I put together the winder / launcher to see if it could help with drift launching from a boat.

I've also used it attached to the 19m with no problems, just had to unwind it by hand mostly but it was pretty fast, and probably wouldn't need to be very fast. At the end the bar popped out and the lines were ready.

The kite will be held together clam shape with something, still in the works.

I'd be interested in anybody's comments/ concerns/ what I should change/ good or bad before trying to refine this thing.

Looks awesome Hardrock....

Very slick . Make sure it floats.

one problem i can see with it so far....

when you tuck the floatie leader lines into the bar there will be a lot of force, and they wont want to stay.... also, even if you do get them to stay, you are effectively shortening the brake lines by a good bit, this will cause the kite to stall and choke, falling backwaards into the power zone... maybe find a way to roll it up without tucking the floaties into the barrel?

does that make sense?

also... if the barrel spins out of control while you are launching, it would be wise to have equipment that can stand a few hundred pounds of abrupt pressure, from the spinning device, to the handle, and make sure the bar comes out cleanly every time... a line snag or weak point could cause all manner of problems, including loss of entire rig

maybe some more leverage from the crank would be a good idea? i.e. a longer crank (more radius)

Little misleading calling it a launcher, its just to used for playing out the lines in a drift launch situation, also it doesn't need to float as this will be done from inside the boat.

But it would be nice to send a kite straight up without getting it wet.

very tidy R!

def right about winding it OUT.

the drift tension will light . not as fast as you think kite will be clammed waiting, if a puff opens it a little things will start to move along

all you need is wind , when you have control of the loop/main BE READY , hooked in, back on the transom deck , as soon as it opens and loads up you ARE going in the water! if it is light BIG PULLS on the main as it fills out. being close to the boat, careful not to bump the back of your head in all the action. sitting have the board on is gonna have you ready for business! good luck

Keeping the clam shape while it drifts away is another issue. One of the guys suggested Velcro on the tips which I think is a great idea if I can snatch it apart.

My idea is to attach rubber bands to the pig tails and pull both pigtails on the mains into it, as the lines pull tight, a lesser snatch may pull the pigtails out and apart while the band stays with one, or not.

Got to get some wind soon. I'll try it all in the field for starters but we just can't get enough wind to make the trip, small breezes then it dies.

Think I'll try to find a couple bearings with a 3/8 ID and make this thing smooth and free spinning. Right now I have brass 308 shell casing sleeves in the threaded rods, kind of rough.

Ingenious! I like Phree's advice- if that opens up before you are ready it could be a real eye opener.

While visiting friends with a lakeside vacation house I was contemplating how to launch an arc without a land launch site. I envisioned a platform of fabric framed by inflatable tubes around the perimeter - kind of like an LEI frame. Make it long enough to inflate the whole kite laid out then taco the kite and secure with a tripable hold-down system. I thought of two lines leading to it; one a tether and one a trip line to release the kite. Use a flexible fiberglass spar folded over and positioned between the sticks like a leaf spring. Pull the release and the spring throws the taco open and falls off the kite on a tether leash.

I like that setup Hard Rock.

Rock,

You've got WAY too much time on your hands! That being said, it'll be nice to say I knew you before you became a gazililonare.

All kidding aside, I have been trying to resolve the same issue. I've got a great lake that funnels a nice wind but nowhere to launch.

Seems to me that you set up might be better used by keeping the kite on the boat with a helper holding it clamshelled. The inflator fan used by Angus to fill the kite would be the perfect partner to your winder. Then you and the board go in the water allowing the boat and kite to drift away downwind until the lines are out and you are ready to launch. This would require a small float for the winder so the boat driver could come back and retrieve it. Launching and getting dragged toward the boat has some inherent risk. However, this would mitigate the risk of a premature launch and possibly having the entire kit ripped from your hands.

Let me know when you want to meet somewhere and test this thing.

On a side note, I can see this winder being used for expediting normal launches.

Angus, you should try that idea of yours. Sounds safe, effective and ready when you get ready. It would be no rush to have to launch. I like it.

Mel, the idea of leaving the kite at the boat with a helper is awesome. That would almost guarantee a successful launch.
It does expedite set up on land. I have added bearings and its smooth and easy, rolls off the line without any pull on the kite.

Trying to upload a video of the kite clammed shut with a different idea. Vid failed first time, dunno why but its going again so maybe it will take.

Took the 19m out on the boat today. Absolutely no wind.

But we had a practice session inflating the kite. Started inflating with the spar ends up close the driver seat, as it took over the boat, it was moved towards the back and finally in in the water.

Wished for wind, but nothing but a breeze came. Its going to be a hooj task launching this way. Took less than ten minutes to take on a glass full amount of water. (big glass).

Turned out to be easier than I thought moving it around but when it goes into the water, time will be a factor. I doubt letting it drift away from the boat will work. Would need good wind to launch after water gets in plus the boat will try to drift at the same speed and block the wind from pushing the kite.

So Mel's suggestion of leaving the kite with the boat is still tops. Can't wait to try it.

Encouraging. I had envisioned lauching the kite from the boat using the assisted launch method shown in the PL video. Just ensure that the initial launch is away from the boat and all lines are free and clear.
What type boat are you using?

Boat is shown at the start and end of the vid in this post.

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=13637

Racking my brain on this. Trying to figure out how to launch in the boat where kite nor me gets in the lake. Keeping the kite at the boat will be the next test, I would have tried it but the wind wasn't there.

Faster filling would help also. PC fan prefiller works but I might have to get something quicker with more power to insure complete filling.

How sweet it would be to send the kite up, tie it off and let it fly until you get ready. Working on that also.

Pretty interesting thread.
Anyone using drift launching with any success these days ? :puzzled:

I trust you are all aware of the Turbolaucher ?

http://kitelauncher.com/

Cool rig. Consider adding a method to pull 2 feet of slack in on the top lines as you start winding. This might allow you to fly an Arc off the top lines while winding out. That said, flying load applied to the drum could squeeze the drum, prevent spinning, rip it out of your hands or otherwise render it inoperable.

But that's just my optimistic view of how things might turn out. :-)

Philip