Been riding Naish kites for years and onto a Rev2 now-rode it for the first time yesterday in about 15-17 knots and less than happy with the performance-had my Naish rigged on the beach so was able to go in and out swapping to compare-the Naish felt waaaay more powered than the Rev2.

Looking for some input from Rev2 owners.

Basically the Rev2 feels way underpowered.

I have it set up as follws:

*front lines at the kite are on the last knot (away from kite).

*back lines are on the first knot (closest to the kite).

*depower is ALL the way out-so the black 'knob' is all the way on the cleat.

*rear lines attached at the centre pigtails (that is medium bar pressure).

Set up like this the kite feels-even with the bar sheeted ALL the way in-that the rear lines are too slack and there is more power to get out of the kite.

I prefer a set up where the kite is at full power when the bar is about 2/3 of the way down the depower line so it's over sheeted with the bar pulled all the way to the chicken loop-but it seems just NOT possible to achieve that with the kite set up for max power as I have it now.

Looks to me like I'll have to mod the rear lines by taking a few inches out...

Looking for any input/suggestions, other rider's experience....?

Thanks.

Mate I ride a rev 2 and it sounds to me like you have it oversheeted, when set up like that it feels like a dog with not much power and backstalling all the time when riding a wave. Please note that I like to ride waves unhooked so that the kite is not on a full power setting when unhooked
Try this:
*front lines at the kite are on the last knot (away from kite).
Do the opposite, have the front lines connected on the first knot closest to the kite. ie shorter front lines
*back lines are on the first knot (closest to the kite).
Again do the opposite, have the back lines on the last knot. ie longer back lines
*depower is ALL the way out-so the black 'knob' is all the way on the cleat.
Do this in light winds but I like to have it maybe pulled on an inch or so.
*rear lines attached at the centre pigtails (that is medium bar pressure).
Try attaching them on the back pigtails, ie closer to the wing tips, this will make the kite turn faster and feel more responsive but this depends on your style of riding.
You can also try attaching the front and rear lines on the middle knots but having more de-power on, just try not to have the kite oversheeted.

I ride an 11m REV1, with twin tip and weigh 85kg. 15 to 17 knots is close to my bottom end on the 11 - it's probably 13 to 15 knots so it sounds like you probably have the kite too near the bottom end. The REV's rely a lot on apparent wind at their bottom end to generate power.

I ride an 11m REV1, with twin tip and weigh 85kg. 15 to 17 knots is close to my bottom end on the 11 - it's probably 13 to 15 knots so it sounds like you probably have the kite too near the bottom end. The REV's rely a lot on apparent wind at their bottom end to generate power.

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marty72 said...

Mate I ride a rev 2 and it sounds to me like you have it oversheeted, when set up like that it feels like a dog with not much power and backstalling all the time when riding a wave. Please note that I like to ride waves unhooked so that the kite is not on a full power setting when unhooked
Try this:
*front lines at the kite are on the last knot (away from kite).
Do the opposite, have the front lines connected on the first knot closest to the kite. ie shorter front lines
*back lines are on the first knot (closest to the kite).
Again do the opposite, have the back lines on the last knot. ie longer back lines
*depower is ALL the way out-so the black 'knob' is all the way on the cleat.
Do this in light winds but I like to have it maybe pulled on an inch or so.
*rear lines attached at the centre pigtails (that is medium bar pressure).
Try attaching them on the back pigtails, ie closer to the wing tips, this will make the kite turn faster and feel more responsive but this depends on your style of riding.
You can also try attaching the front and rear lines on the middle knots but having more de-power on, just try not to have the kite oversheeted.

Marty-DEFINITELY not over sheeted-the back lines were still slack. And not at all back stalling-I really liked the kite sheeted off on the waves-hung really well in cross onshore riding at the kite-dropped it once and it re-launches effortlessly BUT it felt super underpowered-if I could get it to oversheet, I would have been stoked-because then I would have had it at max power-it just felt like there was heaps more 'in the tank' but the max power setting was not getting it out.

I usually ride with a kite so that it over sheets when the bar is at the chicken loop. Your suggested set-up is for when unhooked (or the way I set it)-I was riding hooked.

Thanks heaps.

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sunseeker said...

I ride an 11m REV1, with twin tip and weigh 85kg. 15 to 17 knots is close to my bottom end on the 11 - it's probably 13 to 15 knots so it sounds like you probably have the kite too near the bottom end. The REV's rely a lot on apparent wind at their bottom end to generate power.

SS-I don't own a bigger kite than a 9M (oh except for an 18m Rhino2, 14M X3, 10M X3 and 13M Yarga-tent anyone?).

I ride my Naish 9 down to about 12-13 knots-only surfboard unstrapped-76kg.

9M is more than enough-so not really the kite size.

