Date: Thu, 29 Jul 1993 14:46:58 -1000 From: il@bambam.u.washington.edu (Il Hwan Oh) Message-Id: <239r22$548@news.u.washington.edu> Organization: University of Washington, Tacoma Subject: lines for Cheetah I seem to have lost the lines and handles to my kite during my trip back home from my vacation. Like I said, I'm new to this and would like some help. The kite is a Cheetah with a 5' wingspan, and I'm a rank beginner at this. Should I get a set of those Spectra lines or should I stick to cheap lines? What thickness and length should I get? The "instructions" the kite came with tell me absolutely nothing useful, consisting entirely of a diagram of a small part of the kite. I don't even know what the wind ranges are for it. -- Il Hwan Oh | "You live and learn. Computer Facilities Manager | At any rate, you live." University of Washington, Tacoma | -- Douglas Adams iho@cac.washington.edu | = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 30 Jul 1993 02:21:46 -1000 From: lmarshal@pnfi.forestry.ca (Larry Marshall) Message-Id: Organization: Forestry Canada - Petawawa National Forestry Institute Subject: Re: lines for Cheetah In <239r22$548@news.u.washington.edu> il@bambam.u.washington.edu (Il Hwan Oh) writes: >The kite is a Cheetah with a 5' wingspan, and I'm a rank beginner at this. >Should I get a set of those Spectra lines or should I stick to cheap >lines? What thickness and length should I get? The "instructions" Since I'm the guy getting lessons about line length and strength, I can't say much about that question. But I would recommend spending the money on good Spectra line. I was a bit shocked the first time I heard how much I was going to have to spend for "kite string" but now that I've been flying with my lines I can't imagine doing it any other way. These lines don't stretch, they don't break (at least mine haven't) and seem to last a very long time if you treat them well. ---------- Larry Marshall lmarshal@pnfi.forestry.ca Forestry Canada (613) 589-2880 Petawawa National Forestry Institute (613) 589-2275 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Fri, 30 Jul 1993 03:50:22 -1000 From: danr@crash.cts.com (Dan Rubesh) Message-Id: <1993Jul30.065023.17262@crash> Organization: CTS Network Services (crash, ctsnet), El Cajon, CA Subject: Re: lines for Cheetah > The kite is a Cheetah with a 5' wingspan, and I'm a rank beginner > at this. Should I get a set of those Spectra lines or should I > stick to cheap lines? What thickness and length should I get? The > "instructions" the kite came with tell me absolutely nothing > useful, consisting entirely of a diagram of a small part of the > kite. I don't even know what the wind ranges are for it. By all means, I'd recommend Spectra.. For the Cheetah, I'd suggest 80# Spectra at a length of 75' or less, depending on your local winds/flying skill.. The shorter the lines and/or higher the winds the faster the kite will travel, and your reflexes may cause the kite to suffer.. :-).. A side note about 'cheap lines'.. When I first started flying stunt kites (with a 3-stack of Trlbys and an added 3 for a 6-stack), I looked at Spectra as being _expensive_, and it was, relatively.. Being a semi- commercial fisherman, I could get dacron for cheap (80# and 130# for 3-4 cents/yd) and the local kite shop wanted $18-20 for a 125' set of 125# Spectra.. After I'd transitioned to my first big-wing delta, (Spectrum Dart), I was still flying on dacron. A friend at the park offered to let me fly my kite on his Spectra line set.. After about 15 minutes, I returned his lines, packed up my gear and drove _fast_ to the kite shop (Kite Country in San Diego.. Thanks, Vic) to buy my first set of Spectra.. It was like the difference between night and day.. The only thing I use dacron for anymore is flying the occaisional single-line kite, and for sleeving Spectra.. Ob. Disclaimer: I am a stunt kite dealer and carry some of the above mentioned product(s). As such, my opinions may tend to be somewhat subjective. - - - - - - - - - - - - - Good Winds and Tight Lines! Dan Rubesh Wind Wizard, Purveyor of UUCP: {ucsd, nosc}!crash!danr GO Stunt Kites & Accessories ARPA: crash!danr@nosc.mil FLY A P.O. Box 5747 INET: danr@crash.cts.com KITE! Ventura, CA 93005 (805) 659-5654