Date: Tue, 27 Sep 1994 10:21:48 -1000 From: andrew@tug.com (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: Organization: /usr/lib/news/organisation Subject: Buggy hooks A lurker asks by Email: > Pray tell, what is a buggy hook? How do you keep the lines from tangling, > when the kite is low, and possibly cutting off your legs? How do you let go > of the lines if you should ever (heaven forbid!) buggy in winds that may be > just a little too strong? How does it work better than a windsurfers harness > (which I use)? Thanks. A buggy hook is not unlike the hook on a clothes hanger that fits on the side rails. You hook the strap of your *DEAD*MAN*RELEASE* handles into them to transfer the load directly to the buggy. There is no problem with line tangling or cutting off legs, but steering movement is reduced and if you luff, by the time you have unhooked ready to run backwards to recover the kite, it has already fallen to the ground :-( The Dead-man-release handles are made by Peter Lynn and release the line when you let go of the handle. They are available for both 2-line and 4-line (the 4-line has a progressive release - first it releases the top [*] line, then when you release further it releases the bottom also) [*] I might have this the wrong way round... If you can't find 4-line handles, get your Dealer to hassle the distributor and don't give up 'till you get them (Peter doesn't sell 4-liners, so they arn't his to priority, but they are meant to be available...) Dead man release works better than a wind-surfer harness because you *stop* doing something to release the line. Windsurfer require you to pull harder than the kite to release the line, which may not be possible just at the time when you need it :-) People that I respect wear windsurfer gear, but you won't catch me doing it. Andrew -- Netiquette-of-the-day: Keep your signature to 4 lines or less You can FTP the kite FAQ's from ftp.hawaii.edu (directory /pub/rec/kites/faq) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =