self landing with stake

[Bill]

when self landing by tying chicken loop to a post, is it best for the kite to be powered up or depowered?

[JGTR]

I usually depower mine about half way (Naish Torch) but it depends on the kite. Aslong as it sits there on its wingtip without moving I usually lower it gently and sit it there before attaching it to the post/stake/fence. With the bar all the way out the kite will be depowered anyway

[Westozzy]

I find if you are too underpowered it will shoot forward and back while waiting for you on its wing tip. You'll find the right depower.

[plummet]

super powered. trim it!

middle of wind range. full power.

[Peter_Frank]

I find if you are too underpowered it will shoot forward and back while waiting for you on its wing tip. You'll find the right depower.

Exactly - and if really low wind (and/or big kites), it typically wont work always if depowered, as it will drop forward on the nose (LE) too easy, so power it up here.

Or if the beach/ground is not level but pointing a lot down towards the water - then it will also fall nose down if not powered a bit or a lot.
Using a stopper might be necessary then - but always a tricky'er launch when not level.

Otherwise when windy'er, I always let it on half depower or full depower, but that is also because the bar is set this way coming in from the last session (I think everyone or most of us depower the kite fully when walking ashore and on land), so no time lost and no sand to ruin your cleat or anything (as you rinse your trim/bar in the water when you go out - thus REALLY bad to adjust the trim before that as it might ruin it fast...).

For most SLE kites it does not matter how much it is powered, but for some of the less stable ones on the ground, it will influence - but can be both ways it works best - and also dependant on wind.

The reason for trimming full depower when normal wind, is :

If a (upper) rear line catches "anything" on the ground/beach (a little bush or round some grass/straws etc) if you have your lines through "things", and a bit sloppy maybe - it will still not fly up because the rear lines are so slack.

Otherwise, just put it on "half" trim depower if in doubt, which is a good compromise between everything, and you can still steer the kite up - some kites can be difficult to steer if full depower trim


Of course it also depends on your specific setup - some has their initial trim so the kite is not more than full powered when pulled - others set it up so it can be easily backstalled...
And the bar depower "length" (how much it can move forward from the CL) is extremely different on different kites


Typically, the kite IS depowered no matter how you put your trim, as the bar is "full out" always, with a tethered launch - so it actually most often does not matter how you set your depower trim, thus set it halfway or how you left it when out the last time


Sorry - I just discovered now, you were not talking about tethered starting/launching at all, but only "self landing".
Then just full depower trim always - even if it goes LE down, you have landed (and you can give it a tuck on the upper line to sit perfect so you dont have to walk out to the kite)

Peter

[SupaEZ]

Keep it simple..no need for stake...just use yourself to self land anytime anywhere

Zero mi"stakes" as you perfect that crucial skill

Basic skill to master...choose the basic ways of the ANALOG MAN

Enjoy this most awesome performance and lyrics from Joe Walsh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il1Byvn_vMA

[Peter_Frank]

I believe you are not used to self landing on rocky/tough coastlines with 4 to 5m2 kites that often then ?

One can learn to master all options, but especially the tethered which is the best and most safe for you and the kite in most situations, and has to be learned IMO

Peter

[JGTR]

I find if you are too underpowered it will shoot forward and back while waiting for you on its wing tip. You'll find the right depower.

Exactly - and if really low wind (and/or big kites), it typically wont work always if depowered, as it will drop forward on the nose (LE) too easy, so power it up here.

Or if the beach/ground is not level but pointing a lot down towards the water - then it will also fall nose down if not powered a bit or a lot.
Using a stopper might be necessary then - but always a tricky'er launch when not level.

Otherwise when windy'er, I always let it on half depower or full depower, but that is also because the bar is set this way coming in from the last session (I think everyone or most of us depower the kite fully when walking ashore and on land), so no time lost and no sand to ruin your cleat or anything (as you rinse your trim/bar in the water when you go out - thus REALLY bad to adjust the trim before that as it might ruin it fast...).

For most SLE kites it does not matter how much it is powered, but for some of the less stable ones on the ground, it will influence - but can be both ways it works best - and also dependant on wind.

The reason for trimming full depower when normal wind, is :

If a (upper) rear line catches "anything" on the ground/beach (a little bush or round some grass/straws etc) if you have your lines through "things", and a bit sloppy maybe - it will still not fly up because the rear lines are so slack.

Otherwise, just put it on "half" trim depower if in doubt, which is a good compromise between everything, and you can still steer the kite up - some kites can be difficult to steer if full depower trim


Of course it also depends on your specific setup - some has their initial trim so the kite is not more than full powered when pulled - others set it up so it can be easily backstalled...
And the bar depower "length" (how much it can move forward from the CL) is extremely different on different kites


Typically, the kite IS depowered no matter how you put your trim, as the bar is "full out" always, with a tethered launch - so it actually most often does not matter how you set your depower trim, thus set it halfway or how you left it when out the last time


Sorry - I just discovered now, you were not talking about tethered starting/launching at all, but only "self landing".
Then just full depower trim always - even if it goes LE down, you have landed (and you can give it a tuck on the upper line to sit perfect so you dont have to walk out to the kite)

Peter

So basically what this guy said

super powered. trim it!

middle of wind range. full power.

[SupaEZ]

I believe you are not used to self landing on rocky/tough coastlines with 4 to 5m2 kites that often then ?

One can learn to master all options, but especially the tethered which is the best and most safe for you and the kite in most situations, and has to be learned IMO

Peter

Yes master Frank

I have used and mastered "all options" as you said over all my years out there (just like you did)

But you are correct...here we dont have any rocks...just nice sand....and SupaEZ coastline

But with the type kite i use (Rebel) i can self land SupaEZ on wingtip and the kite wont even budge

I am in a way the stake...as i walk up the middle centerline up to the "Y" and yank on top line & 5th

Precise landings are my specialty...on a dime..with a 6M Reb in 35knots++...no sweat to LE down

Done very quickly also without unhooking and detaching myself from leash or kite

Doing landings faster than staking it is what i prefer...so to each his own

The only things i like on the rocks....are drinks....and they are on me

[frankm1960]

I am in a way the stake...as i walk up the middle centerline up to the "Y" and yank on top line & 5th

Why don't you post a video of that sometime for us... 20kt day would be good enough.
I have a 5line kite too and would like to develop another technique to what I'm currently using.
I don't have a Y in my front lines... both my front lines connect to my swivel above the bar so maybe your technique won't work for me but I'd be interested in seeing it anyway. When ya get a chance