(click on image for larger view)
Image Prism Designs, Inc. with permission
A good place to start is to familiarize yourself with the common names for the parts of a kite. For new flyers I recommend that you contact me (steve@gwtwkites) and we can set up a phone call and I can help you to determine exactly what you need to fix your kite. Yes I do sell parts but please feel free to contact me even if you are going to buy elsewhere.
Dual Line Kite Glossary
- batten - Length of fiberglass or carbon which fits in a pocket to add stiffness or shape to the sail. Often used for wing tip areas
- bridle - Lines that form the junction between kite and flying line. The bridle transmits the commands of the pilot to the kite. The bridle is made up of specific portions. The tow point (where flying lines are attached), in-haul (from the center T to the tow point) , upper out-haul (from upper spreader leading edge to the tow point) and, lower out-haul (from lower spreader leading edge to tow point)
- C-clip/stoppers - Hard plastic 'C' shaped clip that is glued in place to keep fittings in the proper spot. Stoppers can also be vinyl 'collars' or small o-rings.
- center t - Junction point of the spine and lower spreaders
- end cap - Vinyl cap that protects the kite from ware from rods (usually upper leading edges and spine). Also now commonly used on nocks to keep them tidy and to prevent wear
- ferrule - A length of rod or tubing used to join to spars together. Internal ferrules are used for wrapped rods, external for pultruded. Generally used to join upper and lower leading edges and lower spreaders
- frame - The skeletal structure of the kite
- leader lines - 3 meter (or longer) lengths of bridle line connected between the kites tow points and the flying ends of your line set. Helps to prevent wear to the trailing edge when rolling up your kite
- leading edge - Sides of the kite running from the nose to the wing tip
- leech line - Line that runs inside the trailing edge of the kite sail. Prevents vibration and noise
- nock - These are the hard caps that go on the end of the leading edge rods and have a groove in them used to tension the sail. Many people like to cover these with vinyl end caps to to keep things nice and neat and to and a bit of wear protection.
- nose - The top most part of the kite where the leading edges and the spine meet.
- sail - The pretty part of the kite. Can be made from Nylon, Polyester or other fabrics. (aka skin)
- spine - Rod that runs from nose to tail.
- spreader - Spars that run horizontally across the span of the kite opening out the sail. Most modern stunt kites will have 2 lower spreaders which run from the spine to the leading edge (joined at the center t), and one upper spreader which runs from leading edge to leading edge, although if a kite is smaller it may only have one spreader running from the leading edge to leading edge, (aka cross spars)
- stand off - short length of carbon or fiberglass which runs between the trailing edge and lower spreader (aka whisker)
- tow point - the part of the bridle to which the flying lines are attached
- trailing edge - the edge of the sail running from the wing tips to the tail. The trailing edge may have a leech line sewn in
- trick line - (aka cheater line) a line which runs from tip to tip through the end of the tail. It helps to prevent lines tangling 'round wing tips-especially useful for freestyle and tricks (uncommon on current sport kites)
- Yo-yo stopper - fittings arrached to the upper leading edge to catch the flying lines. Helps to maintain stability when kiyr is rolled up