Stretching back lines to equal stretched Front Lines.

homerun · Since 12 Jul 2008 22 Posts

My front lines have stretched at least 1/2" based on the position of the chicken loop, when all four lines were attached to, in my case, a roof rack. The lines were equal two weeks ago when they were new.

I removed the front lines from the roof rack, and then using my harness to play tug-a-war with my van, attempted to stretch the back lines. It appears I was successful after putting all four lines back on the rack. I haven't checked if they have shortened overnight.

Is this a suitable method to make the lines more equal in length?

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

You can tie knots in them ( overhand or figure-8 )... though this is ONLY an option for the 800lbs FRONT lines on the REVs/T3s. It does weaken them a bit as Mike (Nak) showed on some bench tests, but trust me, they'll hold for just about everyone. Ruben has a piece of 800 running off of his right leader with a bunch of knots tied in it to trim his kites perfectly, and that holds all of his crazy shit! Surprised

homerun · Since 12 Jul 2008 22 Posts

That's an interesting solution. I am surprised that someone intensionally ties knots in their lines. That would certainly provide fine tuning. I had an unintentional granny knot in a line for probably four years that never broke. However, I only kited about 20 hours per year during that time with four C kites with a single bar and line set.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Yeah, so long as they're tied up close to the ends/pigtails, they really don't get in the way.