flying lines?

• Subject: flying lines?
• From: sasaki@netop3.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki)
• Date: Sat, 15 Jan 1994 20:47:54 GMT

There are a few companies that make Spectra fishing line as well. As
Brooks says, Kevlar can be a bit tricky to work with.

The biggest difference between fishing line and kite line is the
actual breaking strength.  Fishing line is usually rated at it's
maximum breaking strength, so when it says 80 pound, it means that it
will test out to be no greater than 80 pounds, usually a pound or two
lighter. This is especially true of fishing line that is IGFA,
International Game Fishing Association, rated. 

Kite line is usually rated at it's minimum breaking strength, so when
it says 80 pounds, it will usually break above 80 pounds.  An example
of this is Top Shelf line. Fran Gramkowski says that his 135 pound
line actually is closer to 150. Other lines may have similar
characteristics.

Fishing line is less expensive that "kite line". I bought some 80
pound Izoline Spectra on a 500 yard spool. This was about 10 percent
less expensive than a 1000 foot spool of U.S. Line Spectra. I haven't
noticed the difference in breaking strength and have had no problems
with the Izoline.

I've probably mentioned this before, but one folks here in New England
routinely flies his large single line kites on braided Kevlar,
especially during "kite festivals". He isn't doing this to be
anti-social, but he is insuring that his kite won't be cut out of the
sky by a child's kite flying on cotton or monofilament line.


-- 
Marty Sasaki            Harvard University           Sasaki Kite Fabrications

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