LewSDCA - 16-3-2025 at 07:28 PM
This is the single seat version of the Hobie Trimaran. I'm not a beginner but not that good either. A couple of years ago I did some kit buggying and
was ok at it. I want to sail my Adventure Island with a Kite. To me it's an obvious choice, it's stable, easily transported and has pedal so if the
wind dies (or I mess up) I can peddle back in.
I have a bunch of kites, but to me the best solution is a deposed one. i've seen how people are now using foil kites on her water and can relaunch
them almost all of the time.
Another solution is to use a leading edge inflatable (LEI). I've never flown one but could learn
I thought i would use my kite buggy harness and a couple of kites that are closed cell, water relaunchable to start out with.
What are your thoughts, what mistakes have I made in my approach? Would a closed cell foil kite or a LEI be a better choice?
Thanks,
Lew
Randy - 17-3-2025 at 04:47 AM
I had a kite boat for a while and tried a lot of different kites. I had the best luck with a small LEI (3m trainer). I also used a close cell foil
which worked well enough. These are also the kinds of kites kitesurfers use. Water relaunch is important, and boats will drift downwind more making
relaunch harder. The boat you are talking about seems ideal to me. No matter what - bring a paddle* along when you start. If the kite gets
waterlogged you may need it to get back to your launch.
BTW - you don't need a kite as big as the kitesurfers use. Use about half what they would be using according to Peter Lynn.
*Unless you have Hobie's drive already.