Is your kite line too heavy?

แชร์
ฝัง
  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ม.ค. 2025

ความคิดเห็น • 49

  • @Navigator87110
    @Navigator87110 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks Jim, I really like these informative videos.

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'm glad you found it useful!

    • @Henk4183
      @Henk4183 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      yeah, me too

  • @deweygravesjr.122
    @deweygravesjr.122 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice video Jim! Great saying at the end. Thanks Jim!

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      And of course, don't walk your elephant on the leash you use for the poodle, Dewey!

    • @deweygravesjr.122
      @deweygravesjr.122 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Your a funny guy!

  • @danokitemano9316
    @danokitemano9316 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is why I usually have two or three different line sets to match wind conditions and they all cross-over to other kites, so it's not like I have more line than kites!

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes, that's sensible, of course. It's amazing how many people think there is one "right" line for a kite in all possible wind speeds. As you know, the pull increases considerably as the wind picks up.

  • @DOLEWDREW
    @DOLEWDREW 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for answering my questions about the jellyfish before I even got a chance to ask you Jim ! xD But in lighter winds I don't fly this or like or trust using the light wind tow point since the one time that I did, the lighter wind decided to increase significantly and all of a sudden I was in a desperate tug of war struggle trying to get to a pole so that I could anchor ! It then took 2 people to haul the beautiful looking MONSTER down !!

    • @MichaelKSherman
      @MichaelKSherman 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Jim appears to primarily fly on the coast where a 6 mph wind (any wind off a large body of water) tends to stay fairly consistent. Inland where I live winds can fluctuate from 8 mph to 18 mph, depending on the forecast and nearby obstructions. Better to have a heavier line and use the high-wind tow point when conditions warrant. Not yet having used the light-wind tow point with lighter line, I reached out to Jim expressing surprise that his flies so easily at 6 mph, which appears to have inspired the video and the oddly disparaging narrative.

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @DOLEWDREW You certainly need to keep an eye on the wind whenever and whatever you're flying, and be prepared to take a kite down (maybe just to change line or tow-point) whenever there's a wind change. Our winds are extremely variable at this time of year, steadier in our summer months, so that's one reason I don't usually put up too many kites these days. You may have noticed in some recent videos winds can go up and down frequently, and in several days this week they've been so crazy I haven't tried to fly - 5 mph one minute, and 30 mph a few minutes later. No Jellyfish in the air then!

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @Michael K. Sherman Michael, if you have taken offence, then I'm sorry. My intention was not to disparage you but to help others who may have similar problems in flying their kites in light wind. I said I was surprised because I can see no circumstances in which a Jellyfish would need 1500lb line, and clearly it won't fly in light wind with that and the wrong tow-point. As to the wind where I fly, see my reply above.

    • @MichaelKSherman
      @MichaelKSherman 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@JimNicholls No worries Jim. I understand the positioning for your viewers. A very positive inquiry and dialogue, I thought - although I've since deleted it - given its characterization as a complaint.

    • @DOLEWDREW
      @DOLEWDREW 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@JimNicholls Actually, a 1500lb HMWPE would be ideal for the broadest wind range since it is lighter than regular 500lb Dacron and at a fraction of the diameter and because of it's slippery nature, it produces far less drag too. But it is super expensive !

  • @jameshost6343
    @jameshost6343 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Two more questions please.
    1. What is this music? It sounds somehow familiar.
    2. Do you ever worry about your line degrading from salt, sun, sand? Or, um, other environmental hazards?

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Music is Four Beers Polka, which is (or was) in the TH-cam free audio library, which is where all my soundtracks come from. I've never had a problem with line degrading. Braided dacron/polyester is extremely tough, and some of my lines have had more than ten years of frequent use without showing any wear. It pays, though, to keep an eye on them in case of problems caused by friction if they pass over other lines or get rubbed against anything else. For the average flier using them sensibly, lines will last for many, many years.

    • @lorv8628
      @lorv8628 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@JimNicholls do you do any line maintenance, or coatings?

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      No, I've never needed to do that. @@lorv8628

  • @raymonddimock6838
    @raymonddimock6838 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Since Aug 15th I no longer get e-mail notices of new video from you tube to Goggle g-mail, so i check each evening, which works just as well/ Good post on wind and kite line, was flying Trilobite 16 two day's in a row first day light winds used 300lb test, probably could have got away with 200lb-250lb, second day winds were borderline 20 kph to gusts of 28-30 kph used 500lb. test glad I did as Gusts came unexpectedly. Another good reason to tether/ secure lines to a Sand Anchor as Nova Scotia, Canada east Coast winds tend to be variable as a rule.of thumb. Also have to mention The Crocodile line grip - a great kite line - handling tool for handling taught Anchored Kite line, I'd be lost without this handy tool which allows one to place slack in the line to attach 6mm biners for line laundry items. tc Jim.

    • @mrlionel1965
      @mrlionel1965 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I had that problem also. I’m not sure why, but all the sudden, it just changed. You can try unsubscribing then resubscribing to see if that helps.

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      TH-cam has apparently stopped sending those notifications - a strange change of policy, but they are an odd lot anyway. That Crocodile grip is really useful for sure, Raymond.

    • @mrlionel1965
      @mrlionel1965 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I wish YT would just stop messing with stuff and leave it as it was. It’s frustrating..

