Triangular Box Kite Strings

by Bri
(Dimock, PA, USA)

Q:

Where do I place the strings on my triangular box kite? I have tried many times to place them where they will make the kite fly, but failed.

A:

Firstly, a triangular box kite made with traditional materials will need quite a bit of wind to fly well. Even more than an equivalent traditional square box design. Mind you, a very modern one with graphite spars and 1/2 ounce rip-stop sails might go OK in just a light breeze! However, assuming you are out on a day with a nice fresh breeze blowing, here's the bridle positions...

A standard design has both cells covering 30% of the kite's total length. The kite should actually fly with the flying line attached directly to one of the long spars (longerons), at the trailing edge of the upper cell. Or a little further towards the nose of the kite, along the spar.

If this is confusing, just click on this link to my Box Kites page, and scroll about half-way down. There, you will find a black-and-white illustration of a triangular box kite. See where the line is attached!

If you want to use a 2-leg bridle to keep the kite a little steadier in the air, cut off some flying line to at least twice the length of the kite itself. Attach one end of this bridle line close to the nose of the kite. Attach the other end somewhere near the middle of the spar, or a bit further back towards the lower cell. Just in front of the leading edge of the lower cell is good. The important thing is to get the flying line attached so the knot is directly over the trailing edge of the upper cell. Or a little further towards the nose of the kite, just like the single-line arrangement described earlier.

This should be a good start. The position where the flying line is attached is called the towing point. You can experiment with shifting the towing point further towards the nose. If the towing point is too far from the nose however, the kite just won't fly no matter what the wind strength.

Have fun flying that kite!