Hello all.

My wife & I had some power-kite lessons when in Cornwall - so for her birthday I bought her a 2.4m2 radsail kite (dual or quad line) which is enough to learn with.

We tried to set up the kite as quad line on 2 handles.

The lines we got with the kite are 35m long. The control lines are about 1m longer than the brake lines:ticking: This meant the kite launched then stalled as the brake lines were tight.

So some simple questions if I may:-

1 - should brake lines be the same length as control lines?
2 - If so, how can I shorten the control lines whilst keeping the thick/fat string loop in tact (as this appear to "BE" the string rather than an add on to it. Or am I being thick?
3 - we followed the rather poor instructions on where to loop the strings - but not 100% sure its perfect. Is there any pictures of how it should be, or if I take a picture of how we've done it can someone confirm it?
4 - the handles have string/knot attachments to join the lines - but also a loop at the bottom. I assume this is for a saftey/wrist line so if its gone wrong you can let go and this drops the power and pulls the brake? Is this right? As its the wifes kite I may need these so suggestions welcome.

Finally, how do you set the kite up for self launch!!!! I'm sure when we learned we had the kite "on its back", strings on top, and then pulled control lines? But not sure ours looks the same?

Sorry for being stupid - pointers most welcome!

MM

Ah...the envy of a wife who's into kiting....maybe one day I'll get mine flying....

Yes, your lines should be all equal and then fine tuned to the kite / preference from there. Best best might be to try to craft a leader extension onto the bridle end of the kite. Go to a sail shop and get a couple meters of good line - should only cost a few bucks.

I think you might be referring to a larkshead knot (looping the strings). It's a simple knot and I'd bet you have it bang on and just think you don't because it's really that simple. This helped me and my brother in law sort things out - http://www.coastalwindsports.com/101FirstFlight4LineHandles.... You'll also find the answer to the loop / safety leash question there. Generally the loops are for staking the kite down, the safety leashes tie up at the end of the leader on the handle on the far side of the brake line attachment.

Tell your wife she's awesome for flying with you!

Thanks - link is great.
I'll see what I can do tomorrow with the length.
The wife into kiting!? lol! She has no choice - she had no idea it was a present; and I booked the lessons in Cornwall! She also had 1/2 day on the skid-pan as well! lol! She won't get old gracefully.... No makeup or perfume here....

You are our kind of people !!!! Lessons and everything

This is a good place to get advice and we have all gone through the stupid question phase. Having the wife on side is about as good as it gets !

It almost sounds like the lines you got are " sleeved " on the ends ??? Most are. If yours are not sewn then you can adjust the sleeve so all lines are equal. If not Macboys suggestion to make extensions is probably best. A small amount of adjustment can be done by moving the lines up and down on the handle or bridle. You may need to tie a knot to move it up ?

Try getting a manual online from Flexi or Ozone and a similar kite. The basics are the same.

You got a good sized kite but I have not heard a lot of good reports about the radsails and how they fly. Good news is it only gets BETTER :singing:

Also check out www.kitesurfingschool.org

Thanks - yep the thick string is a sleeve
So I can move it up the string too, and can see how the knots are formed.
The seller gave me some instructions too and we're also going to shorten the strings to about 27m from 35m and make them all the same. Also got some kite killers coming from ebay.
So I think I know all I need to get the kite set up - so thanks for that - we'll see how it goes from here.....