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Flexi stack knot

reich@cod.nosc.mil (Ronald S. Reich) writes:
>Sorry  for  butting  in  but I thought this  could  help  in  the 
>discussion.
>[ascii drawing of Double/triple larks-head deleted]
>P.S.   This knot is proposed for use in training Flexifoil  kites 
>when you want the stong line to run the full distance to the  top 
>kite.
I'd say that this is a pretty good proposal Ron.  I've spoken about
techniques for stacking flexies before, but I think I'll pull it all
together now and cover it all.

The flexifoil leaflet suggests making a loop in the train line, pulling
it through the ring and lark's heading onto the spar.  This is not
suitable for large stacks on several counts:
* The full force of the pull of the stack is put to work on cutting the
  line on the front ring.
* To counteract this, you use heavy duty train line, limiting the performance
  of the kite (I used to regularly use 4mm rope)
* The force on the lark's head can be sufficient to snap the end off the spar.

Thus for long trains, you want each kite to be attached on a separate line,
just as Ron proposes.

I have seen Flexifoil UK use a technique very close to Ron's idea.  In
addition, they splice a piece of line from the train line just above the
knot, to run past the lark's head and then back into the train line just
below.  This stops the lark's head from sliding too far and protects the
2000lb spectra from abrasion from the spar.  

Personally, I tie a figure-of-eight knot in the train line as a stop,
and tie a simple lark's head.  I make the loop as small as possible, to
keep the stack flying more as a unit.  I tie the knot slightly differently,
so that the knot of the loop in the middle of the lark's head, so that it
is easier to attach the foil.

Andrew
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