cyenobite

Thanks everyone! Especially Kitepiolot's link with the explantion and photos. I just assumed it was a simple knot, not realizing it was "sleeved" I've not heard of this term before. I will defintely give this a try once I get the kite shipped back to me from my sister. I am looking forward to flying the beetle as i noticed it was a much lighter kite than my other "Hype" design. It seems like it would take less wind - which is good here in Jersey. I've not had too many good windy days! Unless I take a 2 hour trip down to the beach. This was defintely not stretch that caused this uneven string. It was almost one exact revolution around the string winder. And I barely had the kite in the air when i noticed the uneven strings. I'm sure I'll get it figured out. One further question: While in CA on my last day there, I was assuming I would get one last chance to fly my kite, so I knotted up the line to take out the additional slack. But as it turns out, I never actually flew it. I saw that you said by knotting the string, weakens the string almost 50%... Do you think I've done damge to the string just by tying the knot and not flying it? I was disappointed in not finding any good kite shops. I was in the Berkeley area, and the only kite shop I was able to find online was the "chinatown kite shop" in SF. (which was extremely disapointing... nothing but trashy junk kites for the tourists. I thought I'd see some really nice asia style kites.) I should have thought to post a message here on the boards before my trip, but didn't think of it. Oh well. Thanks again all, and thanks for the tips on alternative string sources too. Looking forward to "sleeving" on my own. Cyen

Hey all, I recently purchased a "beetle" for a weeks vacation in CA. I had it shipped to where I was staying with my sister. I took it out, and attempted to fly it at a local park, and after several frustrating launches, realized something was not right... The strings were NOT of equal length! I ended up holding it by the string and not the wrist strap, because I wasn't sure how to re-tie the knot for attaching the string to the strap. I'm back home now, and will have my sister ship the kite back home to me some time soon, and I would like to know how to untie the existing knot and retie it again at it's proper length. Can some one point me to the correct way to tie this particular knot? I'd hate to start untieing it, only to become confused. I tried to look at the knot closely but could not understand it. It appears as though the white kite string is going into two double knots of the black string attached to the strap. But I don't see any loose ends. Any help with this would be appreciated. Should I even attempt this? or should i try to send the string back to coastal kites for a replacement? Thanks J PS> I don't know if this was related, but I had a heck of a time flying this kite in the park. I think it was due to the fact that it was not a very big field, and that the park was surrounded by tall trees. In spite of a LOT of wind, I found the kite to be very eratic! There were times I would launch it, only for it to float down as if there were no wind - yet the leaves in the trees were blowing like crazy. Can the tree's cause that much wind turbulance? or does it sound like the kite might be flawed, or need adjustments? I spent 95% of the time just trying to keep the kite airborn, with no time for tricks. thoughts?

I'm sort of repeating this topic from what I've read about "kitepilot" posted about the Trlby tail winding question... I noticed on my stunt kite (the hype by HQ), it has a little hollow tube in which I could attach a string loop, and then add a tail... This is more of a general overall question... Can you add a tail to a stunt kite in general? How drastically does it effect it's flight? I assume it drastically inhibits the kite from doing many of the more complicated tricks, but what about general loops, etc... In all the photos I've seen on the web, etc, I've not seen too many people do this, is it for a good reason? With my limited skill, I can basically imagine myself tying the tail into one big knot! Thanks for any advice, hints, etc Newbie Stunt kite flyer Cyen

Thanks guys for the advice. I had not thought it through that as long as the kite is tilted back it would not launch - it only makes sense. I will have to try and pick up a large screwdrive or something and give it a try. Paul, I understand about not untangling the lines and just performing a few circles, but this is just at my beginner level, still getting the hang of doing one circle at a time Not to mention untangling the string from my feet as the wind would tangle it! I love the sandbag/wallet idea too for keeping the edge of the kite down. I'll have to look into that as well. Thanks again for the advice. (also for the advice on updating my profile - which I did). Any other useful tips for launching please feel free to post! Thanks Cyen PS> I have Dodd Gross' flight school DVD (which I like inspite of the poor editing Can anyone recommend any other DVD's?

Hello all, I'm a new kite flying fan. I've been bitten by the bug I got my first stunt kite (an HQ HYPE) Which I really like. I also picked up a training DVD from Dodd... During the video, I noticed he had a sort of large nail with a padded top, that he used to anchor the straps into the ground, while he launched his kite. this past weekend i took my kite out for the first time down to the jersey shore, and had a blast. The worst part was trying to set up the kite on it's back, then slowly walk back loosely holding the strings (and untangling them at the same time). Then carefully turning around and putting the wrtist straps on, then launching. Several times, while walking back, a strong gust would come along, and flip the kite over. anyway, I was wondering if staking the straps into the ground would help prevent this? I have a fear that the kite would LAUNCH on it's own before I had the chance to get back to the straps. Thoughts or advice? To Stake or not... Thanks Cyen PS> Any other tips for launching one your own would be appreciated. For both sand/beach and grass/park. I was wondering if burrying the leading edge in the sand would keep the kite from flipping before i got back to the straps?