denisb wrote: ↑Sun May 13, 2018 10:22 pm
Do you know if there are any problems using the bar with Cabrinha kites ? Bunch of people talk about the high-Y setup or the safety system (single line safety) etc. but seems like there is no consensus
Just for definition:
1. High Y - Lines "Y" somewhere about half way up from the bar to the kite. There is a higher strength single flying line (like #600kg) going up to the 2 front lines that connect to the kite. Old Ozone and HQ kites used to have this, at least for foils.
2. Mid Y - Lines "Y" somewhere out of reach, but close enough to the bar that leader line is used instead of a seperate double strength flying line for this short section, around 15ft or possibly shorter. North Quad Control bar, or Best.
3. Low Y - Lines "Y" within reach of the bar, usually at the depower adjustment pulley/ring. The kiter has easy access with a bit of a stretch to both lines. Switch bar is a good example (Controller 2-3-4).
The point at which the "Y" is affects the inward angle that the front lines pull on the kite. This can (I believe) cause some bridal geometry/kite shape issues. Some kites, seem not to be affected to the point where short or extremely long lines would cause a known issue.
Single line safety is not practical with a high "Y" as you wind up with a long safety line running up next to a double strength lower front line - thus you have 2 lines anyway.
Mid "Y" bars typically release the back lines and tension the BOTH front lines. This is not always the case as you can still install a splitter/stopper at the mid "Y" point. This would mean that the kiter would have access to the a front line (pull in one only) for a light wind realunch using one outside line and the opposite inside line.
Low "Y" is more practical for the most common and safest release (so long as the safety front line does not break) as explained above with the splitter/stopper being integrated into a swivel or just a pulley like the new Ozone bar.
I prefer mid "Y" as the leader line is cheaper to replace, and can be armored against abrasion caused by multiple looping of the kite. It is also more reliable as you will not lose the kite if you break the front line that the safety is on. That said, it will not fully depower the kite in all cases and has no predictability as to where the kite will go in shifty/turbulent winds.
Are you talking about functioning safety for release, or kite geometry when the distance from the "Y" to the bridal attachment point is considered?