Bridle for Dopero Kite

by Doug Martindale
(Elkhorn, WI, USA)

Q:

I bought and downloaded your plans for the Dopero kite. The pictures of how the bridle goes are not very clear. Is the top loop from the top spar to the top spar? And the bottom loop from bottom to bottom? Then, connect the two loops?

Please send clear picture if you can.

A:

You are quite right Doug. As you can see from the photo up there, where I have edited in some yellow lines to represent the bridle.

The upper bridle loop is anchored a short distance outboard from each vertical spar. Use slip knots, fixed with a drop of wood glue. The lower bridle loop is anchored to the free corners of the keels, with a Lark's Head in each case. And finally, the central bridle line goes from the center of the upper bridle loop to the center of the lower bridle loop.

The flying line could be attached directly to the central bridle line, as implied by the yellow lines on the photo, using a sliding knot such as the Prusik. But, to avoid tying and un-tying the knot all the time, my instructions specify another short length of line between the bridle and the flying line. This means you can just Lark's Head the flying line on and off as required.

Now, on reading the eBook instructions for the Dopero kite bridle, I found a little error which would have only made things more confusing for you! It says...

"Poke holes in the plastic, on either side of the upper horizontal spar. Four holes altogether, 0.24DL (288mm, 11 1/2") from the vertical spar, as indicated by the 4 yellow dots in the photo."

Well, that should read "...from the sail center-line ..." not "... from the vertical spar..." For a start, this kite has two vertical spars doesn't it!

OK, I'll fix that online and a little later in the eBook for future customers.

I'm glad you queried this. The single most common thing which prevents people having success with kite making seems to be getting the bridle wrong. Even if it is attached OK, it still has to be adjusted correctly! For some months now, I have realized this could be a bit of a weak point in my instructions for all the kites. Hence the next revision of my eBooks will really brush them up in this area. The information is all there, right now, but it just could be made easier.

Let us all know how your kite goes, or post again for more help if required. The Dowel Dopero loves light to moderate breezes and sails straight overhead at the slightest sniff of rising air... Even at 400 feet!