BayAreaKiteboarding.com

So, after two months of all out kiting on the Crossbow, I finally broke a line. Unfortunately it was at the GG Bridge during the latter half of an ebb. The tug boat folks and Coast Guard are a great friendly bunch willing to help a mutch needed floundering limp kiter.
So, after one rescue, and no time to buy new lines before the next session (work, life, etc.), I decided to try out my 15m Q-Power lines with the Crossbow. This was on Friday, 10/7. I've used the Q-power lines on my Fuel kites before, no problem. Rigged, launched, felt good. Now, if you don't know, one of Q-Power's claims is the lack of needing line sleeves. I think they ought to refigure that one... So, I'm heading out, first reach, testing out the feel of the bow on 15m lines. Feels good. Quick, twitchy, just fine. I launch a few good air sessions, no problems. Ok, feels like I'm ready to rip. So, I launch one big air, coming down I throw a kite loop in to power through, POW! Oh, man! I look down, one line is coiled up around me, the rest holding on to a thrashing kite. Since the topic here is q-power and crossbows, I won't go into the details of that rescue. The coast guard is getting to know me, twice in one week.
The issue: the size of the line for the Q-Power is not strong enough to hold the front lines of the Crossbow. I was on a 12m in heavy winds. When flying in these conditions, the front lines of the crossbow take up most of the force of the kite. When looped, that force was just too much. Q-Power snaps. I will NEVER use Q-Power again unless they make some changes. Sleeving the ends of the lines may or may not be enough.
So, for now, I recommend not using that Q-Power line for riding your Crossbows with custom line lengths. Buy the OEM lines or other sleeved line sets.

Q-Power lines tend to get kinky and funky and seem to have more friction making running your lines out a bit more prone to tangling, etc. Plus they whistle and sing quite a bit, which i don't care for. In my opinion, better to use stock/OEM lines and just replace them more often if needed as they wear.

wait, so the Q-power line snapped at the location of the larkshead? Or did it just slip off?

I'm confused about it as well. Where did the line break? At the larkshead? If so what's sleeves got to do with it. I think that Q-lines are rated stronger than regular spectra. I've had a backup set that I've used and abused on and off for 3 seasons. The larkshead knots are starting to look warn, but the lines look good. I'm thinking of just cutting them down a bit. I also don't get the vibrating lines, although many people have told me about that.

On another note, how did the CB fly on 15m lines??

Line snapped about 1 inch down from the larkshead. As mentioned, these lines had been used maybe 9 hours. They were in as new condition. I couldn't see any reason for them snapping. The only reason I can deduce for this is the pull on the two front lines in what would normally be over powered conditions for a 12m was too much for the kite.

What rating of q-line were you using? They do come in several different ratings: 200#, 300#, 600#.
If you were using the 600#, I'm surprised that it broke, especially if it was new. I found it to be much stronger than a lot of the stock 500# line (cabrinha, slingshot). I have had good luck with stock wipika line (nice and thick).
My recommendation is to always use new lines for your front lines (replace annually if not sooner). You can use your older lines for your rear lines because they don't have as much of a load. And always use your strongest line as your leash line. I would agree to cut the ends of used qlines, because the larks heads due wear faster than the rest of the lines.
Glad to hear you had boat support.
As with any system, it is the weakest link that breaks. Better your line, than your kite. I've had lines brake, leader lines break, pigtails break, stitching holding pigtails break, ...
Knock on wood, but 600# q line has been serving me well for my front lines (I use stock lines for the rear). It does kink if you are careless. I have quite a bit of a bite on my leaders and q-line (left room for adjustments, cause I'm frequently messing with my bar and sheeting system) and have definately noticed the whistling. It's like riding a harley, because people can hear me coming.
-bric

i love the singing of the q-line 600#test.
going on 2 years now with just cutting in new larks heads

Yeah, I like the sound of them as well.
Yes, 600# Q-Power Pro.
After all the praise here, maybe it was a fluke. I'll be trying them again, close to shore. Might take some time now as last weekend the kite was eaten by a six foot wave. Full pressure dunking. Two panels gone. Doh.

gnarly dude, i wonder, do the bowkites not fair very well when stressed, like hit by a wave? The canopy doesnt seem to have the support a traditional kite does(the number of struts supporting the draping canopy), its also flatter, so i wonder, are bow kites generally more vulnerable when hit by a wave?

Generally, I would say the kite is sturdy. I dumped the kite because I got eaten by a six foot wave. When I came back up, I went to relaunch, and there was no wind. Damn lulls... hence, the next six footer reared it's head and I watched as it targeted my kite, dead center. Six feet of water directly hitting any kite is going to cause some problems.

Also, I looked more closely at the construction. Very nice. They have built in failure points along all the panel edges so they will tear out before destroying your leading edge or struts. The leading edge and struts were all still inflated and fine. I'm just missing two panels. All in all, a very nice feature to have failure built into the kite, especially in this situation where the kite could have been much worse off.

Just sent it out to Airtimekite.com for repairs. Can't wait for the bill...