18 replies to this topic

[Guru4tru]

YOYO Line Control (YES...Dualie talk is permitted here too!)

One of the common problems I have when doing a “YOYO wind-up” is that the line blows around a lot and doesn’t fall straight, some times (most often) falling on the same side of one of the kites leading edges and wrapping around one wing.

I was wonder if anyone has experimented with weighing the line a little bit, close to the kite, with some fishing split shots or those lead “wrap on” sinkers about the shape or size of a match (which would not harm the line). Or maybe a piece of heaver leader line coming off the kite for about 6’ or so…or…something else, maybe, to help keep the line in place as it is wrapping around the kite.

Yeah…I know…more practice-practice-practice! But, I wouldn’t mind some training wheels for awhile, if they are available.

So, has anyone experimented with this…and if so…what were the results? Thanks!

Keep It Up!
Duane

[JoneZ]

Hey Duane.

It's really a matter of the proper slack vs. even right/left tug.
You're giving too much slack if your lines are slopping around.
If your lines wrap on one side of the kite, chances are that you didn't give an even tug for the initial wrap.

If you're still struggling, make yourself some 6ft. leader lines with 150# bridle line. Toss an overhand knot at one end, and an overhand loop at the other -- larkshead that line to your kite, then attach to your line.
The bridle line is heavier, and tends to 'drop' better, making easier wrap ups. Its also a lot more kind on your leading edges when you're wrapped up.
Keep in mind, It adds extra weight to your setup, so its really only effective for medium to higher wind ranges -- low wind, you should be fine with just the kite line itself.

Hope that helps m8.

[Bimi]

Hi Duane,
lead is probably not a good idea as this heavy line will for sure reduce the overall control. As posted above, try to add leader lines of bridle line. I think one can almost neglect the small extra weight.
However, there are more tuning-options. I think your kite has usual yoyo-stoppers attached to the leading edge?

One way to increase your chance to hit the stopper is to add one ore more pairs of "safety stoppers" below the original one, for example made from wire straps. This is often used by LevelOne on their kites, see for example the Pictures Here.

Another modification are roll bars as invented(?) by Tim Benson on his Deepspace. This things make it almost impossible to miss the stoppers. They have some more sideeffects, for example they tighten the sail and prevent it from being wrapped together in multiple yoyos. The drawback is that they add a real ammount of weight to a somewhat unusual area of the sail.

Besides this "hardware" changes, there is another alternative used by Carl Robertshaw which I know as "yoyo-line" or "h-block". Idea is to take some leader lines, wrap them around the sail one time and then add a horizontal connection between those lines on the back of the kite. If this "block" is attached at the right position, it will prevent the lines from sliding down the leading edge. The line is so long, that it does not affect the kite in normal flight. In this case, even normal yoyo-stoppers are not necessary anymore.

Oh, and practice, practice, practice ;-)
Good luck!
Andreas

[Guru4tru]

Thanks SpzO & Bimi,

"It never fails"...if I can think of it or have a problem with it ...someone here has "been there" and has a solution or knows where to find the solution for whatever it is that I'm thinking.

The most important thing I've learned since joining this site is to "ASK" the question "before" I ever get started on any kite project!!
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With that said: I want to put wheels on the one end of my "Rocket Launcher Kite Carrier" any ideas?


Keep It Up!
Duane

[JoneZ]

Oh hey! another option in regards to the leader lines, is to attach a piece of 150# kite line from left leader line to right -- making long enough that it doesn't interrupt normal inputs, but not so loose as to be flopping all over the place (getting caught on the kites tail).
This will keep the lines taught when wrapping up, making sure your lines don't catch below the yoyo stoppers.

Hope that helps.

As for the kite tubes? Maybe a hand cart? LoL

[Baloo]

Maybe adapt a Golf Trolly.

Be especially good if you managed to get one with remote control.

Just imagine the fun you could hav, driving your own personal motorised rocket launcher around!!

[windofchange]

One thing that may help is to put a twist in your lines (loop the kite) before doing a roll-up. This helps keep the lines close to the kite closer together so they don't flail around as much.

[Guru4tru]

windofchange, on 04 January 2010 - 05:22 PM, said:

One thing that may help is to put a twist in your lines (loop the kite) before doing a roll-up. This helps keep the lines close to the kite closer together so they don't flail around as much.

Thanks AWOC, (The best kite place I've ever delt with...you'all are great & thank you!!)
(I'll give that a go tomorrow & see what happens...thanks!)

But, I've solved ALL the problems...check it out!!!

YES!! The addition of a 6 pack cooler to my RocketLauncher/KiteCaddy!!

Keep It Up!
Duane

[JoneZ]

hehe, yeah man, that'll help for sure. lol

I totally forgot about the couple of twists in the line Kent!
Duane, that definitely helps.
I actually tend to fly dual line with a couple twists in the line at all times. I find the kite easier to control.

[Guru4tru]

JoneZ, on 04 January 2010 - 05:49 PM, said:

hehe, yeah man, that'll help for sure. lol

I totally forgot about the couple of twists in the line Kent!
Duane, that definitely helps.
I actually tend to fly dual line with a couple twists in the line at all times. I find the kite easier to control.

Come on Jon,

That's great...but what about my 6 pac cooler...that deserves some comment!?!?

Keep It Up!
Duane