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Any advice? DIY bridle pulley mod - 14m Ozone

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Created by Toz > 9 months ago, 29 Oct 2012
Toz
WA, 5 posts
29 Oct 2012 5:05AM
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I am wondering if anyone can help me with a bridle modification I am trying on a 14m Ozone Instinct 2009/2010.

The kite has a massive bar pressure when powered up, it feels like you are holding all the power of the kite in your arms and not on the front lines. Not pleasant to fly at all as my forearms cramp whenever I try to power up the kite.

Couple of things, i have tried the kite on shorter lines  to reduce the bar pressure (not ideal as it is a light wind kite) and have tried shortening the back lines (just means that kite sits on the stopper and can't be de-powered).

The kite has no pulleys in its bridle, my other kites generally have a pulley in the front lines in some way or form. I think I'm starting to get a handle on how the pulleys tweak the balance of the kite when the angle of attack changes. Has any one had any experience with a bridle modification like this? Any tips, gems or info to impart?

Currently comparing a few different bridle systems on other kites on the ground and in the air to see how I go. 

Unfortunately I am stranded in a small beach town in south America with a lot of time on my hands and can't just buy another kite on Seabreeze ;(

Skid
QLD, 1499 posts
29 Oct 2012 1:55PM
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Is it possible the front lines have stretched?
I would have thought shortening the back lines would have made the problem worse not better?
In my humble opinion I wouldn't be changing the bridle but would be spend some time making sure the line lengths are ok.
Is the kite depowered with the bar out and slightly oversheeted with the bar in? (ie make sure it is not powered up with the bar out and way oversheeted with teh bar in).
Not sure if this helps you?

Good luck

Wisha
SA, 255 posts
29 Oct 2012 7:07PM
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Last attachment point forms the balance between front and back lines (bar pressure).

Here is some work I did with Ocean Rodeo you can use as a guide.
http://oceanrodeo.com/forums/viewthread/2038/
&
oceanrodeo.com/forums/viewthread/2167/

Basically you want to move the last front line attachment point towards a wingtip.
I did this at pulley location 2 (see links above).

WARNING - I tried point F/E, but it was too effective, ie no bar pressure, which means no depower (ie sheeting out has no effect). However, F-One and Cabrinha use this method.
So test it in a big open space, light wind. Tie a backup rope from chicken loop to a fence/tree to be safe (like how you would do a self launch, except leave it attached). Trying to self land a fully powered up kite with no depower is not fun.

29 Oct 2012 10:22PM
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DrToz said...

I am wondering if anyone can help me with a bridle modification I am trying on a 14m Ozone Instinct 2009/2010.

The kite has a massive bar pressure when powered up, it feels like you are holding all the power of the kite in your arms and not on the front lines. Not pleasant to fly at all as my forearms cramp whenever I try to power up the kite.

Couple of things, i have tried the kite on shorter lines  to reduce the bar pressure (not ideal as it is a light wind kite) and have tried shortening the back lines (just means that kite sits on the stopper and can't be de-powered).

The kite has no pulleys in its bridle, my other kites generally have a pulley in the front lines in some way or form. I think I'm starting to get a handle on how the pulleys tweak the balance of the kite when the angle of attack changes. Has any one had any experience with a bridle modification like this? Any tips, gems or info to impart?

Currently comparing a few different bridle systems on other kites on the ground and in the air to see how I go. 

Unfortunately I am stranded in a small beach town in south America with a lot of time on my hands and can't just buy another kite on Seabreeze ;(



Don't modify the bridle, and especially don't put pulleys in it. Rob Whittall Ozone's kite designer,did not think it needed them, thats good enough for me!
Check your line lengths, the Instinct Light, did not have high bar pressure so something is not quite right with your setup.
Does the bridle look original?

kiteboy dave
QLD, 6525 posts
29 Oct 2012 9:58PM
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DrToz if you really want help take photos and post up here: Bridle + Bar end of lines+ Line lengths maybe? Something is definitely wrong with your setup as you're talking about a kite known for super-light bar pressure.



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"Any advice? DIY bridle pulley mod - 14m Ozone" started by Toz