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I recently acquired a stack of TRLBY kites that needs a little bit of work. I'm sure much of it is fine, but I'd like to take this opportunity to learn more about stacks anyways so I have a handful of questions to the experienced flyers of stacks. What kind of line should I use to make link-lines? Dacron? What kind of knots (and configuration) should I use for the lines? Clips or not? The TRLBY setup typically uses these paper clip type things to attach the bridle to the spars. Should those be used in stacking setups, or should I make little leaders that I larkshead lines to? What is easiest if I want to be able to change the stack size and/or fly the kite as a single quickly/easily? What weight of line for link-lines for various stack sizes/wind conditions? How long should the link lines be for TRLBY stacks? I've read 18". Anything special about length of the first/last set of link lines? Are all others equal? I think I read somewhere that you want to do something special with the link lines for the last kite, but I don't remember if it was longer altogether, or just one that points the kite a little differently than the rest of the stack. Any good links (preferably with pictures) of a "phantom" and how it works for larger stacks? How large of a stack can I fly without worrying about one? Should I have stronger lines at different points of the stack? I.e. 250# closest the lines, working down to 100# closest to the kite line? I actually have stacking lines that came with the kites, but they're pretty uneven, some had knots pull out, and they use the TRLBY clips, but many are rusty. Does anybody know where to get the paper-clip looking clips, as well as the little key-ring type clips used on TRLBY kites in bulk to make link lines?

The sails on my Trlby 4 stack have finally reached retirement age. I have plenty of ripstop but I need a pattern for the Trlby sails and I have not been able to get a hold of a ripstop Trlby to copy. In my travels I have collected 8 more frames, including 3 heavy duty main spars. Today, I found 8 more singles online and bought em immediately. I should have everything needed for a 20 kite Trlby stack! I know this thing is going to be under some heavy duty stress so any help on what gauge the kite to kite links should be would be awesome. I have a belt rig made by Kiteman Jack for running big stacks so I just wanna make sure the kite setup is beefy enough. I hope to post updates when I start making the sails.

New to the forum and have been sport kiting a couple of years now. Hooked of course. I am finding I need some expert advice, which is how I stumbled across your forum. What a fun and passionate group! Yesterday I saw an ad in Craigslist for a 3 stack of Trlby kites new in an unopened package. Great price. I made the assumption (wrong) that they would be made of ripstop nylon and produced within at least the last 10 yrs. (wrong again). The older man was so sweet and he was so happy that someone wanted to buy the kite that he found cleaning out his Dad's house. I didn't have the heart to not take it because it was not what I expected. Well, I got it home and opened it up. Turns out it is from the early 80's. At that point I started to get excited and had a great time putting it together. We retaped the sails and needed to temporarily tape on the tails. Anything with adhesive was shot and even the rubber bands that hold the different components together in packaginf practically disintegrated upon contact. There were great winds tonight, so of course I had to see if it could still fly. SO FUN! I only flew it for about 5 min. because now that I know it has potential to actually still work, I needed to get some expert advice before I completely wrecked it. #1 Will polyethylene material hold up? What do you think the max wind speed is? #2 Does unused line deteriorate? Is there a reason it has handles with a lot of line, or do the more modern ones have the straps and a set amount of line? #3 Any other suggestions to keep it flying? Thanks!!!!! Stacey