Kite Lines
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Kite line comes in many different sizes,
diameter, lengths, weights, and construction. Choosing the right line for you
kite is almost as important as choosing the kite itself. If your line is too
small it may break, causing you to damage or lose your kite, or causing injury
to yourself or other around you, or in the worst case...both. If you have a line
that is too large, your kite may not respond correctly causing you to lose
control of your kite, or your kite may not fly at all. The construction of the
line itself is also very important. Different types of line will have different
characteristics, some will stretch and stay stretched, others will stretch and
rebound back to their original shape, some are slippery and will slide when
twisted around themselves, some may not slide at all. Longer lines can slow down
the response of your kite, making it easier for some people to control their
kites. Longer kite lines can also increase the area of the power window for
traction kites. Shorter lines can make your respond much quicker and can get
your kite out of the power faster.
Types Of Kite Lines
There are many different types of kite line used
in today's kites. We will cover three of the most common lines in this section.
Each of these three types have their own characteristics that make them best at
what they are used for. Each type is listed below with their good points and bad
points. By using the list below, you will be able to choose a line that will
work best for you.
Things To Be Aware Of
With Kite Lines
Sleeves & Knots
As mentioned above, knots in your kite line can reduce
the strength of your line. If you need to tie a knot in you line or re-sleeve
your line, the diagram on the right will show you the proper way to do it. The
most important thing to remember when tying a knot in your line is to make sure
there are no twists in the lines and that both ends of the line are perfectly
parallel throughput the knot (none of the lines run over the other).
It is a good idea to check your lines for line stretch from time to time. An
easy way to do this is to stake your lines at one end with a kite stake or a
long screwdriver. Make sure both lines (or sets) are equal on the staked end,
then move to the other end of your lines and firmly pull on the lines and see if
they stretch to the same length. If you find that one line is shorter than the
other, you can undo the knot on the longer line, slide the sleeve up the line
(if your line is sleeved) to the appropriate point equal to the shorter line and
then loop and re-tie the knot and cut off the leftover line. Remember to leave
enough extra length in your loop to make up the length of line used by the knot
(approximately 1/2" of length is used in the knot depending on the line
thickness).
Line Lengths
Different lengths of line will change the
performance of your kite. Longer lines generally have more stretch and drag than
shorter lines. Longer kite lines can slow down the response of your kite, making
turns respond slower and take up more area to complete. Kite speed will appear
to be slower on longer lines. This is caused by your kite travelling in a longer
arc through the power window. For example: Take a 12" string and tie it around a
cork and then spin it around above your head, the cork will spin at a very fast
speed. Now take a 5 foot long string and tie it around the cork and do the same.
The cork will actually cover more distance, but will appear to be travelling at a
slower speed than on the shorter string. The arc on the longer string (where the
cork is located) is greater than the arc created by the shorter sting.
Power kite fliers will usually use longer lines than stunt kite fliers. The
longer the lines are on a kite, the longer the arc is and the larger the power
window is, creating more useable power for the kite (see the diagrams on
the right). Power kite fliers will usually use a line length of 75' to 150',
depending on the wind conditions. In
stronger winds, shorter lines
will allow you
to get your kite out of the power faster and help you maintain control of a
larger kite. In mild
wind, longer lines will let you keep your kite in
the wind window longer, creating more power for smaller kites. In some cases you
may not need to purchase a different size kite to be able to fly, just a
different length line set.
Stunt kite fliers will usually use shorter lines. Shorter lines can improve the
performance of your kite. Turns will be quicker and take much less room to
complete. Speeds will be faster and responses to your controls will be more
accurate and precise. Line drag and line stretch will be minimal. Stunt kite
fliers will usually use line lengths of 50' to 100' in length. If you are new to
this sport, I would recommend a line set of 100' for a stunt kite and not less
than 100' for a power kite, as you become more familiar with your kite you can
purchase other line sets of different lengths to find the best one for your
style. If you have a line set that is damaged, you may be able to use the
undamaged section of those lines to make a shorter set or lengthen an existing
line set, giving you even more flexibility
Connecting Your Line -
Tips & Tricks
Most pre-made line sets will have loops tied into
the ends of the line. These loops are there to give you an easy way to connect
and disconnect your lines from your kite and handles. The loops are designed
to be used with a "Larks Head". The three diagrams on the right will show you
the way to use a "Larks Head" to attach your lines.
Larks Head knots are the ideal knot to use with your lines because it is very
easy to use and also very easy to remove. A simple tug on the knot and the Larks
Head will loosen, allowing you to remove your lines from your kite and handles
for storage.
Some people will attach a length of line to the end of their handles for
adjustment purposes. This line is normally only attached to the handles and used
for the bottom lines or "brake" lines of a quad line kite. The rope is tied off
with knots in 1 1/2" to 2" increments. By simply moving the connecting point of
the brake lines up or down the knots in the attached line, you can easily adjust
your brakes on your kite for the current wind conditions. Moving the attachment
point towards the handles will shorten your brake lines, giving your kite less
speed. Moving the attachment point outwards towards the kite will lengthen your
brake lines giving your kite more speed.
This trick when used with the Larks Head will make adjustments to your brake
lines very easy and quick. Below is a diagram of the rope with knots at 2" inch
increments. To attach your adjustment rope to your handles, simply tie a loop
into one of the ends of the rope (as shown above in the sleeve and knot section)
and then attach it to your handles with its own Larks Head. You will need to
adjust your lines for the correct length after installing the adjustment rope to
your handles as it will lengthen the lines it is used on. If your lines are not
equal, you may not be able to properly control your kite. In most cases, an
additional length of rope will need to be added to your top lines that is equal
to the overall length of rope used on the bottom lines. Attach your lines to the
connecting point closest to the handles on both the top and bottom lines to
start with, then move the bottom lines out until you reach the desired position
for optimum control.
Line Weight
Line weight is the amount of stress a line can
handle before breaking. Power kites will require a line weight greater than that
of a stunt kite. The larger the weight number on your line, the more pressure
your line can handle before breaking. A 200# line can handle 200 pounds of
pressure per foot per line. A quad line kite using 200# line can handle a total
of 800 pounds of pressure per foot (the average male weighs only 190 pounds).
Most power kites will require line weights starting at 200# and can go up to
800#. Stunt kites will usually use line weights of 50# to 100#. Single line
kites will usually only require line up to 50#. Line weights are selected
depending on the weight of the user, the style of the kite, and the size of the
kite. Usually, the larger the kite, the heavier the line will need to be.
Quad line power kites can have multiple line weights in a set. Usually the brake
lines (bottom lines) are not used nearly as much as the upper lines (control
lines) and can be substantially less weight. A common set for a 4 meter quad
line power kite could be 400# lines on the top and 200# lines on the bottom.
All kites are made differently. Check with the manufacturer of your kite to
determine the proper line weight for your kite. If in doubt, a line set that is
too heavy is always better than a line set that is too light. A line set that is
too heavy will only slow your kite down with line drag, a line set that is too
light will break.