Hey Dave
Seems most kayak kites are single line parafoil sleds for going downwind, but with a quad line you can get upwind.
www.facebook.com/BoogieBeau
Not sure what the ideal quad line kite might be, a small closed cell foil? There are video's on the web of setting them up and launching in the water.
There are also some sails for sea kayaks.
Sounds like fun

I would imagine re-launching an inflato would be quite a sight in a strong wind!! Airborne kayaker + kayak!!

A few possibilities. The simple way is a 15 sq ft 1-line parafoil which packs down small and will get you moving fairly quickly in a sea breeze with some variation in direction assuming you have a rudder.

www.kite.net.au click on "Parafoil for Kayakers"

I can't see anything else working without a rudder.

An inflatable would be fine and even as small as 3m would be plenty in 18+knots. A 5m would be OK too. It is most likely that he would need to launch and land his kite on the beach for a while. He will need plenty of practice in the shallows before getting into a kayak. Some body dragging experience will prepare him better for the likely situation of parting company with his kayak!

If he wants to get really serious, Peter Lynn Kites have been making kite boats for over 14 years. They are very fast and go upwind better than most yachts. Check out:

http://www.peterlynnkites.com/vehicles/boats/boats.htm

Like kitesurfing, don't let him out in an offshore breeze!!! Good luck!

all the best
NeilT

Kites have a fair bit of sideways pull, you'd need some sort of fin underneath the kayak wouldn't you? I imagine that when you want to go on a reach or slightly upwind, the kite would pull against the rudder which is way off behind you, weathercocking you around untill you're facing downwind!

How have others tackled this problem? It's not as if you can edge a kayak.

Or if you only want to go downwind then I guess it's not too bad. From what I've seen of sails on kayaks they only go downwind so that isn't really much of a problem.

Best fit for a kayak would be a 3 m Peter Linn Waterfoil!
It is entirely design to be launched on the water: you cast it in the water with just a little air in it, let the kite "float" downwind until the lines are tensioned then the waterfoil off goes up 1/10 inflated!!!. Whilst up, let the foil inflate (that may take 2 - 3 minutes as the intakes are pretty small and protected with valves against water) than it is ready to go.
It is a great kite, and can be used in as low as 6 - 7 knots.
Be careful not to put it too low in the window as, like all the foils, it will fold.

Good luck

Pulling my leg? NO
they had all their provisions etc and showed map etc. etc.
they were fair dinkum.

Eccentric? Blood oath!

their route was via the tip of Wilsons prom - hogans island -King island(or the other big one) etc.
longest single section was 60NM.

I was impressed. but I would have thought a support boat the go.
they had started at Tooradin.

Thanks for the tips everyone.. will pass on the links/info. Due to overheating issues and a serious spyware infestation I've been off the air since posting. Beat the spyware today (maybe 8 hours later ) and I've got the thing running beside me with the case open and a pedestal fan lying next to it on full - not the most fun solution in winter!

Anyway sounds like either a sled or maybe just a sail would be the go. I'd be interested to see what angle you could 'edge' off a parafoil comfortably - I'm guessing it wouldn't be much, something like a broad reach if you were lucky?

I guess I'll just tell him the best thing would be to sell the kayak and get some kite surfing lessons in spring. I already emailed him this vid to show the difference:
http://media.bestkiteboarding.com/videos/the_andy_show.wmv

re the Bass Strait discussion earlier in this topic...

Bass Strait is crossed by the "eastern route" (via Flinders Island) by at least a couple of kayaking parties each year. The longest hop is 33nm (not 60nm as previously stated), or about 60km. Amongst the paddlers who choose to use wind assistance, sails are more common than kites.

There has been one crossing of Bass Strait 'direct', non-stop in a sea kayak, in 2003. This is 220km (120nm) by the shortest route, and was done in 35 hours with no wind assistance. Rough details are here:
www.AndrewMcAuley.com/kayaking.html

Oops must have misheard him on the NMbit but 60 is OK
I always get mixed up between King and flinders Island.
Maybe I should get a job as navigator on the Tassie ferry.

if you are on a monohull/kakay wouldn't it be best if you use a single like sled kite. You can get some that have alot of pull and they are very stable. They will hold the kayak upright and not tip it over. They would be very easy to launch and pack away while sitting on a kayak. they are light and compact. the only draw back is that you would only use them to go downwind.

Go to the Naish website they have footage of a massive kite pulling a group on a kayak with and outrigger on it.