Power Kite Forum

First time fails

Dethlore - 7-2-2017 at 10:00 AM

The first time we've had wind since I got my used Skydog SDT 2.8, couldn't wait all day at work to get home to try it. Soon as I got home, of course, the wife had a bucket list of things for me to look at and talk about. I finally got out (it was already kinda dark) and unpacked the kite. Laid it out and started unrolling the lines. Went back again (sinking into the snow up to my knees) to lay out the lines.

Maybe there's a trick to it, but man those strings were all twisted around each other SOOO bad! It took me a good half hour to untwist them!

I ran back to where I had the handles tied down and picked them up with a big grin! - and then the wind died...

waited and waited... nothing. Sad and beaten, I started winding the lines back up around the handles. About half-way wound up, the wind kicked back up again... AAHHHHG! By this time, I just finished rolling everything up and went inside to eat dinner. :(

One of these days, I'll be able to get the kite out and have my first real foil experience.

Windstruck - 7-2-2017 at 10:15 AM

Welcome to the addiction. Reading your post has me thinking you could benefit from a few simple tips on how to wind and unwind your lines. The venerable Mr. Holgate offers the kiting community a fine video:

bigkid - 7-2-2017 at 10:18 AM

So what was for dinner?
As you progress in this sport the perfect days outnumber the crappy ones . In the beginning you look for any wind at all, heck a good cough is enough wind to try to fly in. The wind will blow and you will have everything fall into its place for an amazing day, just be sure your not the part that falls into some sort of unwanted space.

B-Roc - 7-2-2017 at 10:42 AM

I can't see windstrucS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s video at work but if it doesn't include tips on how to parapack your kite and you are flying on handles then I highly recommend you check this out http://www.racekites.com/how-to-fly-part-4-packing-away/

I don't fly much on handles these days but when I did and when I do, I always parapack. Looks like a mess but works like a charm and the kite is the last thing to come out of the bag when setting up and the first to go back in when packing up so you know it is always secured while you are vulnerable.

Feyd - 7-2-2017 at 11:08 AM

My 2 cents.

I wish people would get into the habit of laying the lines and securing the brakes before opening up the wing. :(

Opening the wing first, with no means to control the kite if it accidentally catches the wind can be an annoyance at best or a hazard on a bad day.

Obviously Mr. Holgate has his wing weighted. But my bet is few people will make that extra effort. At least not many that I have seen.

Windstruck - 7-2-2017 at 11:10 AM

Never tried parapacking but always found it sort of cool looking on the videos I've seen of it. Nope, the video I linked to is an oldie but goodie from John Holgate that includes, among other things the right way to wind the lines around the handles (wax on wax off) so things don't get all tangled up.

Feyd - 7-2-2017 at 11:16 AM

We don't para-pack. If you are fortunate enough to get out regularly, folding, unfolding, refolding the same way can cause issues with the coating on materials. We burrito roll everything pretty much. Less change of wear risers due to repetition. With simple fixed bridles its reasonable to still shove the bridles into the bag after the kite. With depowers, the key is keeping the pulleys and speed system separate from the bridles. If you don't want issues.

ssayre - 7-2-2017 at 11:22 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Feyd  
My 2 cents.

I wish people would get into the habit of laying the lines and securing the brakes before opening up the wing. :(

Opening the wing first, with no means to control the kite if it accidentally catches the wind can be an annoyance at best or a hazard on a bad day.

Obviously Mr. Holgate has his wing weighted. But my bet is few people will make that extra effort. At least not many that I have seen.


Crazy talk. I've always unpacked the kite first laid parallel to wind. Weight up wind tip, unwind and launch. Eliminates the need for me to need a kite stake. Ice is a different story I'm sure. But yes you can't lay the kite out with no weight.

Dethlore - 7-2-2017 at 12:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bigkid  
So what was for dinner?


A delicious homemade meaty sauced spaghetti!

Thanks to everyone for your feedback! While I've watched TONS of videos on this stuff, actually doing it is quite a bit different! :)

Being new to this, I'm willing to try everything until I find what works best for me. I appreciate all the tips and help!

