Okay guys and gals, I'm still learning here but I seem to be having some trouble getting my 2012 lithium 12m relaunched in lighter winds. I can get it to roll over and start heading for the edge of the window... looking good, then it just stops. It just sits there with the leading edge angled down 10-20 deg, almost like the wingtip is hung up. I'm hooked in and no anount of pulling on the rear line will get it to budge. Eventually either drift to the beach, or a bigger gust may get it. Is the wind just too light (varying from marginal planing on a TT in the lulls to cruising pretty well in the gusts).
Thanks!

Yeah I think it's just too light. The lithium is a delta kite and like all other delta kites have no problem relaunching. What you can do to squeeze a little more relaunch out of it when it's really marginal is to full a little on the front lines to 'open up' the kite a little, while at the same time teasing one backbone that you would normally pull for relaunch. It sometimes helps.

Also rather than just waiting for the kite to move to the edge of the window, you could walk to the other side and a very little but downwind. Just don't loose tension in your lines. Again that sometimes helps just eeking the kite out of the water when you need it most.

I've not tried the 12 but had a fair few goes on the 9m and found it super easy to relaunch - could just be a 'knack' thing maybe? - hard to give advice without seeing you.

Ideally let the bar out (don't choke it) and then just kinda be patient / tug a wee bit on the upper back line...

I am a beginner as well and I actually got the lithium because of the easy relaunch, it's basically an auto relaunch most of the time. I am using the 14 and can relaunch it in the lightest of winds so I am guessing it may be your technique.

Once your kite is at the edge of the wind window, make sure the bar is sheeted all the way out and the right way up i.e. lines crossed over going to the kite, pull in on one of the rear lines, grab the line just above the float and pull in an arms length and keep it there, do not pull in let go pull in let go, you just have to be patient and hold it there. The kite should now get a wing tip out of the water, once the kite is sitting vertical it will be almost ready to go and then it just timing on realising your rear line when it spins the right way and starts going up into the air.

I think the key is being patient, in lighter wind it may take a few minutes which will seem much longer when in the water.

As clogged says, and I would say try a little depower as well, do not let that back line go until the kite is 20 ft up in the air, or it may just turn and fall back in.
Yeeeharrr and up she goes

reverse launch it? full window? should work no?
when u have some wind, delta kites are very easy to relaunch, in light/very light winds, one of the worst , i ve dealt with...even bows are easier...

Thanks for the tips, sounds like the biggest problem was the light wind. I'll try some of these tricks on my next go around.

Just spent two days demo'ing a 12m Lithium and was really impressed, but I think I may have experienced what you were talking about with relaunching it in really light winds. Today it was only 10 knots and I was able to ride and do tricks with a 136 cm twin tip which I was really impressed with. Anyhow, I did an unhooked front roll and dropped the kite. Unlike the day before in 16 knot winds, it didn't relaunch right away but stayed stuck sort of half way onto its side (ie not quite leading edge perpendicular to the water). I played with it for a minute and it didn't relaunch, so I tried taking a couple of steps towards the kite and it relaunched perfectly.

I would suggest that the next time you are having trouble relaunching it in light winds do two things:

1. Pull on the outer steering line and get some tension on the kite, allow it to move as close to the relaunch position as you can get it.

2. Either take two steps towards the kite if you can stand, otherwise take a couple of quick strokes. You should find that it immediately finds the relaunch position and then you can pull the outer steering line again for a relaunch. I really think this will solve your problem. Good luck!

K