It's gotta' be the settings-or maybe it's just not the kite for me-shame as it was great on the waves.

OK cool, with a surfboard and your weight it should be good. Hard to tell without giving it a fly and comparing it to what I know. I always use middle knot on both pigtails and pull in the depower rope about 2-3cm as a minimum otherwise the kite oversheets a bit.

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sunseeker said...

OK cool, with a surfboard and your weight it should be good. Hard to tell without giving it a fly and comparing it to what I know. I always use middle knot on both pigtails and pull in the depower rope about 2-3cm as a minimum otherwise the kite oversheets a bit.

Thanks SS-that really sounds like something is NOT right with my lines/set-up-there's NO WAY I can get it to over sheet.

Just try setting it up that way and see how it goes.

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marty72 said...

Just try setting it up that way and see how it goes.

That's how it was initially set up-waaaay too slack back lines-which is why I came in and set it up as outlined above-still way underpowered-but marginally better-I appreciate the input-but I'd be more inclined to add 4 inches or so of pigtails to the FRONT lines to increase the angle of attack and allow me to get to an over sheeted set-up-at least then I'd know I had max power out of the kite and I could trim it to suit a hooked set up.

Again, thanks.

I was initially disappointed with the power in my Rev2. I now have it set per your original post. The only difference if I have no depower pulled in it just starts to fall back in the sky when I fully sheet in. I have now trimmed it with 3 (ish) inches of depower line pulled in and fly with the bar a few inches out. I can’t believe the difference this made. I have gone from boosting a pathetic 3 feet too a decent height (wont say how high as Pawn Star will feel obliged to comment). In one day I have gone from being disappointed with the power of this kite to Happy, Happy, Happy (lucky as I have three). Never read a bad think about this kite so figured, I must be doing something wrong. PS I don’t/ can’t ride waves just into old school big jumps, attempted board offs, and Loops and Loops and Loops….

PS cant really understand why the above settings worked, as I would of thought given the amount of trim pulled and the position of the bar it would be similar to flying on equal knots, but for some reason it has greatly increased the power..

Hey Locos -
I run the wave riding camps with Ben Wilson -
It sounds like you are doing what most people we see in our clinics - that is the kite is set up with too much over sheeting -

here is what Ben recommends to set up a rev 2

Front lines and back lines set up on the last knots -
then pull on 10 -14cm of Depower -

This will then have the kite at optimal power when the bar is pulled down onto the chicken loop and hence when you unhook the kite is in optimal flying position and wont stall or fly backwards

You will also find that you wont have to touch your depower during a session unluss the wind realy picks up -

initally you will feel that the kite is underowered but this is just a matter of getting used to it - and is the only way to th have your kite set if you want to unhook

Hope that helps -
Bruce
benwilsonsurf.com - there are more tips on the articles here or on the coaching page of the website

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brucex said...

Hey Locos -
I run the wave riding camps with Ben Wilson -
It sounds like you are doing what most people we see in our clinics - that is the kite is set up with too much over sheeting -

here is what Ben recommends to set up a rev 2

Front lines and back lines set up on the last knots -
then pull on 10 -14cm of Depower -

This will then have the kite at optimal power when the bar is pulled down onto the chicken loop and hence when you unhook the kite is in optimal flying position and wont stall or fly backwards

You will also find that you wont have to touch your depower during a session unluss the wind realy picks up -

initally you will feel that the kite is underowered but this is just a matter of getting used to it - and is the only way to th have your kite set if you want to unhook

Hope that helps -
Bruce
benwilsonsurf.com - there are more tips on the articles here or on the coaching page of the website

Bruce, thanks for the input. I'm talking about setting it for hooked riding.

Actually know Ben-wrote to him on this-he's always so busy and understandably kinda' slow to respond.

Been riding for 7 years-so kinda' know what I'm talking about with the set up and all.

And it is DEFINITELY NOT oversheeted-exactly the opposite-it feels like there's another 4-6 inches I could sheet the bar in BEFORE it was oversheeted and at max power-the back lines are still slackish with the above set-up and the bar sheeted all the way in.

There is NO WAY I could have 10-14cm of de-power, the back lines would just be too slack-I'm thinking that I'll add some pig tails to the front and try to set it up over sheeted and then work backwards from there.

It may just be that the REV2 has WAAAAY less bottom end than my Naish kite-teh Naish certainly felt heaps more grunty when I was swapping between the two. Also noticed that the Naish went up wind way better with more power-again, set up so that max power is with the bar (hooked) at about 2/3 of the way down the centre line-so oversheeted at the chicken loop.

The REV was very nice on the waves-just seemed to lack power.

Again, thanks.

I ride waves hooked in on a 9m REV II. For normal conditions here (18-22knts) I attach ALL lines on the middle knots of the pigtails and have about 4-8cms depower at the bar and everything is sweet.

