New Tech Kites

indigo_wolf · Kite Enthusiast Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Posts: 26 Location: MA

Should the spreader be held in place by the tension created as the spreaders trying to remain straight OR by the snugness of the spreaders in the leading edge fittings?

The spreaders seat properly in 3 out of the 4 leading edge spreaders. The top left fitting (with the kite lying on its back), doesn't seem to go in all the way. The really annoying part is that it is almost impossible to break down the kite without (what seems like) an undue amount of effort. I am in fear of snapping the spreaders or puncturing the sale due to the sheer amount of "elbow grease" that is required to pull the spreaders out.

It is almost like the holes in the fitting are too small coming off the assembly line.

I could try enlarging the hole or lubricating the the spreader tips with a paraffin based lubrcant. The latter makes me wonder if if the lubricant won't have any negative impact on the sale or or boat.
In either case, it definitely seems like it should be this difficult

Any Insights would be greatly appreiated.....

Sam

Any insights into what is going on

Chris

indigo_wolf · Kite Enthusiast Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Posts: 26 Location: MA

Hi Chris-

Thanks for the speedy reply.

Yikes... I just rechecked my original post. No wonder you had difficulty understanding it. I must have been falling asleep at the keyboard. I think I had been up for 48 hours when I posted that. Apologies....I have a fair amount of things to do before I am free to get away for the 4th of July weekend.

Let me try again. With the kite facing up (bridle side up), the fittings are located at roughly 10:00, 2:00, 4:00 & 7:00. The left front spreader tip was not fully seating in the 10:00 fitting. This was causing a fair amount of deflection in the front spreader. The others were difficult to seat, but at least they did so completely.

I followed the suggestions in your response, but no luck.

The kite was still an absolute bear to break down. I had a wonderfully picture of me trying to break down at the field and tearing my hair out in the process.

I finally broke down, and swabbed the inside of the fittings with liquid Teflon. It made all the difference in the world. The fit is still snug, so much so that I have little fear of popping the spreaders in a crash. Since this is my first stunt kite, I'll probably have a chance to test that theory this weekend. I'll be putting up two new kites (the Cherry Bomb and a 78" Rokkaku) to the wind for the first time...woo hoo ;o)

On the plus side, the spreaders now positvely and fully seat, but the kite now breaks down almost as fast as it sets up. It has made such an incredible difference that I think some cotten swabs and a small tube of liquid Teflon or Krytec is going to be a permanent addition to the kite pack. Now if someone would just manufacture Teflon impregnated fittings /

All the best,
Sam

Chris · Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 7:34 am Post subject:

Hi Sam,

I'm glad you were able to solve your problem. Thanks for the tip about the liquid Teflon...I've never used that before. Enjoy the 4th!

Best winds,

Chris
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