Ok, i've never ridden in a buggy or even seen one for that matter. I have a few questions. Do people who buggy typically use a harness, or do you fasten the kite to the buggy? The reason i ask is im wondering how you get air without the buggy falling out from under you when you get airborn. Maybe you use a seatbelt?

I am in the process of building a kitesled similar to what "snowspider" describes in the snowkiting forum. I know at some point i'll want to get air and am wondering what is the safest and most practical way to remain attached to the sled when i become airborn. I don't really want to seatbelt myself to the sled, so i am thinking an attachment point on the sled, as close to the center of gravity as possible. Is this a good idea or am i setting myself up for crashes, pain, embarrassment and other nastiness?

Any comments or suggestions concerning this madness would be greatly appreciated!!
Jack

it is called "hotwire " and is not really safe. You will be putting yourself at risk if you fly like that. Some will criticize for it , but it comes down to personal choice. I do ,on occasion ,fly "hotwired". But only if I am pretty sure the wind is going to stay stable for a while. A seat belt w/ a Quick release is what most of the peeps that jump use. A hotwire is more for buggyin overpowered.

I think attaching the kite to the buggy would be dangerous to anyone or anything downwind, if it all goes pear-shaped ... but that's just me thinking it through.
From the vids I've seen of people getting air, they seem to be holding onto the buggy :O

Ok, a seatbelt makes sense. I really didn't think that "hotwiring" a kite to the sled or buggy was a good idea, but i guess i really didn't know. Does anyone make a quick release similar to the release on a kayakers rescue life jacket? That would be preferable to having to push a button to release a seatbelt.

If your new to buggying I would suggest against hotwiring. Once your very comfortable with riding your buggy in any position and can control your kites safely and effortlessly regardless of the circumstances then go ahead and belt in. Some people prefer to wear a harness and then belt in to the buggy while others (myself included) hotwire directly to the buggy. Personally I wouldn't ride any other way but it certainly isnt something to do when your just starting out.
Just my 2 cents of course.;-)

Don't seatbelt in until you can ride forward , backward, transition, 360 and 2 wheel !

A wide velcro strap and pull handle is what I came up with . ( but never used )

Well, as i mentioned, i am building a snowsled, (similar to snowspiders on the snowkite forum) but i figured that seating and handling would be somewhat similar to a buggy and that safety and kite setup would be close to the same. I'll probably just wear my harness for now, but i will most likely have a bit of a time staying seated on the sled. I will have to add some sort of support system to the sides of the seat so i will have something to help keep the force of the kite from pulling me right off of it. But at some point i think a quickrelease belt will be added, when (or if) i get comfortable with using this contraption. Should be interesting :wee:

Sorry, but I must have missed noticing what you fly before posting last time. Since your on depower anyway try setting it up the way snowspider has his,,,,CL and leash down to a caribeaner on the sled. I was thinking fixed bridal before which is the reason for my comments. Good luck with the project. I'm looking forward to checking out Snowspiders rig at Kitestorm. Only a couple weeks away:wee::wee:

I use a three way system with a strap between my legs and a cross over like a T shape. I use heavy Velcro with a line to my safety leash so if I drop the kite the buggy releases from me.. This has worked well for me but don't like the single strap across lap as buggy shifts around to much in the air but with the added strap between my legs holds tight..
IMHO

Yeah getting close to getting it out on the snow. It will be interesting to see how the first edition of this sled works. I'm pretty comfortable on skis, but have no idea of how it's gonna go with the sled. After reading more about buggying and watching videos, I think we may have to add extra supports like the side rails on a buggy for support and stabilization. I'll be posting pics when this thing is up and flying...er i mean sliding.

Kiteyakker,
How did that go? I am new to Roseau, you need to show me around the snowy spots. I think we work in the same place.

Juan