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Kite Talk Forum Public Forum Single-Line Kites ANCHOR FAILURE...GONE WITH THE WIND !
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ANCHOR FAILURE...GONE WITH THE WIND !
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ANCHOR FAILURE...GONE WITH THE WIND !
I have been collecting and flying kites for over 30 years, and I often wonder if some kites have a distinct personality all their own. I mean some kites just seem to love to be taken out and flown...easy to transport, easy to assemble in the field, easy to get up and take down, and will fly in almost any kind of wind. On the other hand, some kites just seem to resent being flown... as if you are depriving them of their liberty by getting them out and tethering them to the ground.
I have one kite of the latter type...a moderately sized flow-form (a little over 200 square feet) that I have named "Reggie", after an all-state linebacker that beat me up in high school. I have flown Reggie many times, and he always seems angry about it...bulky, difficult to anchor, very picky about wind speed, requires at least two people to launch, and always resists being taken down.
Last week-end Reggie got his revenge. I had the kite up at Lake Hefner in OKC with an 85 foot banner tail in perfect 15-20 mph winds, anchored with two 30 inch construction stakes and a 24 inch screw down, when a sudden gust of what had to be 35-40 mph wind granted Reggie his freedom. He ripped the anchor completely out of the ground and floated slowly...proudly...out into Lake Hefner...freed from the surly bonds of earth. Free at last ! Free at last ! Thank God Almighty, I am free at last ! From a distance Reggie actually looked like he was smiling ! It was something to see ! I wish I could have gotten my camera out fast enough to get a picture.
Fortunately, with assistance from members of the OKC Boat Club, I was able to recover the kite, which suffered no damage save a foul lake-water smell. After I got him dried out and back in his cinch-sack, I thought I could hear him thinking..."Hey, Dude, you need a better anchor, or next time I'm not coming home"
Taught me a lesson.
Charlie
Thank you
Re: ANCHOR FAILURE...GONE WITH THE WIND !
Great story Charlie, yup, got a kite that has his own head. Bad news is, it's probly my fault , I made the kite. :>(
BTW , were you up to Enid at the AKA convention.
CLIFF
- cliffordjquinn
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Re: ANCHOR FAILURE...GONE WITH THE WIND !
Great story Charlie! Thank you.
Yes Cliff - he was at AKA/enid
- Cat Gabrel
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- 20 Posts
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Re: ANCHOR FAILURE...GONE WITH THE WIND !
charlesfostercox,
Great story Charles! Our paths probably crossed at Enid last year. When the wind is up, I use a four foot auger for my kite anchor. Have never lost the anchor, but snapped some 100-200 test lines and bent the anchor! I gave up on the little dog stake screw in the ground anchors when the handles broke off in this Texas Black Clay! geo
Re: ANCHOR FAILURE...GONE WITH THE WIND !
My preference for an anchor is a solid - sturdy piece of pipe with the line connected at ground level. The secret is to use a second stake with a line attached at the bottom tied to the top of the first stake. If you have a good angle it is normally trouble free. IF the wind is shifting two 2nd anchor stakes behind the first are called for.
The jerking of the kite line causes the first stake to wallow out the hole and it eventually fails. IF you have the second stake it prevents the first stake from failing.
I also like to use a stake behind a sand anchor to keep it from sliding out of the hole and I have never lost a kite to a bad anchor... I have come close but keeping an eye on things you can fix the problem before it progresses to failure. Of course I have cut or snapped a few lines and so far all the kites have made it back home.
Check out Gomberg kites anchor section for more information. Some people seem to go overboard on anchors and others are too trusting. I would rather error on the side of safety.
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