From: danr@crash.cts.com (Dan Rubesh)
Newsgroups: rec.kites
Subject: Re: Quadrifoil
Date: 22 Jan 93 14:50:40 GMT
Organization: CTS Network Services (crash, ctsnet), El Cajon, CA

In article <1993Jan20.150033.10455@das.harvard.edu> sasaki@netop3.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki) writes:
>
>In article <14270@pogo.wv.tek.com>, daveb@pogo.wv.tek.com (Dave Butler) writes:

[stuff deleted]

>Here is where having a good supplier is a big help. I got my
>Quadrafoil from Dan Rubesh. Along with the instructions which come
>with the kite, Dan enclosed a set of supplimental instructions on
>tuning. Dan is also on the net, which means that he can answer
>questions about the things he sells. His prices are pretty good too.
>
>If you have a good retailer in the area, please give them your
>business. If you don't have a good retailer, I suggest mail order from
>folks like Dan...
>--
>Marty Sasaki               Harvard University           Sasaki Kite Fabrications
>sasaki@noc.harvard.edu     Network Operations Division  26 Green Street
>                           10 Ware Street               Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
>                           Cambridge, MA 02138-4002     phone/fax: 617-522-8546




Thanks for the plug, Marty!

I've been following this thread on Quadrifoil line setups and have been
overly busy on other projects to put in my $0.27 worth.. When I started
handling Quadrifoils, I could see that the line tuning could be a
problem for a multitude of reasons. Among other problem areas is the
difficulty of getting 2 sets of lines of different weight and strech
characteristics matched to the same length, and with the method that
I've outlined below it makes it considerably easier.. First I make up
the 2 sets of lines, getting the top lines equal, and the bottom lines
equal side to side, and within an inch or so of equality top to bottom.
Then I use a set of temporary tuning lines that I've tied from 130#
dacron. They are about 30" long with an overhand loop at one end, and a
series of knots spaced about an inch apart, starting at about 18" and
continuing to 24" or so..  I larkshead attach these to the lower handle
attachment lines and I think the rest is pretty well described below..
What I like about this method is that you can do _all_ of your tuning
from the handles end of the line without walking the lines. 

Supplemental instructions for QuadriFoil

The line (hot pink) mains and 80# Spectra (white)
steering lines. They are pre-streched, sleeved and marked at the
sleeving with red marker on one side for you to use for right or left
as your preference dictates..

I've found that the best way to set up the lines initially and tune
the kite is to use the temporary tuning lines that I've attached to
the lower (long) side of the handles with a larkshead and attach the
lower flylines (white 80# Spectra) to the tuning lines with a
larkshead at about the middle knot of the tuning lines.. Attach the
upper lines to the upper side of the handles, then stake the handles
and walk out the lines, taking the kite (still in the bag) with you..
Unfold the kite and place it on its back, vents downwind and attach
the main lines (150# Spectra) to the main bridle points with
larksheads. Attach the lower (steering) lines to the lower bridles
with a larkshead _at the knot_ where the single line branches into
multiple lines. Turn the kite over and let the wind catch it, parking
it _vents down_ so it is pulling on the staked lines. If you park the
kite with the vents up at this time (or any other) the slightest gust
will launch it.. Go back to the kite and launch by backing it off the
ground (pointing your thumbs toward the kite and tugging the lines)..
Fly it and get a feel for how the steering lines are set.. At this
stage you can move the attachment point of the lower lines to the
tuning lines up or down to a point where you have optimum control of
the kite in all directions.. When you have the lines adjusted to your
satisfaction, you can remove and use one of the tuning lines as a
measure to transfer the length (from the attachment loop to the knot
that your lower lines were attached to) to the (2) lower lines on the
kite, tying a knot at that length and moving the lower line attachment
point to that knot. Remove the other temporary tuning line from the
handle and larkshead the lower lines to the lower handle connecting
lines. By using this procedure, you can do all of your preliminary
line tuning without having to walk back and forth to the kite all the
time to make the adjustments at the lower bridle attachment points..

When you're done flying, I've found it easist (for me) to park the
kite, (again, vents down) and stake the handles/lines.. Rather than
'milking the kite' into a ball as described in the QuadriFoil
instructions, I fold the kite in half lengthwise and roll from each
end to the center, fold this double roll in half and stuff it in the
bag.. Go back and remove the handles from the lines, larkshead the
lower lines to their respective upper lines and wind the lines back on
the Stealth quad-winder, walking down to the bagged kite as you go.. I
don't unhook the lines from the kite, rather leave them attached and
store the wound lines and handles along with the kite in the bag.. To
re-launch after this initial exercise, I stake the bag downfield
leaving the kite _in the bag_, walk out the lines and re-attach the
handles. Then by pulling the kite from the bag and giving a couple of
sharp yanks on the lines you can get the kite to inflate and fly,
right out of the bag.. (Usually this impresses the hell out of any
spectators who've never seen a kite launched in this manner). Keep in
mind that all of this is based on my own experience, none of it is
carved in stone, and your mileage may vary.. If you find that you
develop a way that works better for you, by all means use it, and I'd
also be interested in hearing how _you_ tamed the beast..

Good Winds and Tight Lines!!

                               Wind Wizard

Purveyor of High Quality, High Performance Stunt Kites and Accessories



Dan Rubesh                                           Wind Wizard, Purveyor of
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