Tune your Slingshot kite for winter riding

[Tighe]

When our temps drop down near 0 or below the softer materials become more brittle on some of the components. Here's a few simple remedies.

Slingshot T2/T3s
If you have one of these kites you may notice the steering becomes a bit more difficult in the winter due to the stiffening of the leader lines going through the pulleys. Or worse yet you've cracked the tubes that cover the lines. In either case you may want to put on a set of winter leader lines. Unfortunately SS is out of them and won't have any for a month. So here's what I recommend.
- buy some sprectra line 5mm-8mm in diameter. 20ft is more than enough. West marine sells it by the foot or many places sell it online (cheaper option)
- lay your lines out as you would when setting up. The leaders can be taken off easily from the bar end. Remove the side that attaches to the center lines first, take it through the pulley then, remove the loop to loop at the flying line.
-make a clean cut on one end of your spectra, sear it with a match then form a figure 8 knot as near to the end as you can. You could also do the knot first then cut and sear one end. Using the stock leader lines as a guide cut the spectra, giving a few extra inches for the knot. Cut another piece with quite a bit extra for two knots (0ne on each end) Feed the end without the knot through the pulley. Tie another firgure 8 knot and move it up and down the line until it is the same length as the stock leader lines. Cut and sear end. Repeat for the opposite side. Instead of a loop to loop attachment at the flying line just larks head the flying line onto the knot on the leader line.

Dick broke off?
If your donkey dick breaks off in the really cold temps, you can easily replace it with lower durometer rubber tubing available at most hardware stores. The stock one is held in place with a set screw. I suggest filling the new tube with something line a line or a bit of silicone/caulk on the end that the screw goes into. Otherwise you're just going into one wall of the tubing and it can be a bit weak.

Want a smaller loop?
The chicken loop on most SS bars can be made smaller by loosening the 3 screws on one side and sliding the tubing through. Replace the 3 screws and cut off the excess. It may take a bit of work to feed the tube through, but if you twist it a bit it goes easier. If you want to be doing unhooked stuff, I'd leave it big for rehooking.

Leaky bladder?
Our cold winters do a number on the valves of most kites. The last few generations of SS kites have a new clip that snugs the plug into the valve. If you have an older kite and your bladder is leaking at the port, I'll have some extra clips in a week or so to help you "hold it" longer.

Hope that helps.

[Terry Dunklee]

Thanks Tighe. Nice tips. Please save one of the clips for me.

[Dean Rizer]

Tighe, thanks that's really useful information. Would it be possible for you to post a picture of the improved leader lines? I think I got it but a picture....
I've previously shortened most of my chicken loops and as a result I've had to shorten my donkey dicks. The shortened versions seem to work a little better in the cold. I'm going to try making a few of your suggested improved versions.

Thanks Tighe!

[JimPat]

Thanks for the info mister Tighe! I have wanted to ask your thoughts on the conversion of the T3 bridle from 2-1 to 1-1; advantages disadvantages? I see you can also convert the bar-pulley set up. If you convert the bridles do you also have to convert the bar? How does converting the bar affect the kite? Thanks, Jim H

[kiteboymn]

Boy oh boy,alot of people seem to be snapping off their dicks lately!
This cold "snap" is a real BEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTCH! The newest style of of donkey (SS) is almost impossible to work with in super cold weather just cuz the last 3 inches is filled with some kind resin ( so it won't flex and come unhooked when your all tweaked up) your idea of changing it out for now is a good one.


Toad

[Tighe]

GOOD NEWS:
they now have the Winter Leader lines in and available.

http://buyslingshotsports.com/s.nl?it=A ... gory=12408

Pat,
While the 1 to 1 mode would ellimate the issue with the line going through the pulley, I personally don't like the kite in that mode. It turns a lot slower and isn't as reactive in terms of depower. I only tried the 14m. I heard it is a bit better in the smaller sizes. You need to adjust the rear line attachement point, add the extension to the rear lines that is in the pocket on the kite, AND mod the bar so the lines don't go through the pulley. Simple mod...takes about 10 minutes.

Toad
You can take that resin out of the donkey dick by putting a screw in it and pulling it out with a set of plyers. The dick is still stiff, just bends in more places so less likely to break.

ride on

[Tighe]

Just got the small valve clips in. Let me know if you've got a leaky bladder ; )

Also, Midwest is equipped with some other needed parts

Donkey Dick with resin plug $4.00 (arriving 1/15)
Donkey Dick without resin plug (limited supplies) $4.00 (arriving 1/15)
Winter Turbo leader lines (TD, T2, T3) $18.00
Clip n Ride (chicken loop assembly for B series and older kites)- $10

[Terry Dunklee]

I switched my T2 leader lines last week using Spectra line from White Bear Boat works. They stock several sizes of spectra, sail cloth, sail tape, Harken pulleys, aquaseal, and Marine-tex among many other nautical goodies. My T2 turns much better and depowers much more quickly and smoothly with the change of leader lines. Thanks Tighe. I'd like to get one of the clips from you next time we're riding together.

[Dudes]

Tighe, will the leader lines work for the T1 Powerstroke bar? Also, I'm wondering if you can suggest what to do for a problem. At the end of the depower handle of used setup I bought, there's no leash ring. It's as though it snapped off but I'm not sure. If I replaced the Turbo C-loop line, would it come with a new ring?

http://buyslingshotsports.com/s.nl/it.A ... gory=12408

[Tighe]

There was two versions of the Turbo Diesel I. Mid year they sent out an update to the bar, which moved the leash attachment above the bar. Attaching the leash to the adjustment strap will not fully flag the kite. If you want to attach your leash below the bar you can either attach it to the rope above the end knob or for a spinning version you can clip it to the double line above the CL. Again I stress that this will not fully depower/flag the kite. You would still have your QR on your leash if you needed to completely separate from the kite....could expensive.

If the kites in good shape, you might consider purchasing a T3 bar.

[Dudes]

Brilliant! Thanks a lot and since the kite is indeed in good shape, I'll look into a T3 bar for sure.
Noah