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. In open water, there is little need to let out a lot of line because you have decent wind even 50 feet up. A kite is particularly pleasant to use on canals or any river with a steep bank. You can paddle upwind with ease by hugging the more windward shore. Downwind, you use the kite flying above treetops. With 200 ft. of string out things can get a little anxious as you approach bridges. There is also a 15 sq. ft. parafoil, said to generate around 60 lbs. of pull in 25 mph winds. This seems a bit much for hand holding, but in the 10-15 mph wind speed range might be OK. In calculating downwind rigs, it is important to remember that the boat speed must be subtracted from the wind speed to get the apparent wind. For this reason, things get very fluky when the wind speed drops below 10 mph. As to using a kite in a narrow single, I could see this becoming a white knuckle exercise very quickly. Without a paddle to brace the kayak, it would be prone to capsize in seas or from the lateral pull of the kite. I have yet to try any emergency procedures. However, I believe that if the wind suddenly gusted, the kite would drop into the water if you let line flow at full speed. You could then fish the kite out as you passed it. Ken Cooperstein *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Kenneth Cooperstein wrote: > > 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. (guesstimate) -- Ken, 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. snip snip snip > I have yet to try any emergency procedures. However, I believe that if > the wind suddenly gusted, the kite would drop into the water if you let > line flow at full speed. You could then fish the kite out as you passed > it. > > Ken Cooperstein One thing about ditching a parafoil, there are reports that they will sink and be difficult to recover unless you add floatation. Also some kite sailors add small drain holes in the backs of the cells to help let the water out when you recover them from the drink. Mark *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> 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. Welcome to "Oklahoma! Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.." ;-) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Mark, The Folbot sail rig , (and I believe, the Klepper) comes with a very large and heavy crossbar, that sits in front of the forward paddler, and holds the mast and leeboards. This crossbar extends beyond the sides of the boat, and makes it almost impossible for the forward person to paddle. The person seated in the rear seat might be able to paddle somewhat, with the boom, lines and tiller in place but a Folbot Super with two people and gear is much easier to move with two paddling. The Folbot sailing rig is comprised of several large parts; the mast, crossbar, two leeboards, the sail, and tiller. If one were to decide not to sail anymore, it's difficult to disassemble everything, and stow them inside the boat. Kites are much easier to store, lighter, and faster to deploy. As for an extended kite; if it were necessary to pull in the kite, it can be done by (gloved) hands, in long pulls. I've never needed to release much line with it, though, so it's pretty easy to bring in with the little handreel that it has. If I needed to change direction quickly with the kite up, couldn't that be done easily with the rudder? I think it would be like jibing, limited by wind direction, of course. Tina Portland, OR USA >I am glad that you are one of the people that has had some luck with >parafoils. I am curious though what it is the prevents you from paddling >with your Folbot lateen rig in place. Also in a similar line of >thought, what would you do in a strong wind with your kite fully >extented if you found yourself crossing the path of a freighter? Thanks >for your insight into this >Mark >>> 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 > ------------------------------------------------------------- ___________ / OOOOOOO- / I / -OOOOOOO- / I /___________/ / I___________I / Have you hugged your bento today? Check out the BENTO BUGGY website at: http://www.pcez.com/BentoBuggy ------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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