How dangerous are knots in your lines? (no pun intented...)

That's pretty much it

I bought a second hand 07 naish kite, which so far has been awesome. I'm just a touch concern with the knots in the lines. There is about 4 knots all together.

Should I spring for some new lines?

Also do new lines on an old kite make a difference

Thanks

As Koma said knots will weaken the lines considerably, by up to 50%!!

Knot removal method, no beers required, although you may want to have one to congratulate yourself afterwards!

Get a "ball peen" hammer, find a hard and shiny surface, smooth shiny quarry tiles, polished metal, etc.
Soak the line with a mix of water and detergent, and gently tap the knot with the ball end of the hammer, rotate the knot a bit after each tap with the hammer.
After several or a dozen or so taps the knots should have softened and expanded in size, this is the sign that you have been tapping with the correct force and that the knot is loose enough to be undone by hand.

After you remove the knot completely, inspect the line for excessive "furriness". If there is a lot of furriness then replace the lines, but this method does not damage the line if done carefully and on a shiny smooth surface.

The method is how knots are removed from ropes, but they use much larger hammers, especially on ship sized ropes!!!

Great info the soaking and tapping with BP hammer worked a treat for me.

Further question if I may

Bridal lines I have one connection to kite LE that the outer sheath or layer of the string has come away exposing the inner core of the string that is not damaged.

I have just taped it together for now its on a 14M cab switch is it esential to replace or wait till it breaks completly. can these bridals be purcahsed easily

Cheers and thanks

Kitepower Australia said...

Jared888 said...

Great info the soaking and tapping with BP hammer worked a treat for me.

Further question if I may

Bridal lines I have one connection to kite LE that the outer sheath or layer of the string has come away exposing the inner core of the string that is not damaged.

I have just taped it together for now its on a 14M cab switch is it esential to replace or wait till it breaks completly. can these bridals be purcahsed easily

Cheers and thanks

If you are sure that none of the inner core is damaged, then just tape it up as you have with some waterproof tape and make sure it does not continue to wear through the tape.
This happens most often on the bridles that connect at the LE and that get dragged
when you self launch.
It is possible to purchase a new complete bridle, but not many dealers will have them in stock. It is much easier to make a new bridle leg (we can do this for any kite)

Thanks will look you up when it come to that but for now cheers for the confidence I will continue to use and be a bit more careful where I launch