QLD
58 posts
Got my kite last week, a 2011 liquid force envy 12m.
Very new to the sport and still learning just the getting up on the board bit. I've got a mate at the same level so we're going out together and spotting each other (and recovering the board for each other when we come off).
I'm kiting at Sandgate in Qld, so when the tide is out we've got about 100m of beach to cross to get to the water. We went out yesterday, inflated the kite on the shore and carried it out to the waters edge to rig up and launch. The wind was gusting around 20 knots SE.
By the time we had gotten to the waters edge the kite lines had been whipping around themselves and had gotten into the worst ungodly tangled knots I've ever seen. It took probably 15 - 20 minutes for us to untangle each of them to rig up.
Also, when we landed the kite and de-rigged and walked back across the beach to shore, by the time we'd gotten back the lines had knotted again. Not so bad this time as my mate had tied a loose loop into the lines, but still difficult to untangle.
Talking to another relative newb on shore and he'd not had the same problem or seen it before.
Does anyone else have this problem, and what is the best way to avoid it?
VIC
10 posts
Don't set up your lines til you get to the waters edge
VIC
147 posts
same goes for packing up. pack up your lines first.
QLD
58 posts
We did not rig up the bar until we got to waters edge. I'm talking about the kite lines - the ones on the kite.
QLD
409 posts
Hmmm, not sure Floater
Never seen this before either but suggest you consider the way you carry your kite maybe?
I usually pump up exactly where I'm going to launch (if possible) and once you turn your leading edge down and put a bit of sand on the centre panels, the kite bridles are in the lee of the kite therefore don't blow around.
I also connect my centre lines before un wrapping the lines from the bar (after reading this on another thread) It helps reduce tangles while unwrapping.
Haven't flown the Envy but the bridles don't look much different in length to my Switchblade or any other kite for that matter.
Sorry couldn't be more helpful
QLD
58 posts
Thanks Gateman
It's too far a walk to bring the pump back in to pump up out at the waters' edge.
As for carrying the kite, I'm turning it over upside down (same side up as when pumping up) and walking facing into the wind. This keeps the kite manageable with one hand and off the ground. But the bridles are trailing the kite and flapping about in the wind.
And nice tip about the centre lines, I'll try that next time.
NSW
18 posts
When you take your kite down after a session, hook the centre and steering lines from each side together just before you roll up the kite (on Cab kites they are opposite "sex" so link together, not sure of other brands). Then they should never get tangled, either during packing down or setting up next time. Only unhook them when you have the bar ready.
QLD
701 posts
What the hell i do exactly the same as you for years never had a tangle .
Lets recap ----pump up kite ,trow pump in bag pick kite up upside down with tips in air , walk like 200-300 meters to waters edge kite floating with one hand on leading edge ,turn kite over so leading edge down kick some sand on it , grab bar and conect lines "this is were you say having trouble all kite lines not bar lines are tangle " if so i have never had it ever . So you then get your bar lines and conect up and away you go . Is this correct
or as above instead of kite lines your bar lines are tangled . That is an easy one if is the case of bar lines tangled . Next time ya out leave bar lines attached after landing kite then roll your lines up while it is conected then only disconect when you are close to kite less tangles then .Make sure you use the little hair band things elastic cord over the lines on each end of the bar to hold the lines on bar or a couple of half hitchs .
happy winds
QLD
6525 posts
I'm having trouble picturing 15-20kts tangling a bridle at all let alond badly, but then my kites only have small bridles maybe envy ones are particularly long.
QLD
58 posts
Thanks guys
@S2A
I set up and carried out as you describe. Bridle lines tangled, not bar lines.
Took quite some time to untangle to be able to connect up the bar lines.
The bridles on the Envy are quite long and yes, shbrown, I was thinking I'd try mating them up each side first next time. This should at least stop some of the tangling, they should only be able to twist around.
And I'll try keeping the centre lines connected till I get back to the foreshore next time too.
Hoping for some wind this weekend!
Cheers
QLD
1293 posts
Some kites like the Naish Park have small velcro keepers for the ends of your bridle.
Another option is to connect the front bridle to the back bridle/pigtail and only disconnect them when your connecting your lines.
QLD
58 posts
I like the idea of the velcro. I'll try that myself with some stick-on if joining up the front/back pigtails doesn't help.
VIC
5127 posts
At the end of each session link the back pigtail to the front. That stops them flapping around.
Make sure the loose ends of the bridles are on inside the ktie and not dangling loose. That stops them catching on bushes and sticks.
Fly your kite by the bridles and not from the leading edge. That keeps the kite up out of the dirt and away from shrubs. If the wind is light you can rest the centre strut on your shoulder or head or elbow and keep the kite up. If you are walking downwind you can tug on the bridle to pump the kite up into the air.
If you are walking up a hill or dune think about the compression of the wind over the dune. You can use it to lift the kite up as you walk.
VIC
382 posts
Could always just attach your bar lines with them still wound up before you walk out. Then when you get there take them off, run them and go. When you come in wind your lines up on your bar but leave them attached to the kite, no tangles.
