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Kite diving to the left question

 
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Nehersy

Since 05 Oct 2014
19 Posts
Walla Walla
 



PostFri Jul 07, 17 9:43 am    Kite diving to the left question Reply with quote

I am perplexed by what happened last time I launched my kite. It was a 17 M Turbine and once I got the kite launched it kept diving to the left. I had to crank my bar all the way to the right just to keep it left of 12 o'clock and not diving into the ground. I am a newer to kiting and am able to stay up wind efficiently but have never had this happen. Once I got the kite on the ground and was packing my stuff up, all the lines seemed to be connected properly but i was very flustered and could of seen this incorrectly.

I understand this happened because i did something wrong, I just can't seem to pin point it. Any ideas?

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Johnb

Since 02 Aug 2010
494 Posts

Obsessed



PostFri Jul 07, 17 9:51 am     Reply with quote

Sounds like you need to tune your bar. You could have a line that has been stretched.

I just had to tune a bar for the same reason.

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ldhr

Since 21 Jul 2009
1470 Posts
Hood River
XTreme Poster



PostFri Jul 07, 17 9:56 am     Reply with quote

There's many issues that could cause this.
1. check your lines to make sure they are all the same length. they stretch over time.
lay your lines out and attach the ends to a bar or stick or something stationary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddc0mFdltW4

2. it's possible your bridle was tangled and causing one side to be shorter than the other.
only way to check for sure is to rig again, double checking the bridle and comparing
one side to the other.

3. are you using a slingshot bar.
make sure the safety line that attaches to the webbing/ring is fully pulled up thru the
swivel. it has a small knot and it needs to be pulled hard to get it thru the swivel and
set to the proper position.

4. i had a similar issue the other day - turned out I never opened one of my struts and it was never filled with air.

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Dern

Since 11 Jul 2010
544 Posts
Vancouver, WA
Addicted



PostFri Jul 07, 17 10:02 am     Reply with quote

Edit: Couple people beat me to it.

I'm guessing one of two things:

1) Your lines are not even in length (uneven line stretch)

or

2) One of the bridles may have been inverted/tangled/not fully extended - can happen on many kite models with pulleys and results in a "shorter bridle" on one side of the kite.

From your description I am guessing option #2. Uneven lines typically aren't as extreme as the imbalance you're describing.

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bigjohn

Since 13 Mar 2012
663 Posts

Addicted



PostFri Jul 07, 17 3:59 pm     Reply with quote

Bridle / kite attachment points likely flipped around each other creating a "knot" and thus making one line (temporarily) shorter than the other(s).

Always remember you can steer your kite with your steering lines if the bar isn't working.

Simply grab the outside line in the direction you want to steer your kite and pull it down until your kite turns. If required you can let go of the bar completely and simply hold onto the two outside lines to steer.

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Ho-Toe

Since 30 Apr 2014
231 Posts
pissed-off science guy like Bill Nye
CO2 quantifier & upwelling specialist



PostFri Jul 07, 17 5:57 pm     Reply with quote

bigjohn wrote:
Always remember you can steer your kite with your steering lines if the bar isn't working.

Simply grab the outside line in the direction you want to steer your kite and pull it down until your kite turns. If required you can let go of the bar completely and simply hold onto the two outside lines to steer.


That's wonderfully useful advice. Thank you for the reminder.

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Nehersy

Since 05 Oct 2014
19 Posts
Walla Walla
 



PostSat Jul 08, 17 5:07 am     Reply with quote

Thank you all for the replies. This helps me better understand what I did wrong. I'm leaning towards the bridal issue but will check my lines this weekend and make sure one is not stretched. Happy kiting!

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Nak

Since 19 May 2005
4199 Posts
Camas
XTreme Poster

CGKA Member


PostSat Jul 08, 17 7:24 am     Reply with quote

Almost certainly a wrapped bridal. On the Turbine that can be difficult to see and is easily missed on launching. That's why it is extremely important that the guy launching you checks your bridals to make sure they are clear before releasing the kite. Unfortunately these days launchers often skip that step.

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sleestack

Since 07 Dec 2006
181 Posts
Land of the Lost
Stoked



PostTue Jul 11, 17 2:06 pm    Re: Kite diving to the left question Reply with quote

[quote="Nehersy"] it kept diving to the left. [/quote]


[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EwViQxSJJQ[/youtube]

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