What's your takedown routine?

[windhorny]

well, salt itself is a preservative. BUT, I dont think it hurts to rinse stuff off. I rinse everything off every time, no exception and my stuff stays in very good condition. I think rinsing your kite off in fresh water and not letting it dry is the worse thing to do though. I'd be more worried about your stainless parts especially if you have a slingshot bar with a bearing in it. Not rinsing that off will have immediate negative effects. Perhaps if you ride everyday like the 3rd ave crew, it doesn't matter so much either way.

As for rolling up with lines attached....forget it! Like Ollie said, it's normally more hassle than it's worth. Seemed 50% of the time they would miraculously get tangled. When I rode Slingshot it wasnt a problem, but RRD and North and others without the "Y" at the bar are a real PITA.

[Aloha]

Has anyone tried one of these? lol

Always been curious if it actually saves time / works

http://www.josekite.com/

joseonbar2_t.jpg (10.7KiB)Viewed 3146 times

[windhorny]

I tried something similar years back and at the end of the day it was just easier to attach the 4 lines every time. But if it works for you, great. There is certainly nothing wrong with trying different methods out and seeing which works best.

[Aloha]

I think you're right about the Y position thing bro

The old Naish bar I had 2 years ago when I wound it and left it by the kite I could always unwind and have it be ready to go, but any bar I've since tried that has the Y split way up the bar always does some kind of mystery loop even if I carefully wrap it and ends up crossing a center and a steering

The same would probably happen if you used Señor Jose on that type of bar

[stewart]

Since I only use old cheap eBay kites my kite takedown goes like this:
1. Fly Kite in the Power Zone
2. Disconnect Leash
3. Punch Out
4. Walk Away

[jwest21]

Has anyone ever noticed any benefit to tying all four lines into a quick knot at your ends before wrapping up? I just always feel like it takes me 20 minutes to untangle my lines each session. I can understand if my last wrap up was a self-rescue, but they just seem to magically twirl around each other like someone braided them even from a nice clean wrap. Maybe I do it with too much twist in my wrist or bounce in my step from having a great time out there.

[steve]

probably about a 118 kilos issue :)
steve

[NCKite_Ryder]

Has anyone ever noticed any benefit to tying all four lines into a quick knot at your ends before wrapping up? I just always feel like it takes me 20 minutes to untangle my lines each session. I can understand if my last wrap up was a self-rescue, but they just seem to magically twirl around each other like someone braided them even from a nice clean wrap. Maybe I do it with too much twist in my wrist or bounce in my step from having a great time out there.

You are riding the Slingshot D2 Control Bar correct? When you wrap the lines put the chicken loop in full power position, then fold both "rubber" guards towards the center of the bar. "Wrap the first few feet (the depower, rings, leaders, safety, lines, etc.) just like you would the rest of the lines". Then proceed to finish off the rest of your lines as normal and tuck them into themselves at the end.

If you are already wrapping like this and its still not working it could be old lines or just your nube skills. I think we have all been there trying to get the damn lines sorted as people are launching one after another in front of you...

Post back if it works. I've been riding that bar for years and had the same problem in the beginning cause I was not wrapping the first few feet correct. Also wash your bar with fresh water, it will be easier to run your lines.

^^'s up tonight!

[Aloha]

J my first season it seemed like it took me an hour everytime to unwind and untangle my lines

A few things I focused on helped:

1) Tight wrap on takedown

2) Unwrap them loosely and place each section on the ground as you unwind as though you're painting streetlines with your kite lines

3) On the "walk up" stage of the untangle... keep the front hand REALLY far forward from your back hand. Keeping kite lines untangled is all about keeping them really loose

4) On the last stage (1/4 or so of the lines) if your lines are color coded and it looks like you're going to face a big ball of tangle to the end of the line set...

a) I keep my feet planted to separate the steering lines from the leader lines...
b) then do the "pull through" on the red line to your right and throw that bunch of line to your right..
c) do the same on the blue line to your left and throw that bunch to your left.
d) From there continue walking up and connect the leader lines (doesn't matter as much if they're crossed) then
e) circle back and walk each steering line bunch out until it's straight and connect 'em up staying clear of the already connected leader/center lines to make sure you don't do a cross

[lieutenantglorp]

On take down, I just roll up the lines to the kite walking upwind towards it and straighten out the bridle if twisted to expose the four connections. Upon disconnecting the lines, I connect each steering line to the adjacent center line on both sides so I end up with two loops. This makes setup the next time much easier. Unroll the lines and then simply twist the two looped ends if necessary until the steering lines are clear. If there are any center line twists, they can be resolved with the swivel after launch. This way you never have to fight the wind causing the lines to twist around each other as you are walking them out.