Re: [Paddlewise] Kites, Balloons etc [ was Visibility etc]

-----Original Message-----
From: PJ Rattenbury <ratten_at_uow.edu.au>


> Matt et al,
>
> Good point about a metalized balloon for radar visibility.  Am I right in
>suggesting that meteorologists once used radar balloons to compute wind
>velocities at different altitudes?
> As for kites,  I use a 15 sq.ft. parafoil to tow my kayak in appropriate
>weather conditions, and find that once it is in clear air, say about 30ft
>above sea level, it is remarkably stable.  Depends on the wind of course,
>but I find anything above 15 knots will almost certainly guarantee a kite
>launch from the kayak and enough stability to stay launched all day if
needed.
> The ellipse I described launched in less wind velocity [ I like that word,
>ellipse!]  and  climbed effortessly. And because it was bright spinning
>aluminium foil, it flashed even on overcast days.
> Of course the ellipse was not intended as a towing device, or even as a
>fun thing, it just went up and stayed up and as such proved an excellent
>radar reflector and visibility device.


Maybe when the balloon gets knocked down flat there will be enough wind to
launch the ellipse and your radar presence will remain.
I also have a 15 sq. ft parafoil but while it works very well on land I have
rarely found it beneficial on the water. Way more trouble than it is worth.
It is difficult to get it launched keep up in the air once I do. Then if the
wind slows a little you end up backpaddling to keep it in the air while your
paddling friends are disappearing around the next point. I have found it
especially difficult to launch once it has gotten wet.
Once in a 25 to 30 knot blow on Dungeness Spit (in the old days before it
was ranger infested) that kite got my adrenaline up. After my partner
released the bow and the kayak pivoted out to sea (I felt like a bull rider
swinging out sideways as the gate opens) and then immediately started to
plane it only took me a few seconds to realize I had a tiger by the tail and
wasn't sure how to let go. It had me planing across the water as it swung me
side to side as it lashed back and forth. I was in my narrowest (20.5" wide)
kayak. I had a devil of a time making progress at getting it back down while
trying not to drop and snag the paddle tucked under my armpit (in order to
work the hand reel) and keep my balance without the use of the paddle. If I
backpaddled hard I could barely hold my position. I seriously considered
cutting it loose but didn't want to loose the expensive kite. I managed by
fits and starts to make some progress (gain a few wraps on the reel then
loose a few, tuck the paddle back up under my arm) and eventually reeled it
in. When it was only a few feet away I thought I might not even get it wet
but it swung over and dove into the water and then I was afraid it would act
as a sea anchor and yank me over as I planed past it on momentum. A wild
ride I won't soon forget. I could have made great time that day if I had
wanted to go that way but I was going to have to paddle back into the wind
to the spit afterward so didn't want to go too far.
Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com


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