For those of you that are not happy with your sonics bar setup, here is something to ponder.

Since my sonic broke at the chicken loop I have been trying various bar combinations, this seems to be the best so far.

I’ve started with a slingshot chicken loop connected to a length of 6mm marlow excel racing line (breaking strain of 1500kg) and it’s run through the bar to the cleat at the top of the trim line that connects the front lines via a swivel. And a nice little ski rope ball to top it off. The safety connects to the base of the trim line.

The marlow excel racing line works a lot better in the cleat than the original amsteel. All the bits n pieces were purchased from a chandlery for about $20 except the chicken loop. It was purchased from briskites for a good price. Simple and very effective and still allows total depower of the kite, and is a lot easier to trim.

Pics for your visual pleasure.

www.seabreeze.com.au/gallery/gallery.asp?imageid=1890
www.seabreeze.com.au/gallery/gallery.asp?imageid=1891

crakas, looks great... very similar to early sling shot fuel style. Just a couple of questions. Are you riding with safety leash and at what point are you attaching ie up high on the oh sh#t ring on somewhere on the slingshot chicken loop. Secondly, have you found it difficult to reach cleat at all ??? To me it overcomes the biggest drawback with sonics bar... the mechanics are all wrong... GK assume that you will be in control when you need to depower... as a learner, I can definitely say that that is not always the case, and I would prefer an easier depower rather than rely on the safety ... which at the current stage of my progression ,results in a combination of frustration, and embarrassment. I managed to survive sailing skiffs for thirty years, and the one thing that I have learnt is that there is always a better way to do something,and that each person will have a preference to suit their needs. As a new comer I still don't know what my needs are ...yet, but I can identify that your solution is well suited to me ... I have an old slingshot as well,
Thanks

Crak,
glad to see you are looking to improve the woeful bar that comes with the kite.
A few points:
-unless you are flying the 8m you should move the leaders to the outside hole to improve turning response (see the pics on the link below)
-total throw should be 1.1m to get full depower (in theory)
-it's a long reach to the cleat (see my mods for an alternative)
-I'd be surprised if the swivel will work under load (Slingshot make a better one)

Here is the link
http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2323760&highlight=supersonic

Rob,
My Mum lives on Bribie but it's never windy when I visit. What's up with that?

Cheers

Mike

Rob,

The safety is connected to the bowline knot at the chiken loop, it can just about be connected anywhere you like (depower line or steel ring on front line).

Yes I can reach the ball to adjust the trim line, it is also heaps easier to adjust. The setup I made brings the bar approx 50mm closer to your body at full power and also has the bar 50mm closer to you at full depower over the original setup.

The knot above the ball is there as a guide, so I don't trim the kite so it back stalls too much.

Kitesuffer,

I saw your setup ages ago and looked at it many times and considered it, but I wanted to keep it as simple as possible. That swivel was chosen because of it's length, to allow total depower.

Crakas

Kitesuffer Mike,
I moved to Bribie 9years ago...built a house and designed it with lots of windows - never opened most of them - too windy??. I bought a boat to go fishing - could never get out - too windy??. Figured it had beat me - thought I would try kiting - not windy enough ??. But
seriously Red Beach is good for E/SE to SW, Sylvan Beach in the Passage is good for extreme Southerly or Westerly, Turners Camp in Passage is good in strong NE. and 30 mile of ocean beach. In Summer the Sea Breeze kicks at about 10.30 am. and is contsant at about 12 noon. The water has its deep spots but many sand banks and silt up areas allow for the walk of shame. At this stage no crowds and granny walking her dog hasn't worked out anything to complain about. Bribie Island is a National Park so who out of the shire council or the state government has control is unclear ... so if we treat it right it should stay a fun place to kite.

Hey guys I noticed that you have both reused the standard sonic cleat.. Just for your info a cleat of the same brand but designed more for this operation is available from Ronstan Aus. and sold thru chandlerys locally for $30.00. Its main function is for adjustable trapeze wires on sailing dinghies and you will find that it grabs and locks quicker because of pulley offset and tighter angle of pull. Its part number is Ronstan RF5121, and I'm sure other brands like Harken have similar. Also for your swivels try Ronstan RF78 ball race swivel, about 50mm long - abit chunky - but work well under load(rated to about 1000kg)

Thanks Rob,
I have had a couple of good sessions at Sandstone point on the other side of the bridge but last time I went there there was an algal bloom warning!

I might be there this winter. I'll let you know if I am.

Cheers

Mike