i've read about this before, but still undecided whether to keep using it or not.

Ok, i did find my self in few situations where i had to quick release to the 5th, and it was great. But two times (over the period of two seasons), my 5th line snapped (near the bottom end). This happened when i was trying to relaunch using the 5th (i.e. when pulling the 5th to angle the kite which obviously applies some tension), and once on the beach when i was adjusting the depower on the 5th. Luckily i was still hooked in, so the kite didn't fly off, but if it happened after releasing to the 5th i would loose the kite and the kite could have injured bystanders. So my question is did this happen to anyone else, and if so, what's the point of the 5th line if you can't rely on it that it will stay attached to your kite.

Last night i didn't have the 5th (waiting for a replacement), so i attached the safety to the back line, and had to use that for the first time, and after the kite gracefuly depowered and dropped down (and it didn't even twist that much), i now don't see any difference when not using the 5th apart from having less lines to worry about. Also i'm speaking purely from the safety point of view.

Any expert advice / experiences here? thanks

I've been flying 5th line kites since I started in 2005 and don't think I'd go for a 4 line setup. I like knowing that my kite will completely depower, but stick with me on the 5th line. I fly North kites.

I've never heard of the 5th line breaking before, but then I probably release the safety about once per season, so it doesn't get much wear.

Mr float said...

what is the 'safety' that people keep referiing to ? Are you talking about a release or leash perhaps ?

THE safety i would take to mean, letting the kite go to the 5th line only and attached to your leash. whether from pulling the quick release chicken loop or just letting go of the bar when you're unhooked.

so "the safety" would refer to the 5th line on a leash i spose.

Am i missing the point?

Hmmm... sumpin nort write their Lizo??


More info on kite etc pweez?


Going out on a limb though it sounds as though your 5th is not a full spec line (as in could be used for front/rear lines) and some lighter/less strong line that has been used. Possibly there is a burr or sharp edge chaffing the line somewhere though?

If it is an old C kite then definately stick with a new full spec 5th line for safety/re-launch etc. If you let go on the rear line, as described, of an old C kite and didn't get major spiralling/tangles then the winds were pretty light and you were most likely very lucky.

The '07 Fuel's have the clamcleat for below the bar trimming of the 5th right?
I was using that setup (not on a Fuel) a while back and also had the 5th line snap where it runs through the bar. If i recall the section that runs through the bar can be replaced separately to the rest of the 5th line... or atleast i know it can on my current Naish SHIFT (5-liner) setup.
I guess it's just a matter of keeping an eye on it and giving it a pull test once in a while. It's just a little hard to simulate the sorts of strains a 5th line gets put under whilst your binning a kite into the water at Mach-1 during a failed loop.

colinwill78 said...

Mr float said...

what is the 'safety' that people keep referiing to ? Are you talking about a release or leash perhaps ?

THE safety i would take to mean, letting the kite go to the 5th line only and attached to your leash. whether from pulling the quick release chicken loop or just letting go of the bar when you're unhooked.

so "the safety" would refer to the 5th line on a leash i spose.

Am i missing the point?

I think alot of people are missing the point .
i'll explain

release :- used to release kite from where person is attached to kite via c loop
leash :- once kite is released from c loop rider is still attached to kite so it won't blow away .

With both as we all know **** can happen, launching and flying a large kite is inherantly risky (its written on most kites ) .unfortunately these systems when given nick names such as 'the safety" can give people a false sense of security ,just like "100 % depower bow kites" can

Don't get me wrong (and call me a pedantic boring old fart if you like) these systems are great developments and definitely make kiting safer (and getting used to where they are and using them too) but i reckon people should NEVER think that their system is infallible and calling it a 'safety" IMO is not a good idea (particularly if your directly upwind of rocks, buildings big groups of people ,kiting in cyclones and so on)