Hi everyone
I have a Naish X-1 SLE, 6m, is a 2007 model similar to the Boxer SLE (the bridle design is the same and the outline profile too) but lower AR and tamer. I’m 67 Kg , so this kite is my medium-high wind kite (from 20 to 35 knots). It could be rigged with 1:1 or 2:1 bar system, but I don’t like pulley at the bar so I’ve always used it with 1:1 setting. The kite is not bad, it’s very stable even in gusty wind and goes upwind very well. If you leave the bar the kite sits with low pull at the window side with a tip on the water ready to relaunch. It starts early, in 20 knts I’m well powered with a 130-39 TT. In flat water it likes to run, flying very fast, this is unexpected in a school targeted kite but I had my faster rides with this kite in 25 knots.
BUT there’s something that I would like to improve, expecially in the waves (with 25-30 knots usually there are good waves ):
- the bar in 1:1 mode is too soft, I could ride 1-handed but it’s difficult to “feel†the kite. A heavier bar would be better.
- when a gust arrives, it’s difficult to feel it in the bar and the kites flyes too much forward, giving a punch of pull. I would like the kite to “open†to the wind (if I depower). I have a Waroo 06 that is quite good in this.
- now it’s difficult to stall the kite. I would like to “brake†the kite surfing waves or during jumps to feel it more close (if I pull the bar).
I have already a quite long throw bar setting (35-40cm, almost 14-15 inches)
The kite seems to have a good profile, I was wondering if something in the kite behaviour could be improved (for my taste, probably in default settings kite is really ok for school or less experienced kite) making some modifications in the bridle. Naish instruction says to shorten (with pigtail connection) the AC bridle to rig the kite in 1:1 mode. this should make the bar heavier. I did this but didn’t feel so much difference (but distance between two knots is short, 4cm (1,5 inch).
Here linked there’s a photo with all bridle coded, so it’s easy to argue on it. In B there is a pulley.
So my thoughts are:
- could the kite fly well without the DBC bridle? With back and front separated , front lines directly in E and back lines directly connected with the tips (in A) the feeling should be more direct and the bar heavier. But I don’t knot if the lack of support in B could make problems.
- I could shorten AC bridle, in order to have the tip more connected with the back line
So, tell me what do you think and I’m curious if someone could have tried something on an X-1 or a Boxer SLE (that’s pretty similar). Any feedback would be appreciated!