Have you checked the line lengths? Could the back lines be streched?

A few people have tried my REV and nearly always they choke the kite by over sheeting due to the low bar pressure. If you are coming off a "C" then you will certainly be a victim to this!

I know absolutely nothing about REV's but was thinking that the Bridle system could a bit cocked up.

I was played with my bridle and swapped two lines about, in effect moving the tow point way forward and reducing the length of the front lines.

Could be worthwhile to check the bridle out for an assembly mistake.

Cheers
Rich

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airhead said...

I ride waves hooked in on a 9m REV II. For normal conditions here (18-22knts) I attach ALL lines on the middle knots of the pigtails and have about 4-8cms depower at the bar and everything is sweet.

Have you checked the line lengths? Could the back lines be streched?

A few people have tried my REV and nearly always they choke the kite by over sheeting due to the low bar pressure. If you are coming off a "C" then you will certainly be a victim to this!

Straight out of the bag-so lines should be fine-I will check length.

From the feedback here it sounds like I should be able to have at least a few cms of depower and be powered (with the kite backstalling if fully sheeted)-there's wind here over the next few days so I'll get a chance to play around.

What about SELF LAUNCH of thr Rev2?

I have an 11m Rev2

With all my previous bows - SB4, SB3, SB2, XB3, Waroo07, Waroo08 - it is a doddle to do the bow-launch on the sand - and becasue you can sheet out excessively on those kites you don't get thrown in the air even in HIGH winds, eg, >30kt on the 12m SB3

But with Rev2 you don;t have this sheet-out-ability - I self-launched yest in ~20kt and I coudl control it OK but with lack of depower feels like I would be constrained in higher winds - - any thoughts please??

Especially from Bruce or Ben

id probally say too that it is a line length issue. i love the 9m. out of all the rev2's the 9m is the sweetest kite. actually it is the best kite i have ever owned. i found that the rev's actually fly better with a bit of depower( for unhooked riding) but if it is fully powered up and your back lines are that slack then i'd be checking your lines. i have only heard good things from rev owners and same of riders that have demoed them, contact slingshot oz , im sure they will be more than happy to help you.

Sounds like to much friggin effort to me!!!1
Why can't ya just buy the damn kite...rig it up and fly the damn thing


Oh I forgot......It is a SS kite you're talking about!


That's why I fly anything BUT SS!!!!

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stabber said...

Sounds like to much friggin effort to me!!!1
Why can't ya just buy the damn kite...rig it up and fly the damn thing


Oh I forgot......It is a SS kite you're talking about!


That's why I fly anything BUT SS!!!!

ss ROCK

Stabber,stabber,stabber..........you are a little lost voice in a wilderness !

So things didn't go YOUR way at a kite shop.

Let it go....it's eating you up man !!

I also think the 9 Rev 2 is the best kite Ive ever used. However, id only start using mine in 18-20 knots upward. I weigh 95 kg. Hope this is of some help! The wind ranges are available on slingshotkiteboarding.com.au

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loco4olas said...
[I'd be more inclined to add 4 inches or so of pigtails to the FRONT lines to increase the angle of attack and allow me to get to an over sheeted set-up-at least then I'd know

Exactly.

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stabber said...

Sounds like to much friggin effort to me!!!1
Why can't ya just buy the damn kite...rig it up and fly the damn thing


Oh I forgot......It is a SS kite you're talking about!


That's why I fly anything BUT SS!!!!

I tried 3 different set ups straight out of the box and none worked-hence the post here to try and get some feedback from REV owners.

The kite floated great downwind, turned nice and fast, re-launched great-just felt like the back lines were too slack-again, even on the most powered setting-when you'd think it would over sheet-back on the Naish today for some fun in some sizeable waves and light wind-just don't trust the REV without getting the setup right and just too much effort in a small wind window (about a 45min kite today) when I just want to ride some waves.

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LouD said...



I also think the 9 Rev 2 is the best kite Ive ever used. However, id only start using mine in 18-20 knots upward. I weigh 95 kg. Hope this is of some help! The wind ranges are available on slingshotkiteboarding.com.au

I'm 75kg on a surfboard and my biggest kite is a 9M-usually start in about 12-14 knots OK. Expected the same out of the REV2-and want to get it right-because, except for the lack of power, it felt like a great wave kite.

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Ryland said...


id probally say too that it is a line length issue. i love the 9m. out of all the rev2's the 9m is the sweetest kite. actually it is the best kite i have ever owned. i found that the rev's actually fly better with a bit of depower( for unhooked riding) but if it is fully powered up and your back lines are that slack then i'd be checking your lines. i have only heard good things from rev owners and same of riders that have demoed them.

