Peter_Frank wrote:
Slightly off topic, I know - but curious
Why the lighter setting in onshore conditions ? (I assume you mean waveriding when talking onshore condtions, right ?)
But also in general :
I normally use the opposite settings, than you it seems.
In heavy/normal conditions, I set the bar pressure relatively medium (I like good pressure and feedback).
But in light wind (on bigger kites - otherwise not light wind), I always set it to the the most heavy bar pressure
As you have almost no feedback in really light wind - so you want to compensate by setting to higher pressure - which in reality will be a lot lower because of the lower wind
If you ride with really light bar pressure, most riders will really get an ineffective kite, because over and undersheeting will happen A LOT - without you knowing or being able to feel it
Above means, that I set my big kite/kites to higher pressure, in order to be able to ride waves in light wind with these, and get max power out of the kite
And then I set the bar pressure down, on my smaller kites - because they are usually okay powered, thus resulting in a good kite feedback
Just the opposite as you do it seems, but there could be other factors maybe ?
Interesting

Peter
If you have sine the kite a lot having it at a lower bar pressure, relieves the pressure on the arms. When riding waves, or in light winds I have to turn the kite a lot, on the lighter setting I can use one hand in the center to turn the kite, so no need to have more than one hand on the bar to turn the kite.
Yes I meant onshore wave riding..if you cannot make it down the line..ie on closeout sets, the kite is pretty much in front of you so turning becomes a necessity ..when turning the kite a lot to me it is better to have a light bar setting. In onshore wave conditions the kite has to cover a lot of area and I seem to turn it a lot more. When having the light setting I can actually turn with one hand in the center fairly easy.
I like more feedback on higher winds, especially when I try my lame kiteloops because it gives more feedback, and I can sheet out during the loop instead of going face first into 20 cm of water
In general I would think it will be less over and under sheeting when keeping the bar on lighter settings because you do not move the bar as much up and down, and it therefore becomes more effective..assuming you are using the board well to gain upwind ground...
I'd agree that it is harder to feel the kite on a lighter setting, but this has not really been a problem.