Power Kite Forum

What is the proper knot for a bridle at the kite?

ratindahat - 17-4-2007 at 08:18 AM

Hey all,

So i had a line on my 3.6 untie itself from the little loop at the leading edge of the kite. What is the proper way to tie these things? I got it flying again but i am worried about my knot untying. Any ideas?

And a quick review of the 3.6 from New Tech. I like the construction. It looks cool, but it was definitely not ready to fly. Lines had to be stretched and the brake lines were too tight(even on the last knot of the leader.) Handles are worthless as in 10mph winds i had both power leaders ripped out of the handles. Oh, and the handles were constructed upside down. Brake loops on the top?

Let's just say that i am frustrated at best. It pulls harder than my 2.5 when I can get it up in the air. Just trying to sort all the random B.S. out so i can actually enjoy flying it.

Thanks,
-Dusty-

B-Roc - 17-4-2007 at 09:23 AM

I would think it is larksheaded to the loop as oppposed to tied directly to the loop? As for the knot which would create the loop to larkshead, I'd use a figure of 8 knot. that will hold for sure. Even an overhand would likely hold if you tightened it down enough.

I've used both on my linesets when tying those and they've lasted for years.

domdino - 17-4-2007 at 09:30 AM

larkshead knot is pretty much the only knot you'll need to know for kites...



but if it's at the other end i used to just add figure eights whereever i wanted another knot... ;)

B-Roc - 17-4-2007 at 09:31 AM

agreed but I'm assuming since it "untied itself" the knot that held the loop to make the larkshead failed.

domdino - 17-4-2007 at 09:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by B-Roc
agreed but I'm assuming since it "untied itself" the knot that held the loop to make the larkshead failed.


yeah you're right :spin:

Probably just an overhand knot would do it fine... strange that it came undone shouldn't really happen?

ratindahat - 17-4-2007 at 11:11 AM

Misunderstanding.

On the kite there are numerous loops of dacron ribbon. I'm talking directly on the kite. One of the leading edge bridal lines untied itself from the loop of ribbon from the leading edge.

I am not talking about where the flying lines hook to the bridle. I'm talking where the bridle hooks to the kite.

Sorry for the confusion.

-Dusty-

awindofchange - 17-4-2007 at 12:33 PM

What I would recommend is looking at the other bridle lines and carefully picking apart one of the other knots to see how it is attached. You should be able to duplicate the knot so it is tied the same as the other ones. It is important that the bridle line length is not changed from the factory length. You can check the overall length of the bridle line with the same line on the opposite side of the kite (assuming that the kite is like most others and the bridle on one side is symmetrical with the other side). Usually on a new kite, the knots will be a little loose. The manufacturer assumes that the knots will tighten when the kite is first flown in the air. Simply copying the same knot on the other bridle lines should have you back in the air no problems.

New Tech has some awesome customer support. If all else fails you may want to contact them directly and they may be able to help you further. Personally I would just re-tie the line and fly.

Hope this helps.

ratindahat - 17-4-2007 at 01:37 PM

thanks.

Taper123 - 18-4-2007 at 06:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by ratindahat
Hey all,

So i had a line on my 3.6 untie itself from the little loop at the leading edge of the kite. What is the proper way to tie these things?

And a quick review of the 3.6 from New Tech. I like the construction. It looks cool, but it was definitely not ready to fly. Lines had to be stretched and the brake lines were too tight(even on the last knot of the leader.) Handles are worthless as in 10mph winds i had both power leaders ripped out of the handles. -Dusty-



Let's see... I had the same exact problem with both the 3.6 and 4.9 Ballistics from New Tech.

Handles: Go to a marine store, or anywhere that sells high quality line/rope... get a couple feet of small diameter sheathed line (Like Staset X) Most anything made for small sailboat rigging is PERFECT!!!! Remove the old leaders, run it through... tie a figure eight knot and pull this tight inside the handle, and then put some knots where you want your attachement points to be for the flying lines. Cut it to the length you want, and burn the end to keep it from fraying. I did this to mine, and have NEVER had one fly out again. Total cost for this fix.... under five bucks.

Plus with a little longer brake leader.... the kites fly well again. They really are good kites to start out on, and will take a lot of abuse.

For the knot to use, I like to use a bowline knot at the bridle points if I am tying them. Simple knot, easy to undo if you have to tweak it a bit, but once under a load it will stay put.

ratindahat - 18-4-2007 at 09:25 AM

Thanks for the input. I used a bowline for the bridle knot and it seemed to hold up yesterday.

I used my other line set yesterday and the kite flys as it should. So i looked at the lines that came with it and the power lines are at least 6 inches longer than the brakes. That would cause some issues. I like 65 foot lines anyway, so i am just going to stretch them and cut them down to 65.

I was happy to actually have the kite flying yesterday. I like it. Not too lifty but has some decent pull.

-Dusty-