Is there any simple solution for a clip on style adjustable stopper for the bar throw? I find i cannot reach the bar comfortably when unspinning the bar or ruining my stance in the big gusts. I'd also prefer to maintain a bit of power rather than 100% depower.
It looks like most of the kite brands have there own proprietary stoppers, some for 2/3 centre lines. Mines an older style bar with just a single thick centre line. I was thinking along the lines of some sort of clipable float or rope bobble thing that doesn't need knots, and can be just taken on and off as desired.
Cheers,
Mike be able to make these work.
www.jpwmarine.com.au/anchor-mooring/rope-chain/rope-splicing-accessories
Scroll down to the Shockcord clips, also known as olives.
Funny you ask this, during the off season I developed a single line sliding stopper. I was going to post some pics on the forum when I had completed my SLE "UN hooker", which I have not finished yet.
My sliding stoper is basically 40mm plastic round stopper (like the round balls with a hole through it that you find on the end of your depower line).
Two opposite sides are cut parallel to each other and a 5mm slot drilled through. Stainless steal screw and nilok nut is bolted through loosely allow the screw to move up and down.
The centre line passes through the original hole, running unde the SS screw.
When the centre line is slack the ball moves freely and when the line is taught it locks up by pulling the screw down, too release push the screw up. If you need a bit more slip increase the length of the slot or the original hole.
As you noticed it is very difficult to describe, so I will post a pic sometime.
While I am here, I will describe my SLE "Unhooker". I have quite a grunty SLE and find it difficult to unhook (not that I can unhook).
So the ideal is, shaft with a groove to fit the depower line cut down the length and a hole drilled through the end to fit the depower line. The other end is shaped to fit the hole through the bar. The "Unhooker" goes between the CL and the bar.
When you want to unhook, pull the "Unhooker" up so that the depower line sits in the groove and pull the bar towards you so that the shaped end of the unhooker goes into the centre hole of the bar, and unhook.
Now the length of the "unhooker" should be around 3 to 4 inch's long, but it can be cut to suit. The 3 to 4 inchs allows you not to pull to much depower allowing you to power up readily once hooked back in, the "Unhooker" drops down once you hook back in and the bar moves up the centre line or if you release to safety.
I am giving away top secret ideas so keep it under wraps, if any kite companies steal my ideas, I want a quiver of kites in payment.
Cheers
Rich
Oh yea,
Eclipse kites had stopper made out of a clam cleat incased in plastic and bit of rope to pull to release, I had one but lost it when some C$#t stole my tool bag.
Worked very well, if not to well, lock it in place and it never moved, pull the rope to release the clam cleat.
Also very easy to make but Tightlines may have a couple lying around.
RRD stoppers work on normal and plastic sleaved lines, see SOS.
Cheers
Rich
north stopper fits core lines although you need to cut the plastic away a little to allow mini fifth to move freely. locks onto new depower rope better than worn ones.
Here's the photo's as promised, thinking about using two balls or larger nuts either side of the screw to make it easier to release. Sounds dirty .
To make the stopper suit your line diameter, either enlarge the entry hole or lengthen the slotted hole so its closer to the entry hole for smaller rope.
Another idea instead of paying over priced prices for the depower line is to buy 6mm or so dyneema line (I think it is dyneema, usually non-round and coated with a plasticky film) and thread it through itself increasing the diameters, strength and stiffness - and it also suits it if you need an eye on one end to secure the chicken loop. Mine seems to be holding up very nicely.
Cheers
Rich
Thanks for all your suggestions, will be looking into them.
Richswing- looks just like what I'm after. Might end up going the home made route will see.
Tightlines- i'd be interested on taking a look. Will PM you.
Cheers,
I havent tried them, but these 6mm to 8mm cord locks might work.
www.bouncingrabbit.co.uk/page5.htm
And Clamcleats sell the EZ-LOCKhttp://www.clamcleat.com/applications/application_details.asp?theid=46