Slingshot Rally settings

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

Any input from riders of the Rally's Have some 2013's and wondered what knots people use and why. thanks for your time!!!

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

did the knots change from the 2012?

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

Another question, since there are 4 settings, if you use the most powerful(fastest) setting is the 2014 same speed as the 2012's?

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

the Rally has a choice of 3 knots when attaching the lines from the bar.
my experience from over 100 days on the Rally kite.....
in most conditions I use the middle knot for both front and outside lines.
light winds - i rig the outside lines on the know knot closest to the kite.
heavy winds - i rig the outside lines on the knot furthest from the kite.
I don't mess with the attachment of the front lines (always use middle knot).... i've experienced performance degradation if i vary the attachments by 2 knots (i.e. front lines on knot number 1 and rear lines on number 3).

additionally - regarding the wing tip attachment points labeled light....heavy.
I find that light means less bar pressure pulling at your arms... but more important is that less bar pressure is required to turn the kite (it's more responsive to bar steering).
The heavy setting pulls harder on your arms and makes the kite steering less responsive (you gotta tug the bar to get the kite to turn).

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate your input:-)!!

toddjb · Since 16 Oct 2007 271 Posts MD Obsessed

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

I have 2014 Rallys in 9m and 12m. Before that I had 2012's in the same sizes.

Having flown both now, the 12m definitely has better low end and the performance characteristics are arguably better regardless of the settings. The 9m seems very similar with again (as advertised) perhaps better low end though not as noticeable as the differences in the 12m.

The extra struts seem to provide more structure to the canopy which you'd think would result in a more-direct, snappy feel when working the kite. I think it does, but need more sessions in different conditions. Stoked about them though, very nice kites.

soona · Since 27 Sep 2009 72 Posts

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

actual size can vary wildly, especially between brands. Once a design is set, it typically stays the same size year to year, but you can't believe the numbers. Ever!

Bigger sizes are especially prone to stretching the truth. The most powerful 14m on the market is likely closer to 15 or 16m, etc...

The design program tells the maker the precise size, why doesn't one step up and put true sizes?

"Here's you brand new 11.67 sq. meter kite"

soona · Since 27 Sep 2009 72 Posts

Yeah, I realize sizes can vary and manufacturers can exaggerate - but I've never (in windsurfing or kiting) heard anyone say that the new model is "a size bigger," like it's common knowledge released by the manufacturer.

And what is "a size bigger"? One meter bigger?

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

@KMG

A lighter version of what has been explained on this thread. I only change the steering line knot setting by going to the middle knot from the end knot if the session is a little lighter wind. I always put the power lines on the outside knot.

toddjb · Since 16 Oct 2007 271 Posts MD Obsessed

toddjb · Since 16 Oct 2007 271 Posts MD Obsessed

First off, I love the kites. I'm only posting these 2012 / 2014 pictures as a comparison so people can choose what size they want to buy. I used to always say that the 2012 Rallys were small for their size, relative to the kites most other companies were making. The thing is, I got used to it and loved the great low-end that this smaller agile kite delivered! The 2014s ("improved low end") are likely sized proportional to the rest of the market.

First, some shots of the 2014 14M in the sky on a light air day;

In all the following pictures I have place a new (flown one day) 2014 underneath a well used 2012 Rally. Both 14M. There is nothing scientific here although I tried to center the 2012 kite on top of the 2014, with the center struts laying on top of each other and the middle of the leading edges flush on both kites. So, whatever fabric you see exposed on the end of the kite shown, is the same exposed on the other side. I did take one picture (here) of the kite slid all the way to one side to show the accumulated delta in trailing edge length.

Anyway, as you can see the chord of the kite is longer (length of struts), the width of the kite is longer, and when inflated it is clear that the LE is fatter. Both kites seem to have a similar shape in the sky so it seems like the projected area would be proportionally larger as opposed to having longer "sides" or something, but who knows. Hopefully this better explains my earlier post that the 14M seems to be "a size larger" than the 2012 version. Nothing wrong with that, I don't think SS is pulling the wool over anybody's eyes, it's just data to use when picking out your quiver. That's all…

in the above photo you can see the two LEs right on top of each other. even though on the other photos, I know it looks like I have the 2012 overlapping the 2014.

Again, I'm sure these are not exact, and "no" I'm not going to retake any of these pictures. I took them quick while I had both kites. I did not pay mind to make sure that both kites were perfectly flat or square. Take it for what it's worth. I'm a fan of the Rally and if I had 2012s and was upgrading to 2014s, I think this would be good info. From other reviews, it sounds like any size increases are most notable on the large kites. This being the 14M (largest in the line) it is likely not relevant to the 8M kite changes. Final disclaimer, I also never flew the 2013 Rallys so for all I know, this size delta is old news! Smile

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

Thanks for the photos and comparisons. Much appreciated. Only comment I have is that I like the 2012 Rakkys a bit more fir tbuer lightweight and speed. I think speed majes up for size and at 180lbs it works better for me.

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

Thanks for the photos and comparisons. Much appreciated. Only comment I have is that I like the 2012 Rallys a bit more for their lightweight and speed. I think speed makes up for size, and at 180lbs it works better for me.