Does any one have experience using kites instead of a sail. Any websites that I should look at? Thanks, Groetjes, Len *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Len Van Halm [LenV_at_ITEXJSY.com] wrote on the Paddlewise mailing list: > > Does any one have experience using kites instead of a sail. > > Any websites that I should look at? > > Thanks, > > Groetjes, Len > Len, I think that the most common system for kite/kayak traction uses single line parafoils like the Jalbert foil. I have no experience of single line parafoils and kayaks, so can't help much except to say the these kites are probably easy to rig and fly but will only pull downwind, and have pretty limited performance compared to the latest traction kites. I mostly fly flexifoils, a six, eight, and two ten footers. All four stacked produces fun power, but these kites are not a particularly practical method of traction for kayaks - There is virtually no chance that you could launch a stack of flexis from a kayak out on the water. Good fun in a buggy though :-). The most promising development for kite traction on water is the wipika wing. These kites use inflatable spars, and will launch wet from the water. Can be rigged for two or four lines. Haven't had a chance to fly one yet unfortunately. Check out: http://www.wipika.com If you want some general traction kite, or any kite info then have a look at: http://www.kfs.org/kites/ To find out about kites as traction systems for boats have a look at: http://www.dcss.org/speedsl/ Another interesting site, and nice kites by Spider at: http://www.mmstudio.com/spider/ I had a fly of a friends polyester spider modulus last week. I thought that this kite was very nice. Modulus kites are built as a system, and are high quality kit. Need to take out a mortgage to buy one though. The kite zips together from sections to give different combinations of sail area from 1 to 5.8 square meters. There is a low traffic kitesailing mailing list, where the topic of kayaks and kites crops up now and again. I'll crosspost this reply to Kitesail, where the real kite gurus may be able to offer you better advice. To subscribe to kitesail: >Send a message to: kitesail-request_at_kfs.org and just ask. It's a human >who reads these, so no special commands are necessary. Hope this helps Cheers Colin Calder 57º19'N 2º10'W *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Colin Calder wrote: > Len Van Halm [LenV_at_ITEXJSY.com] wrote on the Paddlewise mailing list: > > > > > Does any one have experience using kites instead of a sail. > > > > Any websites that I should look at? > > > > Thanks, > > > > Groetjes, Len > Hi *, I have tried a 5sqm Wipika two lines wing ( http://www.wipika.com ) on a double inflatable helios380 ( http://www.innovakayak.com ). It works fine and easy to lern downwind; upwind you need to rig the kayak with rudder and leeboard(s) like any sailrig: not tried yet - sorry! BTW: how can I register to Paddlewise mailing list? Cheers, Giuseppe Phone: +39-432-55.8212 University of Udine - Department of Physics Fax: +39-432-55.8222 via delle Scienze, 208 - 33100 UDINE *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Try; http://www.dcss.org/speedsl/ Dave Culp is a major player in kite sailing and has lots of information on his site as well as links to more. The big problem with kites is launching from the water, but they have a lot in their favor. michael LenV_at_ITEXJSY.com wrote: > > Does any one have experience using kites instead of a sail. > > Any websites that I should look at? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:32:50 PDT