Hi.

I have done it. I have bought a 3m wide "Quadrifoil" 4 line powerkite.

I managed to unpack it and launch it some weeks ago, but there was no wind, so I had to run to get it to fly.

Today there was plenty wind and I tried again - I failed miserably however, because the lines had become tangled. Not the right and left line, but the two lines belonging to either side had twisted very much - I could not untwist it for the life of me. I tried turning and turning and turning one handle, but it just created more twisting.

Then a stupid dog peed on my kite and I decided to call it a day.

Can comeone explain to me a technique on how to:
a) Pack the kite so that it can easily be unpacked again without twising
b) Untwist an already tangled line?

Stake three lines out and Then un tangle the fourth.. sometimes it is easyer done if you take the lines off of the kite..

When Packing up..

If its a bar you're flying- one hand holds the bar and the other Wraps the lines.. the hand holding the bar NEVER lets go, and as such there is no way for the ines to cross..

If handles- Bring all lines to the centre of the handle, and Then Cover the handles with a sock, then Wrap the lines in the crease in the sock made between the 2 handles and finally secure the lines to the hande/sock configuration by use of elastic bands..

... Finally, Make damn sure you respect the wind, These kites can Mess you up in a bad way... don't jump untill you know what you're doing.. I say this cause I now sport a titanium Ankle due to not respecting the wind and This was done to me by a 3.5 M trainer..

Finally , Have Fun

it would be great if there was an experienced kiter to help you...... i cant tell you how many times my friends and i have helped a nooby to kite flying and usually it only takes a few minutes...... there is a tutorial on racekites.com on parapacking--or you can disconnect the lines from the kite and wrap them around the handles in a figure 8 pattern......its so much easier to actually show you...... where are you at? scoops guide to power kiting on this site is a good read for beginners and coastal wind sports has some good tutorials--angus is a gold mine of kiting information--ive asked him a million questions....... good luck ps. i had to laugh when u said a dog peed on your kite--just when things couldnt get any worse........and finally--there's no substitute for experience, so after u untangle, get out there and fly your $@# off!!

Check out the thread " First flight with a four line "

About 3 posts down there is a video posted that Shows the Handles/sock method of Wrapping ines... a good video all in all if youre flying handles

Thanks a lot! Will def check it out. Kiteetik i am located in Denmark so it might be a ways off.

I guess I have to be more mindful than I thought with the kite, hearing about your accident DHK.

Quote:

Originally posted by akerman Thanks a lot! Will def check it out. Kiteetik i am located in Denmark so it might be a ways off. I guess I have to be more mindful than I thought with the kite, hearing about your accident DHK.

yea, denmark is a little distance from ohio.......

Try this...
Traction Kiting 101 .

Your lines were likely not twisted but interwoven. When you went to untwist them you added a real twist that was never there in the first place, then it goes south from there. Happens to everyone at one point, especially with new lines still sticky with sizing/ coatings.

Just be aware that they Can be dangerous if you take wind power for granted.. I advise NOT jumping unless over water or with a proper depower and then only when you have some experience.

Since I did this unfortunate thing To myself I have set my Top windspeed for this kite a 30 Kmh.. beyond that It gets VERY strong. and I dont fly in over 20 kmh if the winds are too gusty, as I'm currentlly flying a fixed bridle kite.