Power Kite Forum

The F.L.Y. Flexifoil Land Yacht (land sailer) W/ 5 sails

bigben91682 - 10-7-2013 at 05:04 PM

Hi Gang,

I've been away from the forum for a while as a recent relocation (and life in general) has had me away from the sport for a while - life has a way of doing that!

With deep regret I have decided I must part ways with my homemade flexifoil land yacht, some of you may remember the build saga (there's a link in my sig) and some of you have seen/used this at WWBB.

Lack of free time and some unexpected medical expenses have necessitated selling off some lesser used toys, so this gem is up for sale/sail - hah! a pun!

I'm asking $1600 + shipping (prefer local pickup...)- lowered to $1400 + shipping.

Anyway, it's based on a flexifoil kite buggy with a flexifoil extra wide rear axle (which was a recent upgrade). The stationary rigging starts with the mast base which was made by one of PKF's expert welders (WELDNGOD). The stays are aluminum tubing with Holleander speed fittings. The whole buggy is rock solid, and makes aggressive sailing easy and stable. The running rigging is a high-test main sheet and all blocks are by Harken -- very smooth and strong.

The package includes everything you need to get out and sail including a quiver of every size sail you may need for any wind condition. Above the mast base everything is windsurfing equipment -- so it's easy to source if you need parts or want to upgrade. Sail equipment includes:

- Neil Pryde Race Pro 430 Carbon Fiber Mast
- Mast Base Extension
- 5.5m North Sails -- Spectra (designed by David Ezzy)
- 4.8m Hot Sails Maui -- Smack
- 4.7m North Sails -- Ice
- 4.5m Ezzy Sails -- Ezzy Wave
- 4.0m WIndwind Designs -- Convert

The sail apparatus can be removed easily and you can also use it as a conventional kite buggy (take out six bolts and you're on your way). Unlike a blokart you steer with your feet making this a natural transition for kite buggiers (not that blokarts are difficult...)

I have over $3000 inveseted in the build and sails etc.

This could easily be adapted to be a ice boat as well, just pick up some runners or make them yourself (none included).

Here's a video from it's early life, before the the wide rear axle and before the rigid stays (started life with cable stays) - you can see how much fun it was before adding the wide axle and frame.



The last time I used this was Wildwood Buggy Bash Fall 2012 - riding the winds ahead of hurricane sandy. Here's a quick video of this thing doing a downwinder from that day, this shows it in it's current configuration with the wide axle and frame - super stable, rock solid, fast and fun! This thing loves high wind (the video shows the smallest 4m sail fitted).



I'd prefer to sell this locally, as shipping will likely by very expensive. I'm located in Southern NH, in the Keene area - pretty central for the northeast. I'll consider shipping at the buyers expense, CONUS only. Expect shipping to be upwards of $150+ in multiple boxes, but buyer will pay actual shipping, we can figure out the logistics if it comes to that. I'm willing to do some traveling to meet a buyer, we can discuss that if you're interested.

I also have available a Garmin Forerunner GPS watch for an additional $75, which I have used on this to measure speed, distance etc. and you can download your tracks to see your sailing path. It's a nice small GPS unit that can be used for just about any sport.

Also, full disclosure, I have no idea what this is worth. I know what I have in it, but if you think my price is unreasonable I'm open to discussion. But considering the price of a blokart or manta with one sail, I think this is a fair starting point. Sad to see this go but I know it will end up in a happy home.

Here's some pictures:

































bigben91682 - 18-7-2013 at 02:22 PM

Price too high? How about $1400 + shipping! But please pick up!

revpaul - 18-7-2013 at 10:57 PM

Hi,
post an ad at NALSA.
smaller and smaller landsailers are becoming more and more popular these days and your rig actually looks pretty good and stable for a buggy conversion.
Paul

bigben91682 - 4-8-2013 at 03:23 PM

Thanks for the heads up Paul, just sent my info to NALSA, hopefully I can get it listed on that site.

Still available in case people are wondering :D

Flexfoil

silverton - 22-9-2013 at 06:48 PM

Ben,
I am new to the forum but since I saw several land yacht's bombing across the salt flats a couple of months ago I've been interested. Is yours still available? Thanks

bigben91682 - 22-9-2013 at 06:58 PM

Yeah, still available. Sent you a U2U.

bigben91682 - 25-1-2014 at 12:28 PM

Wanted to update this thread, this is still available. Periodic serious interest that always falls through at the last minute...

Jaymz - 31-1-2014 at 10:47 PM

I'm trying to get some local Ice Boaters interested in Land sailing. I'll spread the word.

bigben91682 - 1-2-2014 at 04:14 AM

This is now sold! Woo-Hoo, thanks PKF.