Peter Lynn Waterfoil 3.6M

These are water relaunchable foils, with sealed valves which stop water and anything else getting in.

All sizes are nearly semicircular in shape, made from fairly thin ripstop, with a full crossover bridle. I have only flown them on a bar with a three line set up, two power lines to the fron and a single killer on the brakes. A large bar is used and the break line is kept fairly slack.

Inflating.
The kites all need manual (pump) inflation, until they are virtually full they fly like a carrier bag, and are comp[letely rubbish. I bought mine second hand a very cheaplybecause people said they were awful and would fly. Once inflated though, the change in character. They have a thick profile need a huge volume of air for their size.

Flying.
Once up and flying they are normally well behaved kites, very stable with a constant pull throughout the window. Very lifty and strong pulling for the size. The 3.6 is slightly stronger than my 4m Blade II. Flight is very straight with the bar flat and responds to input very easily. A big bar is needed as these are quite big kites, a crossover might help but has not been tried.

Landing.
Pulling the brake line causes the kite to reverse and land very very neatly on its trailing edge and ready for action. Relaunching from this position is very simple with the kite taking off. Speed can be controlled with the brakes limitting pull until ready. If unside down the breaks will reverse the kite easily for relaunch both on and off water. If the kite lands leading edge first it very quickly rolls over and relaunches which can catch unawares, but the brakes will keep that under controlled.

Downside.
Gusts this is normally no problem as the kite rides gust well, but if the kite luffs it has a tendency to fold drop unpowered into the middle of the widow and power up violently. As long as tension is kept on the lines this shouldn't happen.

Upside.
Body dragging throught the surf with these is brilliant fun, you can dump them in the water and they relaunch 100% of the time. They are good for beginning to mountain board, slow stable and strong pulling.

Leaving alone.
These need staking down with a good pull on the brakes, They then sit quite happily fully inflated for ages. A short fly for top up the air and bang they are off again

All in all a bit quirky, but a good kite. My youngest daughter flies the smallest and apart from the inflation time prefers it to here 2.1 little devil.

By : Tele Player