[Paddlewise] Kite tidbits

I've had great success sailing with a parafoil kite.  On the lower Columbia
River, I've used a kite to pull 4 boats at once upriver!  OK, the summer
onshore flow winds there can get pretty bad, but I much prefer bringing a
small kite to bringing the mast, leeboards, daggerboard, and lateen sail
for the Folbot.  Once all that stuff is attached to the kayak, it's
impossible to paddle, say, if the wind were to die suddenly in the shadow
of a freighter.

I've also used the parafoil in long crossings, with winds coming from
straight abeam, which is one advantage of having a rudder, (rubber, to you
Californians?).  Oh dear, stirring up to many "issues".  Time to sign off!

Tina
Portland, OR   USA


>There was mention of kites in the discussion of sailing rigs.  I have
>used a 7.5 sq. ft. parafoil in my Folbot Greenland II (with rudder) and
>found it very satisfactory in winds of 12 mph to 25 mph (guesstimate) --
>which conditions are very common.  The kite costs under $50 and stows in
>a bag smaller than one gallon Ziploc.  In 20 mph winds, the kite alone
>pulls the double at close to hull speed.
>Ken Cooperstein


>Even if this is a guesstimate where do you live that has 12 to 25 mph
>winds very commonly? As the only stats I have seen show the average wind
>for the whole continental US to be 6 or 7, I want to know where you find
>this kind of wind so I can consider it when I next move.  I would kill
>for that kind of wind as common. It's perfect kayak sailing wind.
>Mark



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