Hi all, time for another update !
Yesterday we had 10kts with gusts to 17kts or so. As a reminder, I kite at a small lake with crazy winds. REALLY want to figure out how to fly my A15 12m so set it up and launched. If anything, just getting time on it at this location is good....the field I use to testing has far smoother wind and flying the kite there is pretty easy.
In any event, I had problems and am hoping by describing them the foil experts here can assist me ! Immediately after launching it straight downwind (no other option...no room) I tried to hold it at around 40degrees to my left so I could grab my hydrofoil board and get onto the water. But the kite kept shooting way forward and then folding itself up. Recovered it a couple times through dumb luck but then it folded up and twisted and fell through the bridle and was done...wouldn't fix itself or fly. The bridles where totally tangled (holy freaking COWS what a mess ! I know I know...part of foil kites but as an LEI guy this is crazy!) and I still wanted to try and learn the hydrofoil board so packed up the Pansh and got out my trusty 9m Switch Element. I did manage two or three "get up and go" attempts with the Element and hydrofoil board but it is very challenging to me to fly the kite one-handed in those winds. Practice makes perfect and I'll keep trying. And now I know why folk love their carbon hydrofoils.....carrying mine back from way downwind it became very very heavy. ha ha ha.
So am I not sheeting in enough on the Pansh? and that is why it goes crazy at the edge of the window? Flying it at 12 o'clock appears to be what foils like from reading posts on this site; is that the solution? Keep in mind the winds are GUSTY and scary....and I prefer to not get lofted into the street or powerlines so flying it at 12 o'clock at this spot is not preferred (if that is the solution).
I have my bar set like a normal LEI bar would be...Trim fully powered and bar pulled to chicken loop the lines are even at the kite. Is that right for this kite?
One last question...trying to figure out how to attach to the ELC (easy line connectors)...I am doing it wrong but have not found a picture or post yet that explains how it is done. How is this supposed to be done?
Really appreciate all the help on this journey. Not many other kiters around to help me out, and zero foil folk. There was another kiter at the lake and we spoke for a bit...he was on an Epic Infinity and totally overpowered during the gusts. At least his kite was flying most of the time.....my little 9m spent a lot of time in the water trying to relaunch. Makes me wonder "hey, if I did go out with the Pansh how would it have handled the gusts?".
Oh yeah..I do have a 'review' for those interested in Pansh A15 (sort of). I bought a set of their 15 meter lines for this kite and the custom bar I am messing with. Well.....not so sure about the lines. Especially the steering lines. They tangle SUPER easy. It is ridiculous...some sort of auto-tangle technology. The lines are not nearly as "stiff" as my other lines and just makes a mess if not always under tension. My local conditions are pretty bad (debris all over launch area, gusty winds, lack of experience, etc.) so maybe this is a non-event for other folk. But thought I'd mention it. I've swapped the steering lines with some old Best lines and will swap out the mains once I make up some lines for them.
F-Bear