Anybody ever try a kitecat? Looks really cool but seems way too expensive. Anybody know of other buggy type rigs for the water that are available?
I have a small peter lynn water foil on a bar that I plan to test getting dragged in the water at the beach (not much invested in the setup if it gets
ruined).
Do you think the little blowup pool in the youtube video below would go upwind?
I have a Peter Lynn Monohull Kite Boat. It is about 10 foot long and steers pretty much like a buggy. It was built around 2000 and there weren't
many sold in the US. Kitesurfing took off around that time and the kite boat didn't really catch on. However, I like it and I think for where I live
it gives me more access than I would have trying to kite surf. They aren't that easy to find. I had to drive about 500 miles to get this one.
There are some around. I think someone in NC had one, but he wanted a lot of $ for his. If you search old thread you can find a lead perhaps.
Here are some videos. I've been using pretty small kites, including some of my buggy kites. There are more on my youtube page.
Pablo - 7-6-2018 at 05:18 PM
First board I had cost me $5
3/4 ply fished out of a dumpster, 2 inch wide nylon lifting straps from a construction site cut down for foot straps, and the $5 was for some varnish
to protect it somewhat, 8 yrs later and it's still up and running, works well in low winds.
If your bored and on a budget it can be fun to mess around
markite - 7-6-2018 at 08:49 PM
I have a kite cat and also kitesurf.
Cost wise yes the kite cats were expensive but all the hulls were individually custom made and then Although the frame breaks down to some smaller
lengths the long hulls and complete cat were all shipped from down under so not cheap. There are a few around and used come up once every handful of
years. I think there may be one for sale near Ottawa Canada soon but have yet to follow up with my buddy about what kind of price he'll want.
They are larger for transporting and I wish I lived closer to water to get out on it more often. Hulls may need maintenance if you ride hard, mine is
older and gets small hairline leaks along the seam of the two piece hulls so redoing the glass along that seam this year. They ride very easy and
steer very quick for the size, ride very much like a buggy. They are fun to get out and tour around on them.
For Water play Kitesurfing is actually very simple to do by comparison, throw a board, kite and harness in the car and good to go.
To use anything else on water it's about whether the craft will actually plane when you put kite power on it or if it'll just roll you off. Then next
is, can you steer and control direction. Downwind with anything is a given, steering and getting upwind is a differnt game especially if the wind
comes up and you are dealing with chop or waves.
I think something like this is a lot like a the learning experience of a number of activities. If you don't have anything to compare it to you can
have a lot of fun. No right or wrong just your personal enjoyment. At some time down the road you may try better gear and you'll make a leap and look
back and wonder why you were doing it in a way that now seems so hard but it doesn't take away the fun you had. So because I kitesurf I can look back
and say why would you want to struggle with something that won't give you the same pay off - but for someone that doesn't have the other experience or
comparison and as long as you are having fun, go for it.RedSky - 8-6-2018 at 06:14 AM
I have one too. As you can see, I use mine most days. :P
If you can deal with the hassle then its great fun. Heading into the waves slow it down but it picks up serious speed coming back in.
Ideal for flat water such as a lake. Not tried it though. Easy to capsize. must be careful with applying too much power all at once.
Nice to sit down, relax and just cruise the ocean.
Came with the roller roof bars, paddle, a mount for an outboard motor and a hydration pack.
Fast turning. The hulls slash up a lot of spray in the waves. Need goggles.
