Hata Building Instructions

1. Decide on kite sail pattern, cut out pieces with hot knife, piece together with double-sided tape and sow with a zigzag stitch.
2. Using a template cut out sail shape with hot knife as per diagram.
3. Cut 2 Bow & 2 Spine pockets from heavy Dacron with hot knife as per diagrams.
4. Fold Bow pockets, one left hand, one right hand and seal the outside edges together with hot knife.
5. Fold spine pockets and seal the outside edges together with hot knife.
6. Using double sided tape, tape Spine pockets onto the back of the sail, as per diagram.
7. Use double-sided tape, tape Bow pocket to the back of the sail, so the cut back section of the pocket faces up, as per the drawing.
8. Fold Bow sleeve over covering Bow pocket and stick down with double sided tape where stitching is going to be, as per the drawing.
9. To sew around the sail, start sewing at the bottom Spine pocket with a zigzag stitch on three sides, so that the spine is a neat fit into pocket, as per diagram. Then change to straight stitch and sew reinforcing stitch, 2mm in from the trailing edge of the kite, up to the Bow pocket.
10. Continuing with straight stitch, sew along end of the Bow pocket and sleeve 4 times to stop the end of the bow pushing out, then up the inside edge of the bow pocket & sleeve.
11. Raise needle then move over to a point 2mm in from the leading edge about 5mm back from where the fold of the sleeve pocket meets the cut leading edge.
12. Sew reinforcing stitch 2mm in from the leading edge up to the top Spine pocket. Then change to zigzag and sew in top Spine pocket on 3 sides, so that the spine is a neat fit into the pocket, as per the diagram.
13. Change to straight stitch and sew reinforcing stitch, 2mm in from the leading edge, down leading edge to a point 5mm into the folded Bow sleeve.
14. Raise needle and move over to the inside edge of the Bow sleeve. Sew out along the bow sleeve and Bow pocket. Sew up and down the end of the Bow pocket 4 times then down the trailing edge, 2mm in from the edge, to the bottom Spine pocket and finish of with 3 or 4 stitches of zigzag, up the edge of the Spine pocket.
15. With a hot needle melt 2, 4mm Dia holes in the Bow sleeves, just in front of the Bow pockets, as per the drawing. DO NOT MELT HOLE IN THE FRONT OF THE SAIL.
16. These holes are to allow the bow to be placed into position and if required, disassembled for transport.
17. Reinforce top and middle bridle points with 40mm Dia circles of sticky back ripstop.
18. Insert the bones (spine & bow) into the sail. The bow should cross the spine about 10mm higher than point B, then put the kite aside for 1 week to let the kite settle.
19. Now that the kite has settled, trim the main bow section so that the middle of the bow crosses the spine at point B with the centre carbon section in the middle of the main bow section.