From: mss@endor.uucp (Marty Sasaki)
Newsgroups: rec.kites
Subject: Re: Attaching arrow nocks to Graphite spars
Date: 23 Nov 92 04:37:36 GMT
Article-I.D.: das.1992Nov23.043736.8364
Organization: Sasaki Kite Fabrications

In article <17117@umd5.umd.edu> jeffy@syrinx.umd.edu (Jeffrey C. Burka) writes:
>A length of line (kevlar or otherwise) is sewn onto the leading edge, extending
>quite far up the edge.  It is done with plenty of line leftover at the bottom.
>This bottom line is then pulled tight and wrapped/fastened in one way or 
>another around the bottom of the spar.  I think on of the big advantages is
>that the stress is distributed much better along the leading edge instead of
>concentrated on that little hole you've made (and probably pounded a grommet
>into) at the very bottom.

I use a little hole that has a grommet set into it. I used to sew the
line into the leading edge, but that takes a long time and if your
leading edige material is something like 4 ounce dacron, which is what
I use for everything except the ultra-lights, there is no noticable
difference between sewing in the line and just using a whole with a
grommet.

The biggest advantage in my mind to this system is that it allows you
to precisely adjust the tension in the sail. The sail tension can make
a big difference in the way a kite flys. In fact, one of the ways to
fine tune the speed of a stunt kite is to play with the tension.

>As far as I know, the JordanAir Pro was the first kite to use this idea, though
>I could be wrong.  Dean Jordan doesn't use nocks on the Advantage Pro; he 
>uses nylon wire ties stuck into the end of the spar, putting the line through 
>the tie and then running some half hitches to further fasten the line.  

The ultra-light Katana II uses Clearwater spars, very similar to the
Advantage Pro. I place a nock over a piece of 1/4" graphite and place
this inside the spar and tie the line to it. Much easier to adjust
than the wire tie...

And yes, Dean was the first that I know to use this method on stunt
kites. It has been used for many years on single line kites.

>The original Tracer used a different technique, which Skyward called "active
>frame tensioning."  The kite has a line sewn into the trailing edge; the loose
>end of the line is then tied into a loop and slipped over an arrow nock.  The
>biggest problem with this is that as the sail stretches, the knots will have
>to be re-tied.  This isn't _too_ big a deal; the last time I had to adjust
>my Tracer was in August.  

I've seen folks with improperly adjusted Tracers fly very badly. When
the line was adjusted properly, the kite flew much better.

>The latest version of the Tracer (and the version that will be manufactured
>and marketed by Skynasaur) still has the line in the trailing edge, but also
>has a bungee in the traditional spot.  I've no idea what this is supposed
>to do for the kite.

There are several kites that have this arrangement these days. The EFM
and the newer Team High Flys come to mind. The theory is that the
bungee cord can be used to control the tension in the sail along the
leading edge, the kevlar adjusts the tension in the trailing edge.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
  Marty Sasaki			  Sasaki Kite Fabrications		
  mss@das.harvard.edu		  26 Green Street
  phone:  617-522-8546		  Jamaica Plain, MA 02130