My bar has blue balls.

splaterwin · Since 17 Nov 2005 165 Posts Vancouver Stoked

One thing that I liked about my Cross Bow bar that Slingshot and others does not support is bungee bar line keepers. So being the danger-neer that I am (that’s engineer on steroids) I designed a change. It’s worked out so well I thought I’d share.

Cost of change - about $1.00 per bar.

Ease of mod – very easy.

Time to mod – about 10 minutes.

Bar change – completely reversible.

First buy some Bungee Cord tarp and canopy keepers. I think you can get these just about anywhere. Picked up mine at Sportsmans Wherehouse for $4.99. They are long lasting and handle UV very well. Next will let the pics do the talking.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

blue balls = black eye

nice work bench Smile

not sure I'd be melting bungee cord over the back of my ski Shocked

mikeinhoodriver · Since 23 Apr 2009 433 Posts down wind somewhere Obsessed

my buddy Jeff, uses velcro. When not in use, he attaches it to his grab handle on his board.

ronp · Since 05 Jul 2007 79 Posts west linn

In general, the idea seems pretty handy and convenient on other bars but be careful of those balls. Anything that can catch a line, or in particular hardware on a line, could cause a problem. The situation is when the kite is down and powers up hot, something might get caught. It would be rare but it is possible.

An alternative is to just wrap the lines around once on each side as you finish winding your lines.

Yesterday, my kite wrapped a little on itself so I dropped the bar and expected the fifth line would correct things like it almost always does. However, it went into a death spiral and pulling me by the safety line. I had to release the kite and was confused how it could happen. After I was back on shore with the gear I found that an outside line got caught in the fifth line cleat.

Thanks Bolstads!!! surfing me in to shore, towing my kite near shore, and letting me use the kayak. Your crew is getting more skilled and more famous but still super helpful and ambassadors to the sport.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

do you know what a half hitch knot is?

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

ha!
I had a 5th line caught in the big cleat one time, similar effect: kite became a propeller, spun about 15 times, 500m sleigh ride. I had to ride it out, so I could self rescue, it was in a river mouth, not too fun. Somebody eventually returned the board. Now I run the 5th line through the tunnel behind the cleat, like it should be! (Or just 4 lines...)

SalmonSlayer · Since 27 Nov 2005 648 Posts Addicted **CGKA Member**

I just use a half hitch, but I allways find off-the-self solutions interesting. The wheel barrow tire tube/GoJoe is one of my favorite.

It seems as if you could eliminate the blue balls and just use a bungee loop. Does the Blue Ball provide a function other than making is easier to grab and move the bungee?

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

you take them off every session? If not you are screwed - blue balls of death

lets enumerate potential issues:

1. finger slides into bungies as bar slips from hand - broken fingers or torn off
2. you drop kite and the balls catch and tangle in your lines
3. a giant sturgeon thinks its blue power bait
4. you get so mesmerrised by the bouncing balls on your bar you get run over by a barge

Half hitch works pretty good - if you are OCD you can put in two

Blue · Since 03 Jul 2007 469 Posts I used to be Obsessed

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1734 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

here's another quick solution to adding loops to your bar ends. I just looped some shock cord (bungee) through the leader line under the bar floats and then just tie a knot. make the loop long enough to loop over the lines and bar. the lip where the plastic meets the rubber grip on the bar is enough to retain the bungee so it won't fall off. while riding you can loop it over your bar so they aren't in the way.

here's a shot of the bar and how it looks.

splaterwin · Since 17 Nov 2005 165 Posts Vancouver Stoked

Knot works, but for me this is simple. Haven't had an issue with line getting caught but something to consider Very Happy

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

maybe just girth hitch them on and off the bar at the beginning and end of the session (takes about one second)

Random shit happens - I've got whipped in the eye from my wetsuit zipper line on super windy day Surprised

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

Gman, did your parents ever tell you that you were "special" growing up?

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

why do think i wear the headgear

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

yeah but Gman & Hein are spot on. Random shit happens and for christ sakes, who wants blue balls. Although you could probably sell them to those go-joe fanatics.

jahmbi · Mon Jun 15, 09 8:42 pm

MIKEHAWKMIKEHAWKMIKEHAWKMIKEHAWK.......troll