scott540 - 18-7-2006 at 03:13 PM
Hey, I got my first kite about 2 weeks ago. It's a Beemer 2.5 and I've been flying it as much as the wind allows. The only question I have is about
winding up the lines. Are there any tricks to winding up the lines so they don't get twisted? I spend a lot of time just getting the lines untwisted
before I can launch it. Right now I've been winding them on the handles. Right side on the right handle etc.. but the power and the brake lines
seem to get twisted together. This is so much fun though. My kids were laughing watching me trying not too get pulled around too much out in the
filed at the park. Damn sore after the first few times too. good workout.
code - 18-7-2006 at 04:03 PM
Scott,
Don't get frustrated no matter how much your kids laugh. If they continue to laugh let them try to fly the kite
it'll be the last time they laugh at ya
You should be able to get a kite line winder at your nearby kite shop. They help quite a bit. Other then that suggestion I'm
sorry I can't offer more help. We all go thru the pains of untangling to some degree. Before having a kite winder I use to wrap the lines around both
handles, as oppose to doing the right side on the right handles and the left on the left.
Glad you're enjoying the kite regardless!
~Joe
scott540 - 18-7-2006 at 05:47 PM
Thanks Joe, I'll look for one. It's not frustrasting at all. I'm having a ball. I never imagined a kite could have that much pull. Everyone on this
board is right about starting small with around a 2.5 meter. First it was just fun in light wind learning how to keep it up now and finding the
different areas where it pulls more. Now I've had it in some stronger winds and it's blast.
Pablo - 18-7-2006 at 09:30 PM
Best way I've found to wind the lines is to have the kite layed out on the ground, put some weight on the trailing edge, kite sitting on it's back so
it can't catch any wind, put both the handles together, hold in the right hand and wrap the lines up as you head to the kite, be sure to keep some
tension on the lines as you wind. The trick comes in the unwinding, you have to hold the handles in the same hand, same way you wound them up and
unwind them with the other hand, reversing the motion you used to wrap them up. If you let them slide off the end of the handles you'll get quite a
few twists, the way I do it, you usually get 1 twist on the lines, you can spin both the handles together to get rid of the twist.
When doing this it's key to leave the lines stuck to the handles and kite.when you get to the kite, you fold the kite and roll the last of the kite
around the handles.
coreykite - 19-7-2006 at 11:34 AM
Bit easier way...
First - Bag your kite.
Why pile rocks or sand when you can just put it in the bag?
There. Done. No blowing or flapping.
Right-handed?
Hold both handles in your left hand (left and right correct)
With your right hand, reach over the top lines and grab both bottom lines.
Bring them up and around the top of your handles, clockwise.
Do one full-wrap.
After you wrap once, as you cross over the top lines, add them to the bottoms and continue in a figure-8 pattern around the tops and bottoms of your
handles.
When you reach the first leads off the kite (usually the bottoms) wrap your lines around the handles until you're up to the bridles.
This wrap locks the lines onto your handles.
Open the bag, squish the kite (and bridles) to one side and slide the handles down into the bag.
Next Time:
Open the bag, withdraw the handles, close the bag and put it on the ground.
Unwrap the lines in a mirror-image of how you put them on.
If you wrap clock-wise, unwrap counter clock-wise.
Have the handles the same as when you wound the lines on.
When you get your lines out, you might have one or two twists in your set.
Usually the same direction every time.
Holding both handles together, unwrap them.
Seperating your handles moves the wrap towards the kite.
Start to notice the seperate steps you use when dealing with your lines.
The magic is in the Mirror-Image.
Safen Up! Buggy On!
"Often wrong... Never in doubt"
the coreylama
jumping_jim - 19-7-2006 at 12:44 PM
if your having troublewith twists try para packing, its extremely quick and easy and you get no twists. First put the bridles in the middle of the
kite and fold it up and put it into the bag, then walk back to your handles and make a small pocket in the middle of the folded kite in the bag, and
just stuff the lines into there until they are all in, then put the handles in the bag, but not in the same bit where all the lines are, put them down
the side of the kite or something. it looks like a mess in there but ive never had any tangles by doing it, and thats the only way ive ever packed
away.
scott540 - 19-7-2006 at 02:28 PM
Thanks guys. I never thought about putting the kite in the bag first! No more blowing around while I'm winding or unwinding! Too bad it's been
dead calm here and 90+ degrees or I would try it tonight.
DON321 - 21-7-2006 at 05:55 PM
Parapacking works, thats the way I do it, just remember when you pull them back out pull out the handles and peg them down to the ground then walk
with the whole kite and bag away from the handles to stretch the lines out, (just like a parachute opening ,lines out then shute opens) havent had any
tangles yet.......
I used to figure 8 them on the handles, works just as well but takes a little longer
mirror image is the key like everyone says.....