Power Kite Forum

What do you do use to secure your foil kite

Lanbro - 22-3-2009 at 03:14 PM

What do you do use to secure your foil kite during a self launch in a high wind environment. I have an Ozone 9.5m Frenzy and a 4.9 Flexi B3. I dont want to launch directly downwind...what do you use that secures the kite at the edge of the wind window during a self launch when its very windy or gusty...

thanks

Lanbro - 22-3-2009 at 03:15 PM

Oh yeah this is in a field...not by the ocean..no sand

SCREWYFITS - 22-3-2009 at 03:26 PM

Heavy bean bags, a kite buddy or not fly and live to fly another day...

Due to it being dangerous to fly in high winds, your best bet (besides not flying) is going to be a flying partner (kite buddy) and have them help you launch at the edge of the window...

I have personally always launched directly down wind and held the breaks very tight and directed the kite to the edge of the window, off to the side as quickly as I can, and others I've watched have sat down while doing the same...
Good luck...

heliboy50 - 22-3-2009 at 04:26 PM

I launch downwind too. Sitting down works OK- just don't get down on one knee. It acts as a great fulcrum to launch you into a cute little superman. I don't like launching at the edge of the window because the kite is more likely to luff and then re-inflate hard with wackiness soon to follow.

kitedog - 22-3-2009 at 04:35 PM

Fill a 1 gallon water jug with sand and set it on the folded upwind tip. When you launch, it will roll off harmlessly.

arkay - 22-3-2009 at 06:26 PM

Sand :) If I'm on the beach I use sand on kite but I also filled one of these bags with sand... but really any thing heavy in a bag that won't give too much resistance should work. I've found I only need a really small amount of weight to keep it down. I've even seen someone use their kite bag with a red-brick in it :singing:

burritobandit - 22-3-2009 at 06:56 PM

If winds are nuts, I just sit, pull the kite, and go for a nice long scud as it goes to zenith. Alternatively, you could sit, pull the kite up a few feet, then immediately steer it to the edge of the window, then climb the edge to zenith.

BeamerBob - 23-3-2009 at 03:48 AM

With the responsiveness you have in high winds, you can steer the kite off the ground. I pull the left handle and relax the right handle until I get the right wingtip off the ground, then fly with a heavy dose of brakes to the left edge of the window. Works a treat as they say in the UK.

bobalooie57 - 23-3-2009 at 05:53 AM

When I first started, I took a length of light rope=to the length of the kite, attached 4 soda bottles(1/2 full of water) equidistant on the rope, and would lay this along the trailing edge of the kite (under the lines!). When I launched, the bottles would just roll off. Packing was easy, just grab the rope. This worked well with my 3.5M Imp. Now I just 'stake the brake' If you attach your brake line to your kite stake at the right point, the kite will sit at the launch ready position when the lines are taut. If winds are too brisk, the kite may 'dance' and spin, another reason to have a kite buddy handy!

Bladerunner - 23-3-2009 at 08:50 AM

This is exactly what you want to try and NOT do if the winds are nuts ! Even though people who have never taken a lesson usually do.

This IS the best way to deal with having to RElaunch in big winds.


Quote:
Originally posted by burritobandit
Alternatively, you could sit, pull the kite up a few feet, then immediately steer it to the edge of the window, then climb the edge to zenith.


Lay the kite flagged out and flip about 1ft of the upwind wing tip over. Place your weight on the folded over bit and walk your lines out on a slight upwind angle. DEPOWER your kite.

As you put tension on the lines the kite will inflate and the downwind wing tip will pick up. Take a bit of time to let the kite mostly inflate. When all looks good give the lines a good tug and the weight will pop off as the bottom edge lifts off. It will sit nice and low in the window while you prepare to get going.

Keep the kite away from zenith until you are sure you aren't overpowered for the gusts and have set your trim strap. Try to avoid standing with the kite at zenith in big winds. If you keep it low you won't get lofted by a gust.

USA_Eli_A - 23-3-2009 at 09:01 AM

sand, board, or sand bag

soccerflyer - 23-3-2009 at 11:27 AM

The economical way . . . fill a few walmart sacks with sand and tie off the top. Be sure to double or triple sack it. It's that easy!! When it get's icy out here we use tube sand in the backs of our trucks to give us some traction. I had one bust open the other day and I used the sand to make my walmart sack weights. :thumbup:

slide - 21-4-2009 at 02:10 PM

with practice , try holding the kite downwind, with brakes on and walk round one way, preparing to laurch the kite the other-every step you take will take power out of the kite...we are aiming to take the kite up the side of the window...after 3 or 4 steps the kite will become jittery (as its not sitting down wind any more-DON'T LET THE KITE FLIP OVER....round to the edge on take off, and up the side of the wind window- you'll will find this easier on ya blade (if its on handles)...this is how i do it

acampbell - 21-4-2009 at 02:32 PM

I use water bottles when not at the beach to use sand. You need them anyway for hydration and they roll off with no snags.

clintopher - 22-4-2009 at 04:02 PM

I live by the beach so always use sand, but what about bags of rice? That might work decent.