hey Gruezi, I did one at woodies the other day, no sand, effectively a hot launch. It takes a bit of practice, and you have to ensure that you have popped the boble thingy so you can fully depower. No very good on rough/shelly beaches as you'll shred you kite.
happy to show you next time we meet.

dale

Self launching the CB is still a major headache. The other day, I tried first of all to lay the kite down wind with enough sand on the first underside section ,but the kite is so efficient it wants to immediately turn in to the wind, so I had to add more sand to the next section just to keep it there and managed to self launch, but as I mentioned previously, this may well result in damaging the kite just due to the sheer weight of sand . I don`t think sand bags will work either as they might slide on top and trap the bridle.
I then had a go at trying to put the kite on it`s back with the trailing edge into the wind, but was unable again due to the kite always wanting to turn itself in to the wind...most frustrating.
I think next time I will try this method but will sand the underside middle sections and string the lines before I pump up the leading edge and hopefully this will keep it in place while you go back and do a hot launch with the bar being able to fully depower if necessary.
Landing the kite unassisted seems easy enough though, in the lighter winds just fly it slowly down at the edge of the window,until just on to the sand and reach as far up on the 2 front lines and pull them toward you and it`s down. When it is real windy, I pushed the bar past the bobble to fully de power, but the kite still flew , so I pulled on the 2 front lines adjustment strap, so I could reach the ring(need to put a T handle on the ring to make it easier to grab) and pulled the front line and this brought the kite down ,even in 35 knots, in a very safe manner without the kite spiralling and making a birds nest of the lines and I just worked my way up the line to the kite.
I don`t know if anyone out there has any more advise in regard to safely self launching the CB`s, but if you have any ideas, I would like to hear or learn from you.

(cut & paste from general ?)
quote:
Originally posted by kiterdan
14m kites are literally falling out of the sky, and some bloke is planing (and staying upwind) on a 12m and 130 drop,

Yep seen that too.
And the other extreme. I was out for about 30 mins in really crappy gusts on a 7M - adjusting the trim, having no fun at all bw sinking to hanging on - & there was a 9M & 2 12M XBows all cruising along & smiling, from when I arrived till after I left.
I havent rushed out to buy one yet - but Im seriously wondering Y not

I dont think 6-8 knts is realistic puppet. ****, you need at least 12 knots to have any fun. If the wind is that light, go surfing, wakeboarding or fishing. When you get down to 6-8 knts you could well fly a 20m using a big TT or surfboard and if you put it in the drink dont expect to get it back up in a hurry.

I'd be headin down to your local bowling club and sinking a few middies whilst harrassing the oldies.

weekends lookin good.

see you there puppet/.

I am still persevering on a sure fire way of unassisted CB launching but so far with limited success. I had popped in to the supplier and discussed what I had done the other day, which was rather than using sand to hold the kite in place while you go back to the bar, I had filled a 13 litre bucket of water(13kg) and placed that on the underside of the kite, but it was not enough and the kite just wanted to turn in to the wind and in doing, would tip out the water, so again in addition to the water I had to add more weight(sand) in order to pin it down. I then went back to the bar and pulled on the rope that was tied to the handle of the bucket and successfully tipped out the water ,but the kite struggled to get off the ground due to the sand and I had to have someone tip out the sand before it would fly. I have now got hold of a bigger 20litre bucket and will also give that a go at some stage.
The next day, after a collective discussion with the supplier, the plan this time was to have the kite leading edge down and have the bucket of water placed on top in the middle of the kite and the rope from the handle went back and around a tent peg,which was buried under the sand, then under the kite and back upwind to the bar. When ready I pulled on the rope, and successfully tipped out the water, but the kite stayed pinned to the sand. I tried pulling the front lines, no luck, then the back lines, but just pulled the kite towards me and the kite stayed put. I then asked another kiter(sorry did`nt catch the name)to go to the rear of the kite and push forward on the centre strut and the kite shot skyward. I may have been pulled forward 2 steps. I did not have the kite fully de powered but the bar was up at the bobble.
The thinking now is to put an eyelet with a small ring,at the tail of the middle strut. Then run a line from your launching position, which is directly upwind, under the kite through the ring and back to you. When you are ready and hooked up to the bar you can pull on the double line, which will pull the trailing edge and hopefully cause the leading edge to lift sufficiently for the wind to get below it and allow the kite to take off. Once in the air you will then let go one end and recover the line through the ring.
Watch this space.

My apologies for the double post, but the internet on the rig up here in India is soooo slow and after I had clicked `send`,I came back to find`Page Expired` on the screen,so I refreshed and sent it again.

In response, I am beginning to think that actually the 20 litre bucket of water is the best option so far. The sacred cow would require a bit more upkeep but at least you would have a fresh plentiful supply of milk for your coffee breaks!
The problem that I see with the hot launching method is that you do not get a second chance i.e. it would be imperative that your lines are free and not trapped beneath any obstacle, even with the bar in the 100% depower, otherwise the kite could veer off rapidly to one side on take off.
You would not have this problem on a totally sandy beach, but at Gnaraloo or down at Margaret River or any location where you might have some exposed coral heads or limestone outcrops at your launching site you would need to be extremely careful.

It is a relief to see that there is this type of resource available
out there. When will it be ready and how much?
Joking aside, I kite 99% on my own and need to be able to self launch. As far as I know, correct me if I am wrong,in strong winds self launching the CB is a problem. My posts are more directed to and hopefully get response from, other CB riders who would like to be able to self launch.

I have to say that,that guy puppet has got constant verbal diarrhoea.