After Portsmouth 2023 some spar pocket repairs were noted and one of the last pair of sails needed to be untwisted as it had been flipped. The central chromed steel loops will need to be replaced as they are rusting and also are a trap for the lower bridle leg lines.
On the bench in preparation 18th August 2023.
One white tail removed prior to flipping the sail back to the correct position. Re-positioning the bridle lines correctly for the flipped sail is a three dimensional puzzle.
The tails are secured ready to be disconnected during maintenance.
Replacement stainless steel rings have been ordered and the pockets re-sewn as needed 21st August 2023.
The bridle lines have been measured, for the record. The emergency repair knot fixing one of the lower bridles to the main line appears to have held position. The knot was tied in the downpour at Berrington and the kite flew there and subsequently at Portsmouth.
Ring replacement size comparison.
All set.
Consolidating the edges of the spar pockets where the fabric is fraying seemed like a good idea.
A practical solution preventing accidental closure by the PVA using glossy electrical tape.
The 1mm polyester line arrived 30th August so a complete set of lower bridle lines have been prepared. It is to be hoped that this line is sufficiently 'stretchy' compared to the original.
At this point, with the sails on the bench it seemed sensible to take basic measurements and consider the possibility of measuring each sail layout!
The measurement of the sails were previously given as 90 x 90cm but this was not correct as at 4th September 2023!
The sails are 79.2 x 79.2cm squares, 112cm diagonally.
The bridle lines have been re-measured as at 13th September 2023 but there is not much real consistency with a previous attempt. Where lines have been broken and retied replacements have now been set in parallel, secured with prusic loops. Some previous markings on the last set of main lines were noted. The distances between the pairs of kites should be recorded at some point but this was not practical on the bench!
