I have spent the last month or so trying to become familar with the Montana2 7meter. I have lots of hours with a 3meter beamer and feel very comfortable flying it in all sorts of conditions. That said, I just can't seem to get it when it comes to the Montana. Is it too much kite to learn on? Should I have bought a more entry level kite? Is this kite more difficult to master? I have tried it out in winds from 6 - 15Mph. Everytime I get it to Zenith it wants to over fly and then drops out of the sky:shocked2: Any help and or insight you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Keith

Wow Sounds like me when I first got that same exact kite couple years ago. (Still got it)..........ok first check these things..... on the center lines, (Middle Lines) there are 3 knots. make sure its on the center knot (2nd) . That is the Neutral knot and most used. Next the trim strap. Pull it in half way. Launch from a 45 degree angle to the wind.. Dont hot launch it (Directly downwind) . It will only get aggravating, cause it will launch so fast and you will slide right underneath it and hence fall out of the sky. Once in the sky I adjust the trim strap to where it kinda feels when the bar is in center of throw a little bouncy. or it too much wind keep letting out trim till i feel safe and not feel too much tugging when kite at zenith . This kite can be very twitchy due to its size so be careful in high winds. it can be lifty.
I weigh 145 lbs and it was a fun kite for 12mph-20mph. But i found the Montana 3 9.5m to be just the perfect size with alot better improvements in stability, in the same winds with more power.

Takes a little practice to master a depower in the first few sessions but once you get it. its amazing compared to FB.


some might have better advice on depowers. but this is what worked for me in learning on the same kite :bigok:


GOOD LUCK!!!!

I have a similar problem with my best nemesis. What conditions are you flying in? Gusty conditions will cause kites to overfly, just try to keep it moving left and right and don't let it sit at the zenith.

Should be no problem going from a Beamer in all conditions to a M2 7m in the conditions you describe. Going from a 3m Beamer to a 7m M2 will be intimidating though, but that keeps you safe.

Tell us what kind of harness you have and how you have the kite trimmed. 6 - 15 mph is a wide wind range. If a de-power kite is overshooting the window then you need more rear line pressure (pull in the bar) or you may have the center trim strap tuned wrong. In light winds (6 is really pushing the low end) you want the trim strap pulled in to lower lower the angle of attack (AoA) and keep the kite flying at all. In higher winds You can start with the trim strap farther out, like half way.

Remember that unlike the Beamer, you have control over the AoA with the M2 so there are more dynamics involved and you will need to manage where it flies in the window. What is your discipline? Buggy, ATB/ KGB or snow? When you get a de-power into kite forward motion it will behave a lot more predictably.

DG

Thanks for the reply. I will ensure the settings you identified are adjusted accordingly. I was hoping you would reply, as I noticed you had the same kite. I will keep trying and see if I can get the hang of it.

Thanks again !!

Keith

Ya let us know how you do. And like angus said . Kite works best in motion. Snowboard, atb etc

Angus,

I am attempting to snowkite. I have a ozone harness (kinda like a climbing harness) very comfortable. Today I was out on the lake (frozen with 14" snow). I had the center lines set in the middle knots with the trim strap all the way out. The winds were around 9Mph with gusts to 12. I think one of the issues is a consistent blow. As soon as I would get the kite in the air there would be a lull in the wind and I would make an attempt to sine it sometimes effective but most of the time not. I definately feel it can be a bit twitchy. Any thoughts?

Thanks again

Keith

sineing a depower seems different to me than a fixed bridle kite like your beamer. Too much tension on the brakes will stall the kite. I found you have to move the bar out to turn and pull in for strokes of power. I am way better at sineing with my fb kites but times that I have got it to work with depower are very rewarding. Not sure I have it right myself but maybe someone will offer more advice.

He is having a problem overflying the window and sounds like gusting winds so he needs to choke the kite at certian points. The trick is to launch the kite in a puff and get yourself moving. Then the kite will behave more consistently.

Guys,

Thanks for all of the input! I was also wondering if I bought a more entry level depower....would I have an easier time of it? if so what particulars would you recommend....?

Thanks again

Keith

No, the M2 is a fine first de-power. A bit more complicated than the Apex but not much harder to fly. You will get used to it and will appreciate the better upwind performance when the time comes.

Sounds like a gusty wind issue. Where are you physically located at? How clean are your winds? The funny thing about flying depower is that static flying is not fun. However, once you get moving, you will really see what its all about. As mentioned above, if the kite is headed for zenith, and you think its going to overfly, pull in on the bar and send it to one side or the other. DONT dive it, or you will be in for a nasty surprise, just keep it at around 10 - 2 going back and forth. Once your board/skis is situated, then dive it...

Thanks guys for the insight. I will keep trying with the M2 and pay my dues.

Ragden, I did expereience a couple of those "nasty surprises" and at my age (48) I would very much like to keep it a little smoother. I am located in southern Minnesota so the winds here are not the best with respect to gusting however we do get mid teens quite often. I suspect it is a combination of pilot error, gusty winds, and trim strap mis adjustments (likely in that order).... I will follow up in the future when I start to get the hang of this....and Please no jokes about time is runnin out :bouncy:

Thanks again for the help

Keith

Sounds like you are in nice deep snow country.
Time isnt running out, you got plenty left.

Are you on skiis or a snowboard?

Quote:

No, the M2 is a fine first de-power. A bit more complicated than the Apex but not much harder to fly.

Can't say I agree with the statement above. I flew both the M2 5m and Apex I 7m and had a different experience.

I had an absolutely horrible time with the M2...even in smooth coastal winds I found it to be extremely unstable with frequent tip collapses and closures. Flew it in 20+ gusty inland conditions and put it down after about 2mins. One of my most frustrating flights ever.

The Apex on the other end was very stable and forgiving. I was disappointed by the lack of depower however.

In my opinion, go for a Flysurfer Pulse or Peter Lynn Arc for your first depower. The stability is amazing and the amount of depower you have at your disposal is leaps and bounds above what you'll get from the M2 or Apex.

To be fair, my experience with the M2 was with a 7m in much lighter coastal winds. Besides a little more tip tuck than later iterations of the Montana, I found it to be an easy kite and good buggy engine. (FWIW, later Montanas are very stable and easy with near no tip tuck).

Sure the Apex is easier, but if you can power through the learning curve, I think the M2 will be leaps ahead in performance.

Then again you can't beat the auto zenith you get from a Peter Lynn Arc.