ideas on changing to 5th line???

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myes myes

223 posts

myes myes

WA, 223 posts

15 Feb 2006 11:09pm

hi im 52kgs and got a LF 8m spectrum II and its perfect for 15-18 knots but thats a very skinny wind range and ive been told adding a 5th line can dramaticly open that window.
so i was wondering if anyone could tell me how to change to 5th line ( ive got the standerd LF powerlock bar), or how much it costs, or just your upinions on what to do.
cheers Leo

azza

1338 posts

azza

1338 posts

16 Feb 2006 7:15am

G'day (myes)2,

adding a 5th line wont AFAIK add any range to a kite, it will allow you to trim the kite down in it's upper range though... that is, when the wind is high, pulling the LE down will depower the kite. For this you will need a mini-cleat on the fifth, but if your kite has such a narrow range now it propably isn't worth the bother.

To extend your range, for the kite you have, getting a bigger board is probably your best bet. Big boards are relatively cheap nowadays too. (Wanna buy one?) Or, try reducing the drag on your current board, take the fins off in low winds. Try it.

jan

1119 posts

jan

WA, 1119 posts

16 Feb 2006 11:56am

ive put a 5th line on a 16m kite that helped its turning hugely, it probably helped its wind range but we are talking like a knot either side

dialing in your kite and board skills is the way to go. even at your weight you should have a reasonable wind range on any kite.

likuid

QLD

330 posts

likuid

QLD, 330 posts

16 Feb 2006 6:41pm

im 60kgs and i've held my 8m kite in up to 25 gusting to 30 thats not very comfortable but.. i can hold my 12m up to about 22 knots too

so as you get better you'll be able to hold it down for longer

smiley

59 posts

smiley

WA, 59 posts

17 Feb 2006 7:26pm

To get a better wind range try a slingshot octane you will see a massive change in your kiting. I can hold my 12 meter from 15knots to 35knots and i have been kiting for 7 months. I now have a 16 meter for more power and lift I can now jump around 15 to 20 feet.

myes myes

223 posts

myes myes

WA, 223 posts

17 Feb 2006 7:42pm

thanx for all the info but i still want to change to fifth line for safety and realaunching, so does anyone have any ideas or info on how to change?

cheers, Leo

windy

42 posts

windy

WA, 42 posts

17 Feb 2006 10:22pm

Hi Myes Myes, I'm a bit heavier at 76kg

I was riding the 8 LF S2 at Safety Bay t'day - check the wind graphs more than 10 knots range and was always completely comfortable (could have used my 12) (board 128 x 40).

I would recommend the 5th line, I converted all my kites 8, 12 & 17 the bar complete with lines is about 400 bucks. Recovery from a throw to leash takes about 40 seconds, I kite when I want and can easily self launch and self land (no knots, or pull) using the fifth.

I don't reckon it has naff to do with range of the kite - what you do with the board and kite will dictate the range to a large degree IMHO. The increased safety alone is worth it.

Just do it!

gasman

320 posts

gasman

WA, 320 posts

17 Feb 2006 10:32pm

Hi Leo
The sad reality is that a 5th line only offers real depower advantage when your kite is built for it. Yes you can take your kite to a sailmaker and have the 5th line attached. This will give you the ability to drop it and have the kite turn belly up, plus have the benefit of relaunch. But you will get little impact on depowering and improved upwind performance.

How do I know this?
I retro fitted a 5th line on my 05 Fuels. The effect was much as stated above.
Now I have changed to the 06 model, which was built from the ground up as a 5 line kite. The difference in depower and upwind perf. is amazing.

If you can manage it, get rid of your old kite, upgrade to a current model, save yourself the hastle, and you'll get something that actually works.

jan

1119 posts

jan

WA, 1119 posts

18 Feb 2006 12:49am

to 'upgrade' your setup to a 5th line you have a couple choices:

a) go buy a new bar and lineset and dial it in for your kite

b) go buy an 'upgrade' kit like the naish shift kit or the gaastra addon or whatever other brands have out there and retrofit it to your existing bar. this usually means replacing the centre lines, powerstrap and chicken loop.

c) buy a line, connect it from the top of your kite to a ~1cm ring, buy some good spectra leader and run that from the ring and through your chicken loop hole to another ring

if your not used to tuning a kite, it may be easiest to buy a new bar and worry about just tuning stuff that should be exactly the same lengths etc.... both the naish shift style and running your own 5th can be a bit frustrating

myes myes

223 posts

myes myes

WA, 223 posts

20 Feb 2006 7:35pm

thanks alot jan, ill think that over, but does any one know of any 6-7m kites with fifth line in good cond?

if u no of anything like that please email me or reply to this post thanks.

cheers Leo

myes myes

223 posts

myes myes

WA, 223 posts

21 Feb 2006 8:05pm

any one at all?

azza

1338 posts

azza

1338 posts

24 Feb 2006 2:42pm

quote:
Originally posted by myes myes

any one at all?

try posting in the "wanted" section; ppl looking to buy and sell there.

elizabethb

QLD

2081 posts

elizabethb

QLD, 2081 posts

24 Feb 2006 11:16pm

Contact Moti Levy about your 5th line conversion questions and set-up. He deals with professional 5th line conversion and will do it for you. Send him a line, and see what he says, and he will give you a quote.

He's located Tweed Heads South NSW, but couriers anywhere from my knowledge.

Fair prices, and quick service

[email protected]

Highly recommended

myes myes

223 posts

myes myes

WA, 223 posts

24 Feb 2006 9:55pm

thanks alot

Emu

NSW

24 posts

Emu

NSW, 24 posts

25 Feb 2006 7:57pm

I set a 5th for my LF 17. It's great but it took a bit of doing. I did it by copying a mate's arrangement and learning how to splice spectra. It cost nix.

I'd suggest find someone who you can copy off. If you are on the Central Coast NSW, give me a shout. Alternatively, I remember kiteforum.com had some links to a couple of "how to" sites.

Whatever you do, don't put too much tension on the 5th. It buggers up the geometry of the kite.

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