Sport 2 VG
 

Is there anything that can be done to make it easier to pull VG on the Sport 2? Not sure if it just my glider but I find that I have to really yank on the VG to tighten it- approx 30 lbs. I've considered spraying some silicone lube between the little pulley wheels and shaft but I'm afraid it may cause it to attract dust. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Sounds like a twist in one of the VG ropes. I can take a look at it next time we fly.

Thanks Larry! Never thought to look for twists.

Even if I didn't really agree, I wouldn't argue Larry's advice until I could prove it wrong!

No argument here, I beleive he brings up an excellent point. My VG set up often looks like a crows nest before I tension the glider. Things appear normal when i look after tentioning but it is clear that I need to look at it much closer. A twist is very likely.

Good point - I flew my Sport 2 for the first time last weekend (Thog's glider) but didn't even get to the point of pulling VG. Will look at it as part of pre-flight.

The twist will probably be in the down tube. Have you had to replace the right side down tube?

On my U2 I have to watch the lines in the sail at the cross bar when I set up. One line likes to jump the pulley and wedge itself between the pulley and the block. Does make it a little harder to pull, but makes it impossible to let it off in flight.

Yeah I have encountered the wedged line syndrome before and it wasn't that. I checked it last weekend and believe it may be getting some friction against the string that makes up my AT tow point. I pulled that string all the way to the back and believe (could be imagination) that VG was looser. One other point that came to mind is that the pool noodles I have stuck in my wing tips might be causing the sail to be much tighter with full VG- I will check this next time.

I guess the only way to know for sure whether or not my VG is tight or loose is to actually compare against a similar glider. I recently bought a pair of gloves with silicone palms which may also make a difference since I'll be able to grip better.

Thanks you all for your suggestions.

Uhh, why do you have pool noodles in the tips?

pool noodles?...
 

Now I've heard of carbon rods and even balsa wood in the tip/trailing edges to reduce TE flapping, but styrofoam pool noodles in the wing tips?? ..I'm curious.