quote:I do appreciate the input Simon, over the years we have tried most methods, the options you mention are not realistic for us, I don’t care too much about the kite , but I do want to keep my fingers.
Originally posted by simonmm
There seems to be two common ways that you can undertake this (sans Turbo Launcher). Both ways first involve fully rigging your kite on a beach somewhere. This is to ensure that the lines are connected to the kite without any twists. Keep the lines connected to the kite then wrap up the lines as per normal. This will enable you to inflate the kite and unwind the lines from the boat without any twist between the bar and kite. Once you get offshore to where you want to launch, it is handy to determine if there is much current running.
If there is not much current, the safest method is to inflate the kite from the boat. Get someone to hold the kite in the boat in readiness to launch it whilst you swim out with the bar unwinding the lines as you go. When you are happy that you are in a good launch position and the lines are clear and untwisted, launch the kite.
If there is current (particularly if the boat is in a channel or something), then it can sometimes be really difficult to swim into position to launch the kite. If this is the case then you can inflate the kite, throw it in the water and feed out line as the kite drifts off. When the lines are taught and untwisted jump in the water with your board and launch your kite as per any regular water launch. A couple of tips with this method. If your kite has a fifth line or flagging line, it is handy to make sure that this line is shorter when you prerigged your kite on shore. This will enable your kite to drift downwind without excessive pull. Also, be super careful when unwinding your lines as the kite can unexpectedly launch causing an absolute ton of trouble. It is best to drift and unwind the lines from a duckboard at the rear of a boat so that if the kite does go nuts you will be dragged into the water, not smashed around the boat. Finally, I definately would recommend launching the kite from in the water, not in the boat as a stuffed up launch will cause you and the boat to both get damaged.
4-5m swell with 30 knots would definately provide an interesting environment for a boat launch. Make sure you practice heaps before heading out.
quote:
Originally posted by Juddy
I don't suppose boat launches are going to work too well if you're flying a foil then are they?
