Forums > Kitesurfing General

Splicing my first set of lines

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Created by Jonaszw > 9 months ago, 6 Apr 2020
Jonaszw
1 posts
6 Apr 2020 7:12AM
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Hi

Let me start by saying that I have already searched on this forum and find some information everywhere, but I do not fully find the answer to my questions. The information I found is from many years ago so it does not seems to be up to date. It's a bit confusing to me that's why I started a new topic, but if this topic is out of place, please let me know and I will move it to where it belongs.

A few weeks ago I started searching for information about replacing and making kite lines myself. The guy from premium ropes told me that if I splice the lines I would get the best result, which I learned since then. On kiteforums I often read the discussion about whether splicing, knot or sleeving kitelines, so I have chosen to effectively opt for splicing like the guy from premium ropes suggested. So I would not like to have this discussion here again unless there is a significant drawback to splicing that I overlook.

Now that I manage splicing relatively well, I wanted to put this into practice and replace my first lines on my NAISH ATB 2019 BAR. My power line had broken at sea, so I had to replace it. It was a 24m line that I wanted to replace, but due to an incorrect delivery of premium ropes, the plan was unfortunately changed to 20m lines.

Unfortunately, I now have some problems that I hope I can get an answer to. These are all about the length of the lines and especially measuring the identical length on both lines.

- After a lot of trying (attaching the lines to a fixed point and then pulling hard on the other side and cutting the lines) I managed to cut 4 exact lines and also splice them on one side. Now that I placed this on my Naish bar, I have unfortunately noticed that my safety lines are MUCH shorter than my steering lines. Which is strange, because the should be the same lenght as my steering lines. It is about a difference of 1 to 2m. Probably a ridiculous question, but what am I doing wrong? I've cut the lines the exact same lenght and I can't imagine I lost about 2 meters wile splicing the lines. Even if the bar is fully powdered, the difference is still way to large I think.

- In addition, I wondered from what length the difference in length becomes clear on the bar while flying the kite. Obviously, the steering lines and safety lines must each have the same length, but is a difference of a few millimeters or maybe even a centimeter already noticeable? Measuring the right lenght for all lines is very difficult for me, sometimes I just have a few millimeters difference when splicing.

Thanks for the help.

KPSS Used
NSW, 372 posts
Site Sponsor
6 Apr 2020 11:54AM
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Select to expand quote
Jonaszw said..
Hi

Let me start by saying that I have already searched on this forum and find some information everywhere, but I do not fully find the answer to my questions. The information I found is from many years ago so it does not seems to be up to date. It's a bit confusing to me that's why I started a new topic, but if this topic is out of place, please let me know and I will move it to where it belongs.

A few weeks ago I started searching for information about replacing and making kite lines myself. The guy from premium ropes told me that if I splice the lines I would get the best result, which I learned since then. On kiteforums I often read the discussion about whether splicing, knot or sleeving kitelines, so I have chosen to effectively opt for splicing like the guy from premium ropes suggested. So I would not like to have this discussion here again unless there is a significant drawback to splicing that I overlook.

Now that I manage splicing relatively well, I wanted to put this into practice and replace my first lines on my NAISH ATB 2019 BAR. My power line had broken at sea, so I had to replace it. It was a 24m line that I wanted to replace, but due to an incorrect delivery of premium ropes, the plan was unfortunately changed to 20m lines.

Unfortunately, I now have some problems that I hope I can get an answer to. These are all about the length of the lines and especially measuring the identical length on both lines.

- After a lot of trying (attaching the lines to a fixed point and then pulling hard on the other side and cutting the lines) I managed to cut 4 exact lines and also splice them on one side. Now that I placed this on my Naish bar, I have unfortunately noticed that my safety lines are MUCH shorter than my steering lines. Which is strange, because the should be the same lenght as my steering lines. It is about a difference of 1 to 2m. Probably a ridiculous question, but what am I doing wrong? I've cut the lines the exact same lenght and I can't imagine I lost about 2 meters wile splicing the lines. Even if the bar is fully powdered, the difference is still way to large I think.

- In addition, I wondered from what length the difference in length becomes clear on the bar while flying the kite. Obviously, the steering lines and safety lines must each have the same length, but is a difference of a few millimeters or maybe even a centimeter already noticeable? Measuring the right lenght for all lines is very difficult for me, sometimes I just have a few millimeters difference when splicing.

Thanks for the help.


Take the lines off your bar again and attach them to a fixed point and stretch them out, if they are all the same length great. If not check them as pairs, the front lines (safety lines as you seem to be calling them) should be as close to the same length as possible, same with the rears. If they are more than a 5mm different you will notice that when using them with any kite. The kite will tend to steer a bit one way, and you will find it annoying, but not unsafe. If they are more than 2cm different they should be re-spliced.

Not knowing much about the Naish control bar you have but from your description it seems that there is a difference between the length of the rear line bar leaders and the trimmer/centre line system? You could make short spliced extensions to make the lines equal when all 4 lines are connected to a common point and the trimmer system is fully out (powered). All 4 lines should be equal with about 3cm between the top pf the chicken loop and that bar.

snalberski
WA, 857 posts
6 Apr 2020 3:11PM
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As KPSS states if you detach all 4 lines from your bar and they are all equal length under equal stretching force, say a 20kg weight plate, theoretically all is correct PROVIDED that is the way the original line set is.
Most companies have line sets this way but there are exceptions for instance Slingshot whose front and rear lines are different by around .75 of a meter or more.... which for me was a purchase deal breaker.
I know nothing about Naish line sets but before you do anything drastic make sure you are calibrating the lines correctly which needs to be done with the depower line fully released and the bar fully or almost fully sheeted in, as indicated above.



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"Splicing my first set of lines" started by Jonaszw