supernoodles wrote:
Does the technique differ any for a 5 line bar kite like the Naish Torch? I guess the main 4 lines should all be the same length, but what about the 5th line?
On a 5th line kite I find it easier to stake the bar in the ground (put a screwdriver between the 2 depower lines in front of the bar on a north) and pull on the ends of the lines this way you can see which lines are shorter and by how much. Gives you an idea if you should be stretching or going for a new knot as well.
A word of caution. the 5th can be a bit tricky. On almost all 5 line kites, all lines are the same length. If using the method in the video and looking down the lines you are checking for slack on the 5th ABOVE the Y (closest to the kite). It is ok to have a little slack on the 5th BELOW the Y. The stopper at the Y allows the kite to be tensioned by the 5th even if the 5th is slack below the Y.
Tune the 5th so that all lines are the same length and the 5th is resting on the stopper at the Y. Ignoring a little slack below the Y.
If the the 5th is not against the stopper, the kite will deform in ways it was not designed when depower is pulled. When you pull the depower, a 5th that is too tight below the Y will stay the same length when you pull depower while the front lines get shorter. A 5th that is too LONG below the Y will have no effect on depower as it is already against the stopper and so will get shorter with the front lines as god intended it when depower is pulled.....
This is only valid for an "Active 5th" kite Vegas and Torch and North rebels are active 5th design. Not too sure about others.