I'll update next time I'm able to try it out. Hopefully with success!

bigkid - 7-2-2017 at 12:17 PM

Spaghetti sounds good, how about tonight?:lol:
The best tip I ever got and the one I pass on to anyone I teach is, "consistency".
Set it up the same way each time and put it away the opposite way each time, wax on-wax off.

Dethlore - 7-2-2017 at 12:19 PM

tonight... is something else. all the spaghetti is gone :/

wax on wax off is wise! :) Excited for some more wind hopefully coming this week!

TEDWESLEY - 7-2-2017 at 12:21 PM

With fixed bridles I always parapack. The kite is always attached to something. When setting up step1: attach brake lines to stake or ice screw.
step2 : pay out lines as you walk down wind. the kite is still contained in the bag or pack. step3 unfurl the kite which should pop open
and sit on the ground ready for launch.
step4 : pick up handles and stake, launch.
If it is very gusty, the trailing edge may need weights to keep from " skirting up " and flapping around.
With depowers I haven't figured out a good way that doesn't require two trips to the kite. I do the burrito roll pack which means that the
kite has some exposure to the wind, even though heavily weighted. On ice, having the whole mess attached is critical. Try chasing your kite
sliding along down wind while you stomp after it in ski boots! On a really punchy day, nothing beats an experienced helper.

Dethlore - 7-2-2017 at 02:12 PM

So is it common then that it takes forever checking the line for tangles, and all the videos I see just gloss over the half hour of curses with a simple step of "make sure the lines are not tangled"? -unless you're just experienced to the point where you can wind/unwind without problems -

hahaha not that it deters me from wanting to do this... just something to laugh at. :)

Unk - 8-2-2017 at 01:10 AM

The key to packing 4 line is repetition :thumbup:
No matter how much of a hurry to get started or pack up do it right of pay for it next time.

After spending ages when I started kiting untangling kite lines I was shown how to do it.
I am right handed so this works easiest for me

PACKING AWAY
Kite para-packed or rolled as long as it is secured
Both handles held at the bottom in the left hand
With all 4 lines in your right hand wrap them clockwise around the handles
With the last couple of feet of line lock the lines by wrapping between the handles, this stops them all coming loose later

UNPACKING
Kite secured on the ground
Both handles held at the bottom in the left hand
Unlock the lines from between the handles
With all 4 lines in your right hand unwrap them anti-clockwise around the handles

Once you start wrapping/unwrapping your line at NO time do you let go of the handles or lines
Once you have done it a few time it just becomes the natural way. I will now not let anyone else wrap up my kites as I don't know how they will unwrap next time I use them and I don't want to spend the first half hour spinning round unwrapping lines.

Dethlore - 8-2-2017 at 09:40 AM

Sound advice! I'll just have to get out and do it. :)

Thanks guys

Windstruck - 8-2-2017 at 10:17 AM

Doh! I just realized that I linked the wrong video earlier. John has so many videos I can't keep track of which one has what topic. The video below (starting at about 7:40 seconds in) demonstrates a simple and highly effective way of winding a four line kite up that uses a simple gym sock. As we've all been saying, wax on/wax off, or put another way, do the exact opposite in your unwind as your windup.

soliver - 8-2-2017 at 06:38 PM

This was the method I always used with my FB foils:

https://vimeo.com/85890919

As with most things, once you do it a few times and it becomes routine, packing or unpacking can take 5 minutes.

Cheddarhead - 8-2-2017 at 09:17 PM

Can't say I've ever found a good way to pack up when the winds are nuking. Landing solo in strong wind results in survival packing. Stuff in bag anyway you can and get the heck out of there. Repack on a calm day:D

Chook - 9-2-2017 at 04:18 PM

I had a mate with great intentions roll up my Revolution quad lines.
I realized as I was untangling them later that he was left handed.
I had unrolled them as I normally do and induced lots of twists. I complicated these into tangles when I ran my hand down the lines between my fingers to separate them.
Took me half an hour to separate just a single line then it got much easier.

Gota keep fluffing the lines round not pulling anything tight and a beverage beside you keeps you hydrated instead of frustrated.:D

Success!!! aaaaaaaaaand fail

Dethlore - 6-3-2017 at 09:11 AM

Here's my update!

Finally had some decent wind - enough to get the kite in the air.
For packing, I've found the parapack style was immediately a lot easier for me - packing and unpacking. Literally took 5 minutes or less. That way, when it's wet from the snow, it's not so much of an ordeal to unpack it inside to let it dry out (and clean mud off it).

