400lbs lines on a 4.9m blade

[Racinsnake2]

I am having to temporarly fly my blade2 4.9m on 400 main lines (until my others arrive). Does anyone out there know what is the approx max wind i should fly in with these lines?

 

I know that the 6.4m also needs 500lbs lines so i didnt think it was too bad using 400lbs lines with my 4.9 temporarily.

 

Also will 250lbs lines do on the brakes seeing how the recommended line strength for brakes on a 9.0 is 300lbs?

 

Thanx

[MadAndy71]

I don't know what the maximum wind would be but I would say they are safe. Main and brakes.

 

I know we are talking of a smaller kite, but I had my 3m Blade out in winds over 20mph. Was jumping and I am 15st.

Been buggying with it with wind up to 20mph and it's ok. I have got the std 300lb top and 200lb brake lines on it.

I know the 4.9 is alot more powerfull but this hopefully gives you an idea it should be OK. Even more so when your lines are just temporary.

I guess these lines are new and don't have any wear or fatigue?

[tom1599968574]

unless you are flying it in very high wind or doing silly stuff with it, i wouldnt bother buying 500lbs or stronger brakes for the 9. cant see 400s snapping on a 4.9 for normal use, same for the brakes on the 9. you will prob find it will flyu faster on the lighter lines too. Flexi used to recommend 300lbs for stacking 2 6's, thats is way too strong, its just a con to get you to spend more cash! buy yourself a sleeving kit for £1. if they do break, resleave them and go again!

tom

[Guest Clueless wander]

In good winds my symph was snapping 300lbers. The power of this kite in comparison to the 4.9 blade is fractional.

In your position i would use the 400's but abstain from jumps untill you get the 500's.

[Chris-Aer]

There was a lot of debate about line strenghts a while back on the forum. The 2 schools of thought are

 

1) The bigger the kite the stronger the line you need.

2) The line strenght required depends on what is at the handle end of the kite.

 

Whilst at first look the first seems sensible it does not make a lot of sence at closer inspection. The second item is what really matters. You are only able to apply a certain amount of hold on your kite depending on your weight and to a degree your ability to keep hold of the kite. The line strenght needed it one that will support your weight plus any friction you generate with the floor (plus a safty margin).

[blade3k]

just to be on the safe side i would get stronger lines for the break on the 9m. the streanth of the lines needed on your 4.9 depends on what you are using the kite for, there are tables in the new flexi catologue.

[Racinsnake2]

Thanks for the response people, The guys at the shop are swopping my unused (was to windy for the 4.9 at the weekend!) 400lbs for 500lbs cos they now have some in.

 

Thanx

[Poseidon]

I've been using 500lb (Power) and 300ib (brake) on my 4.9 blade for the 3 years, I haven't seen any dramatic performance loss and have only broken them once (when the lines fouled the rear wheel on the buggy)

[burgy]

Kite size & wind strenght makes no difference when buying lines. The only real factor you should consider is body weight & what your doing with the kite.

 

Little buggys & crusing. Most people will only ever need 300/150lb lines.

 

Race buggys, big guys in soft condtions 500/220lb

 

Jumping on land, on foot or with a board 500lb at least, depending on weight. Id want to have double my all up weight as a breaking strenght.

 

Kite surf & buggy air 700lb+

 

As Kitings progressed & more people have started using heavyer line its got cheaper so its no big deal to buy some 500lb line to buggy with, you prolly wont notice any difference unless your lines are over 30m & then it will effect the bottom end of your kites performance.

 

Steve

[Andy S]

Originally posted by burgy

Kite size & wind strenght makes no difference when buying lines.

 

Burgy,

 

What about the dynamic properties of the line? Have heard stories of people who have been lifted, all of a sudden, with the kite above their head. Surely, the amount of acceleration applied (how quickly the lift comes in) is improtant here - most climbing rope is specified in Newtons - the theory being dead-lifting 100kg slowly puts less of a strain on the line than the same 100kg being halted from freefall.

 

Not sure if the effect is big on lines, but adding that with the reduction in breaking strain you get after knotting lines (I don't believe sleeving keeps the breaking strain constant...). Just pointing out that it's not as simple as "just your body weight".

 

Having said all of that, I weigh 220 lbs and I fly with 550/350 Climax lines (so 2x weight ).

 

Andy

[burgy]

Mos Def you have to consider shock loadings but its the other way round to what most people think. Its the Smaller kites that will give you bigger shock loadings, not the big ones.

 

Sudden gusts, flying static or moving shouldnt really give you that much of a shock load. The ones you have to watch for are when the kite Luffs, reinflates, then rips off in the other direction. Launching a well powered sub 4m kite direct down wind is another good way of snapping lines.

 

Your also right about sleeving not making all that much difference to breaking strain at the knot. Its worth it to protect against abrasions etc. Even sewing the loops will reduce the breaking strain compaired to a straight bit of line. IMO 9 times out of 10 its weakening of the line due to abrasions, UV degradation etc that causes lines to snap not cause youve exceded the origonal breaking strain.

 

If your on land & not tethered I honestly dont see much point in going over 2 x all up weight. If your still snapping lines then your either right on the edge of the envelope or you need to take a bit more care of your lines.

 

Steve