Cheap, easy, and effective. Will go to west marine today to pick up some spectra line.

L.M.G.
Still want to take you up on your offer. Hoping I can get up there later this week. Will call first.

Also an update: got out yesterday with my other bar.... didn't really notice any significant difference but I'm new enough that I might not know what to look for.

Thanks all

Monte

maxsteamer · Post by **maxsteamer** » Wed May 25, 2011 1:41 am

Most kites these days are SLE/Hybrid by design.. and can be trimed-out or- in- with the trim strap ..meaning when you pull the bar all the way down to the C/ loop..and your lines are hooked to a fixed spot ...you can equal- the lines with the strap... in the old days the strap was used to depower the kite itself...and still can be used for this ?? but most kites these days will depowed 100% by pushing the bar away from the rider..If you add knots or pigtails to your lines this will work also..??.. but you will find out what I found out the hard way .. it will equal out the lines but unless you know what your doing ??..you could put stress on the other lines.. I would ask a seasoned kiter to make these changes or do what I do and use the strap to trim them-out.

Max be with you

and thank you for asking alot of questions and please ask a seasoned kiter to make any changes to your kite .. that is a no brainer and won,t cost you a dime..most of the guys and gal,s on here are here to keep you safe and hope you will do the same as you get to the next level. :dance: !!!

kitenaked · Post by **kitenaked** » Wed May 25, 2011 6:13 am

Trim strap won't equal out front lines that are different lengths.

You will need knots or mini pigs.

sc-surfer · Post by **sc-surfer** » Wed May 25, 2011 7:46 pm

Yes. Seems that some mini pigtails will have to do. I'm actually in contact with the manufacturer who has admitted they shipped a batch with bad line lengths. I've asked them to either send me a set of extensions or take the bar in for service. We'll see what they offer of anything.

Thanks for all you help and suggestions. The pigtail extensions make sense logically. I am just asking because I'm new and don't know how things SHOULD be.

Will follow up with the manufacturers respond.

WindMuch · Post by **WindMuch** » Thu May 26, 2011 10:46 am

Whoa... just floated into this thread by happenstance.

Monte, Is that your white Westy in the image?

Here's mine:

I think you've got your rooftop pod installed on the wrong side! (grin)

Looking forward to crossing paths sometime soon,

Kirk out

sc-surfer · Post by **sc-surfer** » Thu May 26, 2011 3:38 pm

WindMuch,

Your right, the pod IS on the wrong side! ;-)

Not my van. Nice one though!

See ya in the water!

jbirdmarin · Post by **jbirdmarin** » Thu May 26, 2011 5:08 pm

Looks like you prob got ALL the info you'd want on this - but in the pic you attached the lines to the bumper then pulled out to the bar? I assume you also did it the reverse? That's the better way to check it. Attached the chicken loop to a stationary object then pull out the lines - that way you'll know exactly how much you need to adjust.

: van.JPG (62.56KiB)Viewed 3611 times

sc-surfer · Post by **sc-surfer** » Thu May 26, 2011 11:45 pm

Jbirdmarin,

Nice ride! Ya figured out how much adjustment I need. Now just waiting to see what the manufacturer will do. If they don't step up, an $11 set of pigtail extensions from NSI should do the trick.

sc-surfer · Post by **sc-surfer** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 6:50 pm

Hi all,

Just a follow up to all your help/suggestions. The manufacturer gave me the run-around. I asked if they would even just send me a set of pigtails ($11 retail!) and no dice. I wasn't really expecting much but thought I'd check out their customer support. I can say I'm not impressed and will buy something else next round. I can't complain too much as I got a smokin' deal on a new quiver that will take me through the learning phase, but the trade off is having no one nearby to work with.

Anyway, the resolution to the situation was to add pigtails per suggestion, and even out the lines. Just added some little ones from Slingshot as that's what Joe had on the rack. Worked like a charm, and flies just fine!

Thanks all, see ya on the water.

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