Soliver>> That method looks pretty slick as well. I may try that one if I ever get around to getting a winder... or make one.

So I finally got it up in the air and hoooooooooooooooooooly crap it's fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've watched so many vids on how to fly and take off and land etc etc, but it was so dog gone difficult to get it up in the air! It finally took my 2 sons on each wing tip holding it up to finally get a clean launch.
It pulled me around my back yard pretty good and it put me on my back at one point. I just lay there, enjoying the view of the kite in the air. Then I ran it through some power zone so I could stand back up, and that's where my wife started filming me from the house.

I have a problem though - and I am betting many of you know what my problem is... As I was flying, it suddenly started corkscrewing down, almost as if it were shot and died. I couldn't recover, no matter which way I pulled the lines. I have some video of it. I haven't edited this at all, so if it's hard to see, I can zoom in and edit it when I get home so it's easier to see.
Wind was still stable and lines weren't tangle (as far as I know). Here's the video starting at 35 seconds (just before the corkscrew of death).

starting at 35 seconds...
https://youtu.be/8RFQrFsuEAw?t=35s

full vid starting at the beginning...


Thanks for your help guys!

flyguy0101 - 6-3-2017 at 09:59 AM

just a quick watch and would guess that the lines went slack and you hooked a brake line on to a bridle knot. need to learn to lean back and scud don't run after the kite - it usually wont end very pretty- your butt has more cushion than your face:P
keep it up and have fun- could not tell if you had a brain bucket on but if not get one

Dethlore - 6-3-2017 at 10:05 AM

Quote: Originally posted by flyguy0101  
just a quick watch and would guess that the lines went slack and you hooked a brake line on to a bridle knot. need to learn to lean back and scud don't run after the kite - it usually wont end very pretty- your butt has more cushion than your face:P
keep it up and have fun- could not tell if you had a brain bucket on but if not get one


Ahhhh that would make sense. It's all a new feeling, but I figure I'll get used to scudding. I do have a brain bucket, but my field is all really soft. Only thing that can happen here is getting a mouthful of mud! haha But I did recently buy a new skiing helmet that doubles as a biking helmet that I intend to use for kiting.

Thanks!

flyguy0101 - 6-3-2017 at 10:30 AM

ALWAYS wear a helmet and put it on before the kite leaves the ground- have seen tooo many instances where it gets ugly quick- hell watched my son get supermanned on a kite - had a helmet and never even hit his head but hit the ground so hard rattled his brain and caused a concussion and that was a muddy field as well. I have done a lot of crazy things and can say without a doubt I have suffered more injuries and serious ones at the end of a kite than anything else. But yes I still love to fly but I do prepare appropriately

Dethlore - 6-3-2017 at 10:35 AM

Quote: Originally posted by flyguy0101  
ALWAYS wear a helmet and put it on before the kite leaves the ground- have seen tooo many instances where it gets ugly quick- hell watched my son get supermanned on a kite - had a helmet and never even hit his head but hit the ground so hard rattled his brain and caused a concussion and that was a muddy field as well. I have done a lot of crazy things and can say without a doubt I have suffered more injuries and serious ones at the end of a kite than anything else. But yes I still love to fly but I do prepare appropriately


I planned on the helmet for big winds, or if I get on a skateboard or buggy. Didn't really think of it for my back yard, but then... I wear a helmet religiously for other sports - this isn't any different, even if it's just my back yard.
I'll make the helmet mandatory. Thanks!

hiaguy - 6-3-2017 at 01:21 PM

I'm glad that you've finally had a taste of the excitement. Welcome to the party.
Looks like flyguy has the answer to the spiraling kite issue.

Helmet? Check.

Everybody upwind? Not so much!
About 34 seconds into the video, you and your child both realize that there's something amiss. ALWAYS ensure that spectators are behind you. Lines under tension are quite unforgiving. Gotta keep the kids safe so that they can join you at a buggy bash!

Fly safe,
h

Dethlore - 6-3-2017 at 01:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by hiaguy  

Everybody upwind? Not so much!


I thought I was aware when I was out there, but watching from that view shows quite the opposite! Definitely an eye opener. Thanks!