Just curious if anyone knows if paracord 550 would work to make pig tails. I'm separating some of my ns2 bridles to be flown as 4 line and I already have some paracord laying around. If not, what is recommended.

Paracord is usually made from nylon and stretchy. That might make control sketchy.

Not sure on the breaking strength - it's not known as paracord here where you either go into a rock climbing store and buy accessory cord - 2,3,4,5,6,7,8mm kernmantle nylon or you go to a marine chandler and get double braid spectra or polyester. I've used 3mm polyester double braid and not had any break - you could just make a 4" (or thereabouts) loop with a fig 8 in one end to give you a loop & knot combo. I've also bought the proper spectra pigtails - it's nice having a proper spliced loop but not necessary. 3mm polyester double braid has a breaking strength of a little over 300lbs - doubled over in a loop would certainly up that figure and as the fig 8 knot is used as something to larks foot around, it shouldn't reduce the breaking strength.

If your paracord is 3 or 4mm and double braid nylon or polyester (don't think there's a huge difference between the two - poly doesn't stretch as much and is a bit denser than nylon) it should do the job. You could also use some double braided spectra from a yacht suppliers - much stronger than poly or nylon but a bit of a bugger to cut.

I have permanently put loop to loop pigtails on the brake/power bridles on most of my Nasa's then joined them together with a loop/knot pigtail. That way, if I want to fly them as a four line, I only have to remove the one pigtail to separate the two sets of lines. If you do that, just remember to extend your center line by the same amount.

Thanks John, that's a good idea. Although I thought I would just larks head knot the kite line loop end around both power and brake pig tail knots when switching back to bar. Wouldn't that work?

Come to think of it, on the 2.5m, I've used two loop to knot pigtails on each side and larks foot my flying line around both knots - a little bulky but seems to work. That way, it's always ready to go a four line if I want.

(edit) - yep, I think that's what you described.

Here's a shot of both. One's setup with the two loop to loop pigails (proper ones!) and the other I've used some 2.5mm Spectra from the marine supplies for the two loop to knot pigtails.

Yeah, the picture on the left is exactly how I have my 4 meter set up now. I do like the way you have it on right a little better though. I flew the 4 meter in 4 line mode today. I did not use the z bridle leg. I think I like balancing the brake tension. After all, If I wanted it to fly just like a foil, I would just fly one of my foils instead.

Thanks for the pictures John. Did you make your loop to loop pigtails?

The loop to loop pigtails are 'kook proof' pigtails - they come in a set. Linky here: Kook Proof pigtail set

The only thing I would add is the pigtail to bridle knot. I use this method I found from a build for a NPW HA, it's the same as your photo John but has an extra twist which does really lock everything in-place:

I have used p-cord a lot. as long it is a short piece it works fine.:alien:

I just made me up a set of Zs to test the waters. I'll see how I like them. Like John did, I'll prolly set all of them up with the Z bridle option.