alright, ive searched for this topic and cannot find it anywhere.

my 2014 10m Naish Park seems to not be the kite it once was. it has changed..... it feels like there is excessive bar pressure, the turning isnt as responsive, and overall just feels sluggish. yes, i have used it extensively over the last 3 yrs.

is this because of "wear and tear"?? possible stretching of bridle? i cant put my finger on it... it definitely doesn't feel like the nimble kite it once was. and today, out in a feeble 20kts, it felt way overpowered... way too much bar pressure....just frustrating....i couldn't fly it in the same way i have in previous seasons... im running the same bar and lines it came with.

what do you guys think? yes it is early in the season, and im not in full 100% physical kite condition yet, but i dont think this is the problem as i still train almost every day.

anyone had similar problems with kites 2-3 seasons in? or am i just piss weak and delusional?

Have you calibrated you bar/lines to Naish speck?
In the last 3 years ??

If its feeling powered up could it be that your front lines are stretched?

Age and/or use start by looking at your bar check the line lengths are equal, then the bridal dont forget look over the pullies, depending on the type they can corrode. If their all good then possibly the material has stretched over time ive noticed my Slingshot canopys have stretch a fair bit over time

Canopy stretch.... I have the same issues after 2 seasons.. have measured bridles and have been using new bars.
The kites are just no longer as efficient ,heavier on the bar and also seem to no longer repel water.
Im using switchblades but in their defence the above issues are after hundreds of hours as I use the same 8m kite for surfing and foiling so from 10 knots to 30

Yes you should first start to check your line tuning making sure all lines are of equal length. Lines will shrink over time as they are pre-stretched to the max in the factory. Bridle can also change lengths

If your kite has over 150+ days and been regularly left flapping on the beach in windy and sunny conditions there is a good chance your canopy is weak and stretched, which can explain the behavior you describe with your kite even with lines and bridles perfectly tuned.

Kites have a life span and even the most expensive kites and best build kites on the market won't perform as good as they used to after 150+ days of intense use.

Christian

good, this confirms i am not piss e
weak and delusional, my greatest fear.

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cbulota said..

Good kites have a life span and even the most expensive kites and best build kites on the market won't perform as good as they used to after 150+ days of intense use. of 7 to 10 years max!

Make sure its pumped up hard too, slighty floppy kites will feel a bit more powered too. but thats probablynot your problem, sounds like you need a new kite

With age we all become slower, less responsive, a bit soft, ugly looking, but we still work

a bad tradesman always blames his tools

I thought my 2012 ozone edge was a dog, then put it on a brand new slingshot bar and it was good as new.

I was feeling a bit over powered at times on my 6m today.



So I checked and there definitely wasn't anything wrong

i have the same issue, the older i get, the worse my kite handles

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mazdon said..
I was feeling a bit over powered at times on my 6m today.



So I checked and there definitely wasn't anything wrong

It dropped off a bit for the moonlight glide, seems a bit of a problem:)

Kite symmetry is worth checking also
fully inflate kite on level ground, garage floor is great flip over onto leading edge, either by the 5th line attachment point or kite pump loop( where you secure kite to pump) pull kite towards you approx 2 mtrs in an even manner, let kite sit on Le and look for misshaped Le