Hey experienced Kitefoilers,
currently transition from front+rear strap to front strap only & works nicely. Since I have the feeling i am forced into a position (balancing; foot swap practice) I also want to get rid of the last strap.
My mast on my setup (fi'll armstrong: wkt122,tc60,72cm carbon mast) is floating vertically & practicing strapless start becomes challenging like that (hand required to keep the mast horizontal). I know that a longer mast (question is from which length on) will make my mast float horizontally.
Are there any downsides to that horizontal float "feature" which will enable me to practice strapless start easier? Will it become significantly easier to practice strapless start? Interested in your thoughts :)
cheers
Peter
Peter
I actively had to make my low wind large armie wings sink. hi displacement causes horizontal float.
Everywhere i foil there's small to large surface chop - the exception being at sea = waves. A horizontal setup can easily snake off up wind due to wind chop interacting and that's a game over situation. You can't get to your board without help. My solution is one front strap going straight across most often on foil both feet are away from strap. It's very useful to hold board when duck diving through surf when going out. I wedge front foot into strap for starts if required..
cheers
AP
I've ridden lots of brands, some foils floated and some sank like a stone. The middle ground is probably easiest/preferable.
Strapless is easy enough to pick up with a little practice. It's just timing and confidence, one hand keeps the board in position and then a little kite power builds tension and sticks your feet to the board. Then you can let go and start as the foil sinks into position.
I loop the kite to start 100% of the time, in normal stance (going left) I start with the kite at 10 o'clock, send it across the top clockwise which gets your feet glued to the board, then the down stroke builds kite speed, and then pulling the bar in on the up stroke converts speed to pull (stalling the kite a little) as the kite is climbing or near the top of the window completing the loop. This provides a strong lift up out of the water to get you up over the board. Can do a couple of big loops if underpowered or a high tight loop if overpowered.
