Is it possible to turn a 4 line c kite into a 5 line. What i'm trying to achieve is to make the kite safer for handlepassing. i would then use my 08 fuel bar on the kite, so when i stuff up and miss the pass the kite depowers.
If i buy a new small kite my wife will desex me, so i'm trying to figure out how to make what i have do what i want
yeah mate, as long as you have a point to connect a 5th line to., such as a eyelet for your pump leash. if you connect it, make your 5th line slack so it wont effect the kite
Ouch !!! All the boys squirmed at the mention of 'desex-ing' ![]()
Back in the day when we all flew four line 'C' kites and they introduced the new fifth line system, a lot of manufacturer's put out retro kits for existing models. It all centred around getting the fifth line right. A 'New' bar that is fifth line ready shouldn't be a problem. The pump leash is the obvious attachment as already stated, but sometimes a 'V' bridle is a better option. Depends on the kite.
As long as you get the length of this line/bridle on the kite right (it basically goes to the centre of the line that would join the two front line wing tip attachments when the kite is fully powered so as not to choke the kite in any way), then the new bar should work fine. Don't forget to put a couple of extra knots in the fifth on the kite for line stretch.
Try the manufacturer; in some cases they released such line lengths...
Oh, and watch out for 'Bow-Ties' !!!
Hope it all works out...
BAP
the kite i'm gonna attempt this with is an 04 best yarga. by bow ties do you mean something to do with the kite or my desexing?
A fews years back I coverted my 04 yarga to 5 lines. I used a couple of old lines, connected it to the pump leash attachment(centre of leading edge). I ran it through the ring attached to one of the front leaders, down past the bar through a stainless steel ring which I connected to the harness loop. I originally had it running through the bar, but it wore to quickly so I ran it past the outside of the bar, and it worked perfectly. Not only does it stop the leash getting twisted around your bar, but it makes relaunching much easier too.
Just make sure there is a liitle bit of slack, so it doesnt affect the performance of the kite.