Sleeves for shortening kite lines

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Aug 16, 10 2:40 pm **Sleeves for shortening kite lines**

Soon it will be time to go out and play in the mega gusty nuktacular fall winds and if you have a spare bar around, might as well drink some beer and make a short line set. And, lest you didn't know, you need a dacron sleeve to tie new pigtails cause you can't tie knots in spectra or it will melt and break under pressure.

Just wanted to throw it out that 2nd Wind has a bunch of line shortening sleeve kits right now and they are a whopping $1. Always good to have some on hand.

I was looking for these things in the spring and could not for the life of me find them. (well, I found one place that had them and they wanted $20 per kit!!!)

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

Dude please don't say Fall!!!

Summer just started!

Andy

Marmot · Since 08 Aug 2007 108 Posts Lyle, WA Stoked

My lines are so short, my forehead hits the leading edge.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Aug 16, 10 5:53 pm

Directions for people with less time..and no sewing machine

1. Cut lines
2.slip through hollow sleeve you just bought
3. Tie figure 8 knot.
4. Go kite

Wear helmet to avoid leading edge injury Smile

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

luke · Since 06 Jul 2005 399 Posts Obsessed

Just a SAFETY note to keep in mind.

Any type of knot that is tied into a line will reduce the strength of that line by a minimum of 25%. With or without a sleeve. Obviously without a sleeve the strength is reduced a lot more than 25%. (this data has been well established, check it if you like). This is why most kiteboarding manufacturers put connection loops in their lines by stitching with sleeves. Of course the best method would be splicing, which a true waterman would use.

So, please consider this if you are thinking of shortening your lines for mega-gusty, high winds, or mega-loops that all put extra load on a line (read: increased chances of breaking a line).

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Aug 17, 10 12:09 pm

Can you splice kite line? You would need a microscopic fid. Nak has probably done it.

I have used the sleeve method for years (with a knot) and never had any problems. I guess if you were worried about it you could use q-line which doesn't need a sleeve and is rated to 600lbs.

Nak · Tue Aug 17, 10 3:57 pm

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

Air Time can stitch your lines together.
They have done two sets of lines for me and they look like they came right from the factory.
A very clean and strong stitch. I never once thought to myself.....gee I hope the stitching I did holds in this 40 mph wind.

Give them a call, they can turn them out pretty darn quickly.

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Aug 17, 10 4:54 pm

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

Campbell · Since 07 Sep 2008 409 Posts Camas, WA Obsessed

Thanks everyone for the posts here, as it's prompted some action on my part. To make sure I'm doing the right thing though, I'll be modifying my 17" bar for a 7m Rev, and I'm 205lbs. What length should I shorten the lines to?

Thanks!

Chooch · Tue Aug 17, 10 6:22 pm

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Aug 18, 10 10:42 am

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 480 Posts Obsessed

even a 3m line difference can feel like a huge change. my short set is just -3m and i've never wanted a greater difference. for me, i would always prefer to be on a smaller kite with medium lines than a bigger kite with shorter lines, but it's nice to have a shorter set for use with your smallest kite on the very windiest days. all of this probably depends on the type of kite as well, and how it flies in general.

Bettyboarder · Thu Aug 19, 10 7:16 am

20m on a 7 Rev are really fun