This is probably one of the age old debates, but please give it another go....I have been flying 5-line kites for the past three years. I honestly feel they have slowed my learning because I am reluctant to really go-for-it on new tricks. I have swung under the kite stalling it in such a way it inverts and tangles into the fifth line. When I used to drop my old c-kites I never worried about relaunching them, but with my 5-line kites there is always the chance I may be swimming in or being blown out to sea. It has happened probably 50 times in the past three years despite trying all the advice such as throwing my iron heart release as soon as I realize the kite is going to fall forward and roll. I think 5-line kites fly extremely well, but they are not forgiving of errors or stalls. I want to learn new tricks which means I am going to drop the kite trying. I may go a couple months without a 5-line tangle, but then I frustratingly get two in a single day. Frankly, I am sick of 5-line tangles, so I tried some Cabrinhas out this month. I didn't realize that bridled kites also have some issues with tangling in such a way re-launch is tough. Also, I broke a pulley on the bridle and was stranded on the water.

IMO, when the fifth line wraps the around the kite you're screwed, but if the bridle tangles, there is a chance another kiter can aid you on the water by flipping the bridle off the kite. True?

I want a kite I can be confident in, one I can be sure to be able to re-launch, so that I have the confidence to try bigger risk tricks. I am buying new kites this year and I am deciding whether to finally give up on the 5th line and go to a bridled kite (or other suggestion?). My question for this forum topic is what do you guys think is the safest system for not becoming stranded out on the water due the kite being stuck on the water in a way it cannot be re-launched?

I ride bridled kites (Cab xbow) and haven't had many issues with them. If I do stall the kite and have had the bridle wrap around a wing tip, but I can usually undo it myself by pulling the lines in a way that moves the kite around the way I need to in order to undo the tangle and then pull the kite back around again to relaunch the kite. If the kite is really causing some problems which has been rare, another kiter can come along grab the bridle and pull it around onto the correct side as well like you mention.

I've only ever not been able to "fix" the tangles on my kite once, and that was because one of the strut hoses came undone and I didn't have everything clamped off, so my kite lost all of it's air. That was my fault for not clamping the strut hoses though.

I can almost always sort out a bridle tangle with some line yanking and I'm good to go om my OR Rises. 5th line wraps usually meant session over.

I've been amazed at the mess that my kites have gotten in and bounced back.

I always get my wrapped bridles sorted out and at least flyable. I fly and rep RRDs. As for 5th lines, you can attach a spanline to help avoid 5th line wrap. Check out the old rrd type waves for an example. At least it'll save you some scratch while you're making your decision.

Thats cause you are on suicide mode .... ANY 5th line is worth a shit on suicide ....




Simple solution . crash the kite again holding only one line ( better the opposite of the tangled )



Not really , unless you buddy has a very good level cause it is not easy to do .





Yeah , try , try and try as many kites as you can .... or get yourself some oldies C kites if they worked for you ..... they are dirt cheap nowadays

Saludos


Franz

mesaman, i feel with you! i hate tangled 5. line! this is why i´m looking for a well working 4 line-sytem...

Depends on what you are doing. If you are hooked in then it doesn't make a difference - if you are unhooked riding suicide will help reduce 5th line wraps.

Just get a bar with a releasable 5th line (eg Slingshot wave grenade). That way, if you do get the fifth wrapped around the kite you can release it, ride back to shore on 4 lines, land the kite and then reconnect it. Simples.

Unless you are flying Norths. the 5th line is necessary to support the leading edge. Without the 5th the kite does not hold enough of its shape to fly it back to shore. After being with North since the original Rhino I'm done with them. If you ride waves the fifth is just a major pain.

I am going to go out a fishing trip here and say try a foil kite such as the FS Pulse 2. I think I feel PMU nibbling

I have been used FS kites for almost 3 years and have had nothing but good times. The kites perform great and do not have the same issues that you mentioned with 5 line kites even though mine have a 5th line for a safety and bridle tangles are almost non existent unless you leave the kite on the ground flapping around for some time. Self launching, self landing, water relaunching, and water fixing the kite is a super easy. I once stuffed a jump in 30 knots on an 8m and got a twist in the kite. I was able to pull the kite into me, as the kite lays down nice and flat on the water and does not sink like some try to suggest, fix the twist, let the kite go, relaunch the kite, and continue the session.

Ohh. I think I hooked PMU. Here he comes.