5th Line Setup: for easy
snow relaunching
Due to the low resistance
offered by snow, it is nearly impossible to get a kite over 12
meters to flip on its back to relaunch, as you would easily do
on the water. However, a simple way to overcome this problem
is to add a 5th- line setup to your kite. Most
2003 kites come with attachment points already sewn into the ends
of battens 2 and 4 of a 5 batten kite. By pulling on this
5th line you will actually cause the kite to fly backwards
in a “reverse launch”. This will allow you to
get the kite into the air, then by releasing the line you will
be able to steer it upwards, back to the neutral position.
Get ready for some serious pull because this sends the kite straight
through the power zone.
- To set up an extra
line, you need to first make sure that you have something to
attach a V-shaped bridle to.
Most 2002 and almost all 2003 kites have a sewn in attachment
point near the tips of the two largest outside struts. (Note: if your kites does not have
these attachment points, you can take it to a sail shop to have
them sew some loops to the trailing edge of your kite for about
$20. Keep in mind that if it rips out, your warranty will probably
be voided.)
- Once you
have an attachment point, make a V-shaped bridle that connects
to each loop and extends toward the center of the kite. Make
the point of the "V" even with the tips of the kite.
It makes a fairly shallow "V" which pulls the struts
inward, but it still works. At this length, the fifth-line will
be the same length as your steering lines, which leaves it at
the same spot on your bar when you wind your lines up.
Now place a small metal rig or pulley (don’t
want a lot of weight to pull on the trailing edge of the kite)
on the V-line and use a figure-eight knot to connect it to both
attachment points.
- Using thick leader
line (for grip and safety), make about a 6 foot length and attach
it to the same point where your middle lines meet into your
bar setup. If you have a Naish bar with the new
clip safety system, the right
silver extension line at the trim strap is not used. You can give it a use by running the
leader line through it and putting a plastic stopper at the
end of it like with the safety system.
Therefore, to reverse launch you will
reach up just past the trim strap and grab the plastic stopper
to shorten the 5th line or the leader line itself.
- Run a length of line from the leader to the V-shaped
bridle pulley. Make a loop so that you can attach it with a
lark's head on both ends. Adjust the length so that the line
is more slack than your steering lines. You don't want it to
interfere with the way the kite was designed to steer. It may
take some fiddling. Don't cut it too short before you are sure
that the length is correct. You can use 200 lb. Spectra line
since it doesn't need to be as strong as your steering lines.
