Re: [Paddlewise] kayak sails

At 10:08 AM 4/3/98 -0500, Mark Balogh wrote:
>>  now that thats out of the way how do you compare a parafoil kite of the
>> same sq. ft.
>> as a sail in performance , handling and easy of use and storage? You can
>> let your prejudice
>> toward sails show here a little. I did not compare price because thats not
>> fair.That is in a 
>> hundred words or less with out (ha ha ) promoting your product. I have done
>> quite a bit of
>> kayak kiting but not with a sail. My kites are 8&16 sq. ft.
>
>Dana,
>
>I hope some more kite sailors on the list will share their experiences. 
>Bruno from Wipika has written me that he will be posting some phots of a
>kayak sailing with a Wipika kite on his site within the next two weeks. 
>Those who are interested should take a look at his site.  I think it is
>at <wipika.com>.
>
>
>Mark
 

Kite sailing can be fun but the wind needs to be 15mph or above to be easy.
The kites take a little to launch, I use a 4ft. wooden dowel with a notch
in one end to hold the line which puts the kite at 6-8ft above the
water.Higher would be better. The first thirty feet above the water is the
most dificult, the wind is turbulant and some times you crash over and
over.Below is a hand out that went sold with the kites when I use to sell
them a while back. I like the Sutton Flow Form Parafoil Kite because they
have pressure-relieving vents that water will drain out of unlike some
parafoils that are sewed tight and will hold water like a bag when you get
them to the surface.


Dana 

Your Sutton Flow Form Parafoil Kite will fly in a wider range of winds than
most other kites. In heavy winds you may need to add a tail , tie a five
foot line to each of the loops at the rear of the kite then tie the ends
together and add the tail at this point. If your kite should need adjusting
(the kite pulls one way) shorten the opposite bridle line to achieve a
straight flight. Your kite line should be 70-100 ft. in length, 75# for the
8 sq. ft. model ( for a one person kayak) and 150#  for the 16 sq. ft.
model ( double kayak). 
    	 Never tie the kite line to yourself or the kayak for safety reasons. 
  To launch your Parafoil from your kayak , back the kayak into the wind,
Always brace your kayak so you will not flip over should you be pulled off
balance , unfold your kite and let out 10-20 ft. of line and lift the kite
as high as possible ,  it will fill with air and leave your hand. A 3-4ft.
wooden dowel with a notch cut in one end will help raise the kite further
off the water when you go to launch. When you launch your kite you will
need to pump the line to help gain altitude. It is best if you do not
travel directly down wind as the kite need some drag to stay up. When your
kite falls to the water do not try to pull it in, this may break the line
or rip the kite. The kite will open up under water and tries to fly putting
tremendous pressure on the kite and line. Paddle to the kite as you wined
up the line. When you lift the kite out of the water lift it from the front
or back to let the water flow out of it before picking it up. The Flow Form
kites has pressure-relieving vents that water will drain out of unlike some
parafoils that are sewed tight and will hold water. It is a good idea to
have a knife along to cut the line should you become entangled. Hold the
handle in one hand as you use the paddle to brace and steer. Should some
thing happen and you need to get rid of the kite in a emergency , let go of
the handle and the kite will fall out of the sky. Try not to get tangled in
the line.You can slide a cork fishing float to each of the bridle line that
will keep it from completely sinking.( or you can buy the "Floatation
Attachment" that will let you install two balloons in the kite that will
keep it on the surface) This kit includes a plastic handle and 100ft. of
line.

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