jonelwood - 24-9-2006 at 07:38 AM
Just started buggying and have come across a few problems.
I find i get moving along in my buggy in short sharp runs rather than a long run down the beach. I find the kite runs out ahead of me instead of
staying at the side - should i be steering more away from the wind? If i do i usually grind to a halt!!
If the kite moves further out in front of me should i steer more across the wind and pull more on the break lines??
Thanks
Pablo - 24-9-2006 at 11:54 AM
You shouldn't need to use the brakes, if your pointing too much at the kite you'll get the large power burst, then the kite will luff. As you said,
too much upwind and you'll stop as well with the kite at the edge of the window. There's a fine line between going properly cross wind, too much
upwind and too much downwind.
Also if your underpowered, it's harder to find that perfect line. with more power you have more room for upwind/downwind travel and finding that
perfect line isn't as critical.
Best bet to get started is to have the buggy pointed on close to a 45 deg to the wind, say heading to the right. Bring the kite to the left a bit,
then drop it and swoop across the window to the right. you should start rolling right away, by the time the kite's half way across the window you want
to cut straight across the wind, you'll end up having the kite drop in beside you and if you have a good crosswind line it'll stay over your shoulder
or so and you'll be booking off at a good speed. Once moving with enough power you shouldn't have to work the kite any more to keep moving. If you
find your constantly pumping the kite for more power you could use a bigger sail.
raycapp1 - 24-9-2006 at 12:27 PM
i found walking with the kite like ya would seat in a buggy (or run with it) then ya can work out how to keep lines tort ect its easyer then getting
total trashed in ya buggy, i also found when flying inland the wind is more gusty not constint making it hard work just keep kite doing figer of 8 and
if lines go slack steer away from kite thats all i worked out so far
Pablo - 24-9-2006 at 10:05 PM
Yup on the inland flying, one good day at the beach can make up for weeks inland when it comes to new stuff.
coreykite - 25-9-2006 at 10:41 AM
Jonelwood,
You didn't say where the wind was coming from.
If you've got side-shore winds (along the length of the beach) you'll struggle on the buggy but side-shore is great for traction on the water.
You'll notice the relationship between where the kite is, where it's going, and your front wheel.
If the kite gets ahead of, say 15 degrees off the direction your front wheel is pointing, you'll have a problem keeping the lines taut.
Kites are (by definition) tethered aerodynes.
That tether between you and the kite is critical to making the system work.
Your goal is to take the energy from the wind, convert it to motive-power and balance between the downwind pull and moving.
Your grip to the ground, "traction", is the real name of the game.
Too much power, it breaks your grip and you're drug downwind.
While you're starting out with the idea of the kite pulling you, you'll discover that you and the kite will be moving in the same direction, and it
will "power" you.
Most of the time, on your buggy, you'll want the kite between 45 and 80 degrees off to your side.
Flying towards the horizon, rather than "up".
Typically between 5 and 70 degrees up from the horizontal.
Are you getting this?
Need more?
Safen Up! Buggy On!
"Often wrong... Never in doubt"
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