I've heard the same-hence picked up the kite without even bothering to ride one.

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waitingforthewind said...


What about SELF LAUNCH of thr Rev2?

I have an 11m Rev2

With all my previous bows - SB4, SB3, SB2, XB3, Waroo07, Waroo08 - it is a doddle to do the bow-launch on the sand - and becasue you can sheet out excessively on those kites you don't get thrown in the air even in HIGH winds, eg, >30kt on the 12m SB3

But with Rev2 you don;t have this sheet-out-ability - I self-launched yest in ~20kt and I coudl control it OK but with lack of depower feels like I would be constrained in higher winds - - any thoughts please??

I launched a few times yesterday-switching kites a few times-and found the relaunch fine and no issue-no different to any other BOW.

Thanks all for the input.

What about SELF LAUNCH of thr Rev2?

I have an 11m Rev2

With all my previous bows - SB4, SB3, SB2, XB3, Waroo07, Waroo08 - it is a doddle to do the bow-launch on the sand - and becasue you can sheet out excessively on those kites you don't get thrown in the air even in HIGH winds, eg, >30kt on the 12m SB3

But with Rev2 you don;t have this sheet-out-ability - I self-launched yest in ~20kt and I coudl control it OK but with lack of depower feels like I would be constrained in higher winds - - any thoughts please??

Especially from Bruce or Ben

Slel launch is not an issue - just do it the same as you have been just back sure the moverable black stopper is all the way out - also in high wind pull on the wing tip early and get it to take off before it slides too far down wind - always make sure your bar is fully sheeted out
It is a really easy kite launch - hope that helps Bruce x

I did a 'line check' today and at max power with the bar fully sheeted the rear lines are about 2-3 inches (6-8cms) LONGER than than the front lines-not sure what the deal is-seems to me like a line error out of the factory.

I'm going to go with the added pig tails on the front lines idea to get the lines sorted so that the front lines are slightly LONGER than the rear so I can then adjust via kite pigtails and the depower line.

The longer back lines make a lot of sense with the issues I've been having.

I'll report back-hopefully about how stoked I am on the REV2.

Yesterday I took note of how my rev2 9m flies, I had it set as stated earlier for unhooked riding, but you can set it on the same knots. So when the kite is at 12 with the bar fully sheeted in(max power) and de-power fully out(no de-power) the back lines were just slightly curved or loose. I think the kite flies better and is more efficient set this way as it doesn't stall as it would if the back lines were fully tight. I even pulled an inch or 2 of de-power later on as not to get yanked when unhooking. Try this out and see how you go

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marty72 said...

Yesterday I took note of how my rev2 9m flies, I had it set as stated earlier for unhooked riding, but you can set it on the same knots. So when the kite is at 12 with the bar fully sheeted in(max power) and de-power fully out(no de-power) the back lines were just slightly curved or loose. I think the kite flies better and is more efficient set this way as it doesn't stall as it would if the back lines were fully tight. I even pulled an inch or 2 of de-power later on as not to get yanked when unhooking. Try this out and see how you go

Yeah-I'll persevere-too many people like the kite-sob sob, maybe it's just me?????

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I will try installing some pig tails and then the front lines may stretch from use and then I'll ditch the pigtails-will try today (hoping the wind is in) and let you know how it goes.

Went out today in some shoulder high waves, cross onshore about 16-20 knots which picked up as I was out there.

Added 14cm of pigtails to the front lines and it's a completely different kite-powered with the bar about 1/2 to 2/3 of the way down the depower line, about 5cm or so of depower applied, lines on middle knots on front and back lines-oversheeting with the bar fully sheeted-just how I like it.

Kite was VERY VERY smooth through the air with great hang, light to moderate bar pressure and nice and responsive and VERY VERY predictable-surfing down the line it sits where you put it waiting for you to turn it or power up.

What a difference 5 extra inches makes-length matters! Despite what I whisper to my wife........

Thanks for all for help and suggestions.

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brucex said...

Hey Locos -
I run the wave riding camps with Ben Wilson -
It sounds like you are doing what most people we see in our clinics - that is the kite is set up with too much over sheeting -

here is what Ben recommends to set up a rev 2

Front lines and back lines set up on the last knots -
then pull on 10 -14cm of Depower -

This will then have the kite at optimal power when the bar is pulled down onto the chicken loop and hence when you unhook the kite is in optimal flying position and wont stall or fly backwards

You will also find that you wont have to touch your depower during a session unluss the wind realy picks up -

initally you will feel that the kite is underowered but this is just a matter of getting used to it - and is the only way to th have your kite set if you want to unhook

Hope that helps -
Bruce
benwilsonsurf.com - there are more tips on the articles here or on the coaching page of the website

JUST checking Bruce - when you say "last" know - you mean the knot furthest from the kite?