Should front lines be same length as back lines?

[rider1200]

My lines are old & tattered and last night I found a freyed pigtail. I bought new lines in the Fall so I figured time to put them on, most people wait a year, right?

When I laid them out it appeared the new back lines are about 2 inches longer than the new front lines, however on my old set the old back lines appear to be about a foot longer than the old front lines. I watched the video on tuning but don't want to attach the new lines if I know they are the wrong ones (so I can return them). I'm also not real familiar with the power/depower straps...they seem to work somewhat but I won't pretend I fully understand them (they seem to adjust a long way then unadjust a medium way).

So my question is does anyone remember an older Best Bar (think mines an 08) where the front lines had to be significantly shorter (about a foot) than the back lines? The packaging says Redline Bar which I know I do not have an I'm worried I have lines for wrong bar. Actually I'm worried I will lose depower ability! I called Best and they said the back lines probably just stretched and to put the new lines on and tune it. Also said you may have to use different knots which I do according to the wind. I have a feeling the guy that answered my question might not be familiar with a bar that old.

I attached a pic of my bar with all 4 lines at a fixed point and taught. Any help and/or witty banter is much appreciated!

Attachments:

[genevan]

Its my understanding that actual lengths don't matter at the bar end, so long as you can get the lengths to match up at the other end (opposite the bar). This is what allows me to use a 2008 best bar on my 2008 havoc. If I couldn't get them to match up by adjusting at the bar end, I would stay away from them. Just my 2 cents.

[rider1200]

To be clear these are the old lines with the kite end at a fixed point. The purpose of the picture is to show the difference in rear line length vs front line length and the position of the bar & depower handles. My guess is if I put the new lines (that are equal length) on I will not be able to get the kite ends on a fixed point with all lines tight.

Was trying to avoid installling them and then having to send them back but I'll do it this weekend and post the answer.

[genevan]

I see what your saying. The lines affixed to the rings with no adjustment ability. Yes, I agree - outsides are longer than centers. Mine have about a 6" - 8" difference. Not sure this helps. Btw, when will you be getting a dry suit for the winter?

[rider1200]

Upon closer inspection I realized my rear lines have extensions on them! They're about a foot long and a little different material than the lines themselves (a bit thicker). The extensions themselves look to be in good shape so I just reused them.

Thinking about it it seems the extensions would get me more depower as well as keeping the kite in front of my instead of above my head, which I like, but I'm wondering if its a factor in my whole slamming into the water downwind dilemma. Maybe someday if I have help, wind, time and a safe place I'll try taking the extensions off to see the difference. Maybe, but probably not!

I do have a dry suit but its an Obrien Boost and its more like a mostly-dry suit. If I had it to do again I'd have spent more money on a better suit but with a new baby coming thats probably not going to happen. So for now 55 degrees is my low temp limit, any colder and I become a better husband/father/employee ect.

[Kel Shipman]

The bridles on most kites are set so that when sheeted in, the front and back lines of the bar are the same length. That way there is an easy way to check for stretched lines.

That is the starting point. Then use the knots on either the leaders or the bar end to tweak the tune.