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      It surely is, Ken. All the "improvements" they make seem to make life harder for people like me and you. They seem to cater to the "big guys" with millions of views and to their own wish to make more and more money, and ignore the rest of us.

  • @lorv8628
    @lorv8628 ปีที่แล้ว

    Fairly a newbie, what line should I get for an 8 meter octopus?

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Probably 150lb or 200lb braided dacron. It always depends on what kind of wind speeds you intend flying in.

  • @AbsoluteFidelity
    @AbsoluteFidelity 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I fly my 6 meter delta with a 100kg kevlar line and one day I got caught up in storm because it was like 3 - 3.5kms up with my 4000m line all let out. It held up well until the storm subsided and took 2 hours with 3 grown men to bring it down. A spar cracked though.

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I never fly at anything like that height, Mark, so I usually have time to anticipate bad weather and get kites down. It's illegal to fly above 400 feet here anyway. I'm glad you retrieved your kite - it sounds like quite a saga.

  • @MooCowBlueKites
    @MooCowBlueKites 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I usually will go by the manufacturer's suggestion but some time as you mentioned you may have to drop down in light wind. I usually look for how much slack is in the line. If the line is straight to the kite I figure I am good on line weight but if it has a noticeable dip in the line the line I know it is too much. That helps to know your line is probably too heavy but I don't really have a good as a way of knowing if it's too light.

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Mark, I've seen some ridiculous suggestions from manufacturers about line strength. One kite said 50lbs when it needed more like 200lbs, which was crazy. You are best to use your own judgement. You should be able to feel how much pull there is on the line and tell whether the line is strong enough. In very light wind, you'll have a dip in the line whatever strength you're using, as the weight and drag of the line will hold the kite without any real pull on the reel.

  • @redkitecrewJonny
    @redkitecrewJonny 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I’m not sure of the accuracy of line strength recommendations from kite manufacturers. There may be to much emphasis on a particular poundage for a particular kite. Wind conditions vary greatly everywhere, and sudden changes in speed and direction can be tricky. Like you I fly some big kites, but always err on the side of caution and go heavier rather than lighter if I’m in doubt. You can usually tell when a line is being overworked, by the feel and sometimes it will sing. If a hard pulling kite snaps a strong Dacron line, you don’t want to be anywhere near it.
    I’ve been caught out before with too lighter line when the wind suddenly increases without warning, luckily with no consequence. Fly safe would always be my advice

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That's true, Jonny, and I said that being safe is important. This was just to help those flyers who might have a problem lifting a kite in light wind and may not realize how much difference the line makes in those conditions. If the wind is likely to pick up, you need to be aware and ready to take action. The "singing" of a line certainly means it's under a lot of tension, and can make a good warning that it might not be up to the job in that wind. Manufacturers usually err on the side of caution (they don't want to be sued, of course, if a line breaks) but occasionally they just plain get it wrong, such as recommending 50lb line for something that would snap anything less than 200lb.

  • @ratoneJR
    @ratoneJR 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I need to remember all this.

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'm sure you know it anyway, just common sense, really!

    • @ratoneJR
      @ratoneJR 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@JimNicholls Knowing and remembering are sometimes two different things. Lol. Sucks to be getting older, but still better than the alternative.

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I agree - 80th birthday getting very close, and I never wanted to be 80, but...

  • @dutchbeef8920
    @dutchbeef8920 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I’ve purchased some kite line from a reputable supplier which is rated at 50lb its advertise as twisted polyester. I’m limited to 30 meters due to proximity to aerodrome so im wondering if there is any point in upgrading to some of the exotic materials mentioned? Would those be more durable/reliable over time?

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'd certainly recommend braided line over twisted line. The strength of the twisted one may be fine, but it tends, unless you are very careful, to become tangled quite easily.

  • @kitecrewireland
    @kitecrewireland 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great informative video Jim,every kite day is a different line day according to the winds 👌

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Sometimes it can change every five minutes, Brian. We just need to be aware and adapt to the circumstances.

  • @mrlionel1965
    @mrlionel1965 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Some decent common sense advice here. I usually fly my stuff on 100lb. It seems light enough, yet strong enough for most winds. For my harder pulling kites, I use 300lb. In the winds I was in the other day, the tadpole, which as you know is similar to the ladybug, was pulling very hard. I think the 300 lb line was probably about right. Those winds were probably an exception to what I would normally fly my stuff in.

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Sounds very reasonable, Ken. I use 300lb line quite a lot for the big sleds and the inflatables like the Tadpole, Ladybug etc. If you have enough wind, thicker line is good anyway as it's easier to handle. In fact, I hate thin line, but for light-wind flying it's often essential.

  • @fotonmom
    @fotonmom 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good information , Jim. I know I have been guilty of this...but I am a scaredy cat and afraid I will lose one of my treasures!

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Only applies in light wind, Priscilla, when your kite probably won't go far even if you break a line. But I've flown hundreds of kites thousands of times and never had a line break, so be brave!

  • @kimwimer7308
    @kimwimer7308 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Do you have to change out all the lines that attached to the kite. (I don't know what those lines are called) or just the long reel line?

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Just the flying line, not the other lines.

    • @lorv8628
      @lorv8628 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@JimNicholls what are those little kite lines called?

    • @JimNicholls
      @JimNicholls  ปีที่แล้ว

      I think the person was referring to bridle lines.@@lorv8628

  • @jare8990
    @jare8990 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great kite