Snapshot 1.2 string length

[Kylepk]

I bought a snapshot 1.2 speed foil a few years ago and have only flown it a few times. I was wondering if it would be possible to shorten the strings on it a little bit and if so what’s the shortest I could go? Thanks for the help!

[makatakam]

Hi, Kylepk, and welcome to the forum.

Sure, if you are referring to the flying lines. How short is up to you, but keep in mind that the shorter you make them the smaller your wind window (the area that the kite can move around in) becomes and the speed of the kite increases. Be sure to keep the lines of equal length. I wouldn't go any shorter than 40 feet on a 1.2 foil but I have flown one on 25-foot lines but it's hard to keep the kite from making contact with the ground at that length which puts a lot of wear on the kite. A 1.2 foil is in its comfort zone on lines from 60 to 85 feet. 

[Wayne Dowler]

If learning, I would suggest that the lines be long - 60' - 80'. Reaction time for the flier increases with longer lines. Put the kite on short lines and everything happens at light speed! Are your flying skills up to that challenge?

PS: the kite doesn't go any faster on short lines, but covers the wind window in no time. Therefore giving the appearance of going faster!