Sode Kite Plans

For All The MBK Sodes

These Sode kite plans and hints are aimed at summarizing the more in-depth instructions to be found in those eBooks down there on the left.

The eBooks include these exact plans and tips as well. Perhaps the nicest thing about the eBook on Dowel Kites is the handy way they are all designed to come apart and roll up like a Sled!

For the Dowel kite plan below, there is also a pair of plan view photos. The one on the left is of the front surface. That is, the surface of the flying kite which faces the flier. The other photo is of the back surface, which exposes the spars.

For all 3 designs, attach flying line to the bridle with a shiftable knot, for later trimming. Also, all 3 designs work well with light single-ply plastic for sail material. Many types of large plastic bags are suitable.

Dowel Sode Kite Plans

Tips And Hints

1. For a dowel length of 1.2 meters (4 feet), 5mm (3/16") dowel works well.
2. Reinforce the sail edges by adding nearly the full width of clear sticking tape inside the outline, then trimming back to the outline.
3. Secure the sail to each spar end using 2 short lengths of electrical insulation tape. One length goes over and around the tip, the other at 90 degrees to the first tape.
4. For the bridle, try an upper loop of 1 dowel length and a lower loop of 1.5 times one dowel length. Connect the 2 loops with another 1 dowel length of flying line.
5. To help keep the upper main horizontal spar in position, make a short loop of flying line. Lark's Head it to the middle of the bow-line, and secure the other end to the nose of the kite. Do similarly for the lower main horizontal spar, putting the loop around the bottom tip of the vertical spar. Thus the 2 horizontal spars are tensioned away from each other.
6. No tail is required for this kite, if flown in light or moderate winds.

Plan View Photos

The eBook The Dowel Sode Kite - Light Wind Version bundles together these plans, detailed step-by-step instructions and a whole lot more.

2-Skewer Sode Kite Plans

Tips And Hints

1. reinforce all the skewer joins with 2 lengths of skewer, 0.15SL long, glued to both sides of the join as in the plan - while gluing the spars with dihedral, the short reinforcers stay flat on the table
2. reinforce the sail edges by adding clear sticking tape over the outlines, then trimming back to the outlines as you cut out the sail
3. secure the sail to the spar ends using short lengths of electrical insulation tape
4. try a 5 skewer-length bridle line, tied between the upper and lower attachment points
5. for a start, try making a single tail about 4 times as long as the kite is high

1-Skewer Sode Kite Plans

Tips And Hints

1. reinforce the skewer join with 2 lengths of skewer, 0.1SL long, glued to both sides of the join as in the plan
2. reinforce the sail edges by adding clear sticking tape over the outlines, then trimming back to the outlines as you cut out the sail
3. secure the sail to the spar ends using short lengths of clear sticking tape
4. try a 3 skewer-length bridle line, tied between the upper and lower attachment points
5. for a start, try making a single tail about 4 times as long as the kite is high

I hope one of these Sode kite plans is just right for you!

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Last updated: 12 Jun 2010