I'm just getting into depower kites, and of course with the kite goes all of the gear that you need. The one piece of gear I haven't gotten yet is a kite leash. I'm not sure exactly what their purpose is, but after looking at pictures of them, they don't seem very complicated. This may seem like a silly question, but could I just make my own?

the leash is made so when you have to disconnect the kite from your harness, the kite doesn't drift along down wind and get stuck in a tree, end up getting stuck somewhere, or end up hurting someone.

Can I make something like that?

Yes, you can probably make your own.

The important componenents are a strong clip system like a dog leash ( stainless ) to attach to the kite + your harness.

The important thing is to install a Quick Release. You can make a good one with a cotter pin and peice of tubing.

It should hold when you deploy your primary safety and have secondary release so you can let the whole rig go.

Glad to hear I can make my own. That will definitely save me some $. Is there any way you could draw out how to make one?

it is $25.... and can save your gear... this is one thing that i would recommend you just buy from people who are professionally making them

Didn't want to be a wet blanket, but +1 to Dylan's comment.

Here is a high-res photo of the Ozone leash.
http://media.flyozone.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem...

It doesn't have a swivel, but others do.

I think what you are going to find is that after you source the findings, do the work, pay for gas, and shipping for individual pieces, it is going to cost you more in the long run.

Also, it is going to be a pain to find a bungee cover (keeps the leash short and out of the way, until deployed.... also reduces some of the initial shock-loading).

ATB,
Sam

I replied quickly to this thread on my way out this a.m.

While you can make a leash I tend to agree that it is a good investment buying a manufactured one. They are cheap and so is shipping.

Odds are you will get a leash with he kite or bar that you buy. Another reason to hold off.

It will cost you almost as much to put a good one together as buy one.


Here is a link to how to home make a Q.R.
http://kiteboarderz.piczo.com/projects?cr=6&linkvar=0000...

Buy 'em +2

Aren't the leashes designed to break at a certain tension? 2 years ago when I was static flying my HQ TSR 3.6 Beamer, a strong gust of 30+mph came out of nowhere and drug me about 20ft on my stomach after letting go of the bar until the wrist leash snapped and the kite blew about 30ft on the ground until I was able to stop it. I was the only person in a 40acre hayfield when flying the kite. I would have to agree with the rest of the gang and buy one that is designed for your kite.

So what is the real use of the kite leash? Is it basically like kite killers for a fixed bridle with handles except for the fact that it doesn't shut the kite down?

Call it a kite killer for depower. Just buy one you can get them off ebay for like 25 bucks. You dont want to make one because if it fails when you need it kite goes bye bye

Depends on the kite, some of the leashes and kites with maybe 5 lines have it so the leash is able to kill the power in the kite and bring it down.

As the others have said, just buy one. You'll pay avg $25 for a good one, and on the high end $35 if you can't somehow get a deal.

Quote:

Originally posted by lynx69 until the wrist leash snapped and the kite

different kind of leash, different kind of kite, these are for depower kites, and do not hook on your wrist

I think you are getting confused here. Kite leashes are almost always used on depower kites. Not on fixed-bridle. With a fixed-bridle kite, you use kite killers. Unless you are hooking into a strop, in which case its a completely different system all together. Well, almost.

In any case, if we manage to hook up this weekend, I can show you the difference between the two (as I have both kinds of kites), and you can see. Also, all the depower kites I bought, came with their own kite leash...

I don't think he's confused ragden. He's intending to go depower. He's working on aquiring the harness, leash, and kites.

Oh, okay. Don't most depower kites come with their own kite leashs? Or am I mistaken and only Flysurfer does that?

I know my HQ Apex II did not come with one. With the PL arcs it's included as part of the bar.

Ozones come with them. I think the shopping list was because power was looking at a KO purchase from someone.

ATB,
Sam

Pretty sure you're right wolf.

Ah, that makes sense... I'll shut up now.

I got a kite only depower, and I don't think it comes with a leash. Does anyone have an old one they want to sell me for cheap?

A kite leash isnt a very expensive item. I started checking with flysurfer-usa.com, but they dont have it listed on the website. You could probably e-mail the owner and ask though. However, I did find the following at eastofmaui.com:

http://eastofmaui.com/north5thelementleash.aspx

35 dollars for a brand new one....

I keep thinking about the leash setup that carltb uses. If the chickenloop comes unhooked accidentally, then the kite is still flying on that leash. I don't envision riding unhooked on purpose but it could come loose and then it just floats along with the wind till it comes down.

Dylan,
Not to get into an argument about wrist leashes but Power said he was looking for a cheap lei kite. He never stated what kind of kite he was wanting to hook a safetyt leash to. My Best SLE Depower kite bar came with a wrist leash that you hook to the OSh"t handle loop. I opted to remove the wristband and hooked a swivel clevit that I attached to my harness. There are multiple ways to hook the safety leashes up.

But the bottom line as everyone has agreed is just buy one factory made.