Date: Mon, 1 May 1995 11:23:48 -1000 From: jburka@Glue.umd.edu (Jeffrey C. Burka) Message-Id: <3o3jh4$n42@geog20.umd.edu> Organization: Project Glue, University of Maryland, College Park Subject: Re: Quadrifoil question.... In article <3o38kb$meh@kane.ico.net>, Timothy Hague wrote: >The kite has nine lines each side which connect to the top (steering?) lines >which are connected to me. At the point where the steering lines connect to >this "harness" there is another line which connects the left side to the right >side (about a foot long) that keeps the steering lines at a constant >distance apart. The suggestion was that when I get proficient with this >kite, to cut that line, thereby seperating the left "harness" from the right >one. Now, my question before I do any irreversible cutting is, what will >this action do for the handling of this kite? Should I or shouldn't I cut >it? Dunno if this is in the manual for Papagallo-made kites, but the Kite Innovations manual also suggested cutting this line. Basically that line forces the canopy to make an arch instead of allowing the face of the kite to be flat (is this a crown rigging on a parfoil, or is a crown rigging arched in the other direction to provide dihedral?). Basically, cutting the line improves light wind performance, but at a cost, at least in my opinion. I find that without the line, the kite, particularly in stronger winds, has more of a tendency to fold up around the center, and for the center cells to collapse/close. Most of the time, I'd rather have the thing attached. Still, there's no question in my mind that the kite flies in lower winds without that little limiter. Of course, the obvious solution is to make it removable. Measure the line, then go ahead and snip it in the middle. Tie a largish knot on each side, 4 inches in from the cut. Now take a new piece of line and tie an overhand loop on either end such that the new piece is just over 8" long between the ends of the loops. Larkshead this onto the knots you tied in the tails left from the old limiting line. Presto-chango, you can attach/detach the line at will. This will also let you experiment with different amounts of curve in the canopy. I had one setting I really liked, but lost the little piece of string I used to set the arch and haven't bothered playing around much with it since then. Jeff -- |Jeffrey C. Burka | Pithy, insightful quote to be inserted | | | when one occurs to me. *If* one occurs | |jeffy@glue.umd.edu | to me. | = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 1 May 1995 16:23:08 -1000 From: windwiz@rain.org (Dan Rubesh) Message-Id: <3o452c$btr@coyote.rain.org> Organization: the RAIN Network Subject: Re: Quadrifoil question.... In article <3o38kb$meh@kane.ico.net>, Timothy Hague wrote: >[lurk off] > >Hi all, [deletia] >The kite has nine lines each side which connect to the top (steering?) lines >which are connected to me. At the point where the steering lines connect to >this "harness" there is another line which connects the left side to the right >side (about a foot long) that keeps the steering lines at a constant >distance apart. The suggestion was that when I get proficient with this >kite, to cut that line, thereby seperating the left "harness" from the right >one. Now, my question before I do any irreversible cutting is, what will >this action do for the handling of this kite? Should I or shouldn't I cut >it? > >I hope this is all clear enough. > >Thanx >Tim It's all quite clear (at least to me), Tim.. As I recall the line in question is 16" and spans the innermost left and right steering lines.. I was unsure whether to make the final cut as well, so what I did was to (a) measure and record the distance of this 'link line' and (b) cut the line about an inch from either end of its attachment point, tying an overhand knot at each bitter end. It's then a simple procedure to larkshead in a replacement link line of 80# Dacron that's made the proper length with overhand loops at either end if you want to go back to the original setup.. I usually set up quads for my customers in this manner when they're ready to 'cut the cord'.. FWIW, once I made the cut I never found it useful or desirable to go back.. Ob. Disclaimer: I am a stunt kite dealer and carry some of the above mentioned product(s). As such, my opinions may tend to be somewhat subjective. -- Dan Rubesh GO Wind Wizard windwiz@coyote.rain.org FLY A P.O. Box 5747 danr@crash.cts.com SPORT KITE Ventura, CA 93005 (805) 659-5769 (voice & fax) T.B.N.K. Member: AKA & KTA = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 1 May 1995 08:17:47 -1000 From: thague@vdbs.com (Timothy Hague) Message-Id: <3o38kb$meh@kane.ico.net> Organization: Visual Database Systems Subject: Quadrifoil question.... [lurk off] Hi all, I have a Quadrifoil 2.5. When I bought it the guy at the shop (Windborne, Monterey, CA) made a suggestion which I will attempt to explain. Forgive me if the terminology is a bit screwed... I'm still fairly new at this. Anyone with a quad should understand... I hope... The kite has nine lines each side which connect to the top (steering?) lines which are connected to me. At the point where the steering lines connect to this "harness" there is another line which connects the left side to the right side (about a foot long) that keeps the steering lines at a constant distance apart. The suggestion was that when I get proficient with this kite, to cut that line, thereby seperating the left "harness" from the right one. Now, my question before I do any irreversible cutting is, what will this action do for the handling of this kite? Should I or shouldn't I cut it? I hope this is all clear enough. Thanx Tim thague@vdbs.com Santa Cruz, CA = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Wed, 3 May 1995 08:47:17 -1000 From: coreykite@aol.com (Coreykite) Message-Id: <3o8j3l$mn7@newsbf02.news.aol.com> Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Subject: Re: Quadrifoil question.... The line connecting the left and right harnesses keep beginners from overcontrolling. Cut them when you wish to have better control. They are just pieces of line. You may add them back if not to your liking. Many are unlucky to have no access to knowledge, just product. You, however, have the resources of one of the best retail establishments in the world. (If I may be permited to say so...) If you have questions, ask us and we are more than happy to explain in more detail just what your option are. Too much in the beginning can confuse some, so we cover most highlights and await your continued curiosity. Fly or Die! aoxomoxoa coreykite@aol.com = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 4 May 1995 19:09:53 -1000 From: drumurphy@aol.com (DruMurphy) Message-Id: <3ocbv1$lmi@newsbf02.news.aol.com> Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Subject: Re: Quadrifoil question.... CUT THE LINE!!! You will be happy you did - PS- my small Quad is still (after 3 years) one of my favorite all around kites - McGhee = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 8 May 1995 06:39:29 -1000 From: thague@vdbs.com (Timothy Hague) Message-Id: <3olhg1$1uu@kane.ico.net> Organization: Visual Database Systems Subject: Re: Quadrifoil question.... DruMurphy (drumurphy@aol.com) wrote: : CUT THE LINE!!! You will be happy you did - : PS- my small Quad is still (after 3 years) one of my favorite all around : kites - : McGhee Okay, yesterday I took the quad out in nice constant +/-6mph wind, flew it for about an hour, CUT THE LINE and flew it for another 2! It seemed far more responsive and faster, but experimentation will show. Thanx all for your advice, Tim thague@vdbs.com Santa Cruz, CA = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =