I think you worked it out yourself, most people use one bar for 3 kites (or simlilar) so they need to swap it (didn't realise it wasn't recommended haha).
Also maybe you should try it and see what happens.

Because it's easier to do all the stuff I want to do. With everything separate I only have to manage one thing at a time. With stuff connected I have to deal with the kite and the bar and the sand and shat that gets stuck on it.

At the end of the session there can be sand on the bar and lines. I like to wash the sand off in the sea. When I get home I wash the bar and lines in fresh water. All that would be too hard to do attached to the kite.

I like to fold the kite neatly and put it in the bag. Having the bar attached makes that more difficult to do. I guess I could learn how to do it but there's no real reason to.

The bar is hard and I like to keep hard abrasive things away from the kite when it's packed away.

It's not hard or a problem to re-attach the lines and I would still have to check them even if they were left attached. You can just as easily pass the whole bar through a line or the bridle and make a mess of things.

I have 3 kites and a bar for each so I could leave them attached. I prefer not to for the reasons above, and when it comes time to sell it is better to sell a kite with a matching bar and lines. You can also mix and match for a different feel from time to time.

Wet sandy lines in your kitebag is never going to be good for your kite and you can't rinse your lines but if you often forget to attach your lines it might help

I've tried it a number of times and i find that at least half the time i end up with a massive tangle that takes ages to fix.

I persisted for a while, hoping i would eventually work out how to do it without the massive tangle.

Yes, if you do it right it is quicker. but on average you will spend longer because when you muck it up you muck it up good.

It's not worth it.

To be clear, this isn't about taking shortcuts or not doing things correctly so appologies to those that have interpreted as such. It's simply something I am considering doing but being new to the sport though I'd ask the wider community for feedback. Sounds like to pretty responsible thing to do if you ask me.

Thus far the main reasons why would or would not disconnect you lines are:
- ease of dealing with the kite and bar/lines seperately - makes sense
- ability to wash bar and lines - similarly makes sense
- bar getting tangled in bridles - I think once you have a system worked out this shouldn't be an issue.

The main benefit, apart from the time saving, is once it's on, there is no potential for the lines to be tied incorrectly there after.

"The main benefit, apart from the time saving, is once it's on, there is no potential for the lines to be tied incorrectly there after."

I assume you have not done your lessons yet, as the pigtails and larks heads are colour coded and while it is possible to incorrectly connect your lines, if you match the colours it doesn't happen so much these days. Also, you don't really "tie" your lines - its a hitch. The main problem that occurs during rigging is that lines are connected up with a twist in them. Ensuring your lines are correctly connected is something that occurs during launch time and is a shared responsibility between the launcher and the launchee (unless your launcher has no experience)

Also, it is perfectly acceptable to have one bar and multiple kites - especially when you have the same kite in different sizes. Even between kite brands and makes it's OK - especially with 4 line kites - 5th line can be tricky as the 5th is different lengths depending on the design.

Disconnecting lines and rolling them up on the bar allows you to de-twist your lines at the end of a session, which is a good thing.

Trying to roll up your kite at the end of a session on a windy day would be a complete pain, plus getting it in the bag.

I can't see ANY benefit to be had from leaving your lines on.

The only time it would be worthwhile is if you have to pre rig your kite on the beach and then deflate the leading edge prior to getting on a boat for boat launching (down the track, not a newbie challenge) and then its something only done just prior to hitting the water.

lostinlondon said...

"The main benefit, apart from the time saving, is once it's on, there is no potential for the lines to be tied incorrectly there after."

I assume you have not done your lessons yet,

thats another way to make a mistake...by "assuming"

little o said...

Wow nice to see how supportive everyone is of a newbie............NOT

Yeah that was the impression I got but that's ok, it's a public forum and everyone is entitled to their opinion.

However, some people did actually try and help answer the question and take the time to explain some of it's implications which was very appreciated. At least now I have a much better idea than I did 12hrs ago.

Freddofrog said...

little o said...

Wow nice to see how supportive everyone is of a newbie............NOT

Yeah that was the impression I got but that's ok, it's a public forum and everyone is entitled to their opinion.

However, some people did actually try and help answer the question and take the time to explain some of it's implications which was very appreciated. At least now I have a much better idea than I did 12hrs ago.

Fair point here... whats with the unsupportive approach? Is this the kitesurfing equiv. to surfers not wanting non-locals on their wave?

i have tried both and i prefer to run the lines out each time i rig.

1/ you sort out any tangles easier, once you start doing rolls etc you will get lots of twists
2/ less chance of creating tangles and launching the kite with the bar through the lines.
3/ its better not to pack your kite with the bar, it can damage it
4/ its a good way to keep a check on if there is any damage anywere and look at swivels etc.

its really fast to run out lines once you get the hang of it, best idea for this sport is dont cut corners where the danger is, lines are one of the most important parts!

What you can do is when rigging downwind:

- clear the bridles and make sure they are straight etc
- attach the two front lines
- unwind the lines walking away from the kite.
- walk back checking the front lines and separating the back lines.
- attach the back lines.
- check all lines and bridles are clear.
- go back the bar and hold he bar up and sight all lines and bridles are clear from the bar right up to the kite.

Laurie ( Seabreeze El Supremo) & his team set up a forum section specifically for "new to kiting" Seabreezers.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/forum.asp?forum_id=72
Fossil

Thanks Fossil. I've gone through that section and other "newbies" sections on other forums in a fair amount of depth.

As one "experienced" member put it, if you want a decent answer put it in the General section as the newbies section is mainly read by newbies...funny that!

And I know from experience, after you've been on any forum for a couple of years you get tired of looking at such newbie sections and just focus on the more mainstream ones.

In any case I thought the question could quite have easily come from someone with years experience. I just choose to say I'm a newbie at the start which I think immediately polarised half the population who immediately think all newbies are idiots who want to take short cuts, don't want to take lessons, don't understand the safety risks etc etc.

Freddofrog said...

btw, thanks everyone for the additional pro and cons, expecially from those who have tried it. Obviously it's not as stupid question as some of you so quickly thought and immediately poo-pooed it.

Sorry Freddo, you have no place on this forum. You are far too sensible to post here.

Because when you disconnect your lines, it symbolically means your session is over

Doing lines is bad for kiting.