How To Build A Sled Kite

2-Skewer Sled: Template, Tips, Step-By-Step eBook

Here's how to build a Sled kite! The Template and Tips might be sufficient, otherwise try the step-by-step eBook containing the MBK 2-Skewer Sled Kite instructions. In fact, the eBook covers the entire 2-Skewer Series of MBK kites.

The Template and Tips below should be enough if you are keen kite person. If you have put together a number of kites before, with a few different kinds of bridles, the 2-Skewer Sled will be quite easy. Everything you need, apart from the skewers perhaps, might already be lying around your house somewhere. I'm assuming you know how to build a Sled kite with low overall weight and appropriate knots.

The MBK 2-Skewer Sled Kite is a medium-sized sled 58 cm (2 feet) tall, with twin tails and a shallow V cut into the leading edge. The 2-Skewer Sled is a nice light-to-moderate wind flier.

The template shown above represents one side of the kite sail of course.

How To Build A Sled Kite - Tips

• 30cm bamboo BBQ skewers worked well for me. You might be working with 12" skewers, which is pretty much the same. Butt 2 skewers together for each spar, gluing on a short length of bamboo over each join.
• Try positioning the template so the edge of a bag becomes the center-line of the kite.
• For more durability, edge the sail with sticky tape. Over-doing it will increase weight and decrease stability though!
• Cap each spar tip with a single piece of tape, wrapped around and stuck on both sides of the plastic sail.
• Short lengths of electrical insulation tape can be doubled over each towing point so the bridle line can be attached.
• Tie a simple tail to each vertical spar. A length of about 3 times the height of the kite is a good starting point. Being an old hand, I'm sure you will experiment with more or less tail, depending on how the kite flies!

Just getting back to that eBook again, it's a nice reference if you want to try a whole range of different kites from time to time. The info is pitched at the beginner, with very detailed instructions on a range of kite-making topics.

However, the book is well-organized so the more experienced kite-maker can quickly scroll through and pick out bits of detail that are helpful or interesting. The long Table Of Contents helps too!

Click here for more info on the eBook 8 MBK Kites To Make - The Complete 2-Skewer Series.

How To Build A Sled Kite - Flying!

You know how to fly, so I won't elaborate here. Except to say that we have had plenty of good flights with the 2-Skewer Sled! Although a bit sensitive to rough air down low, this Sled is very efficient and quite well-behaved once it gets up a bit. It will easily sit at a 60 degree line angle in ideal winds.

With enough tail, and accurate construction, the kite will put up with fairly fresh winds too. When the flying line goes straight and starts buzzing, this Sled is pulling strongly!

Our original was made from bright orange 2-ply plastic, which worked well despite not being the very lightest sail plastic around. Bamboo has such a great strength to weight ratio.

Here's a picture of me and a small kiting assistant launching the MBK 2-Skewer Sled Kite, down at a local reserve.

Have fun flying, and I hope you've enjoyed seeing how to build a Sled kite the MBK way!

By the way, if you would rather make an even smaller Sled that is half as tall as the 2-Skewer design, why not try the 1-Skewer Sled kite instead. Or, going twice as tall, the nice big Dowel Sled kite could be just the ticket!

Last updated: 1 Jan 2010