launching from a boat

gray38off · Post by **gray38off** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 11:06 am

I'm interested to find out how others are launching from boats or pwc's. i've tried a couple different ways, looking for input...

wavie_gravie · Post by **wavie_gravie** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 5:42 pm

I did this in Catalina.
Super light winds so tough, but it depends on the kite.

With the old C kite, I had a dude on wave runner take the kite with the lines attached and pull line out, and then I jumped in away from the boat (about a 90 footer). then when lines were taught and the waverunner was tugging me a bit they launched it. you drag but no biggie in open water. they had a compressor too, so they blew up my kite on the dive deck in the back. it was a 21 too....really a bit of a pain. I set up my line from the stern to bow (bar on the bow) 27 meter lines. helps to have a big boat. and a cool captain.

Read how Chip and those guys did it from the farrallons on this site as well.

HOWEVER
With the new kites you can drop it LE down let the wind take it and hot launch by pulling the back lines while in the foot straps....see video's on most sites.

the other is the "self launcher" product that works really well.
See his web site...nice product. I will find the website and post it.

Greg · Post by **Greg** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 9:38 pm

It's called a Turbo-Launcher. I've only seen two so far but both people seemed happy with its proformance.
L.M.G.

moblvet · Post by **moblvet** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 10:09 pm

1. Pack kite with bar attached.
2. Anchor boat.
3. Inflate kite onboard stern, attach kite to stern line, kite LE down, C shape facing downwind.
4. In water pay out lines swimmimg/floating downwind, check lines when extended, hook in.
5. Back to boat, sit on transom, attach board to feet, let kite loose from stern line, launch C way or SLE way.
6. High winds, I try to anchor leeward side of island, close to high wind path and stay in water and float into it. Along coast you're just there in the wind, if a lot of wind, I also stay in water and release kite.
7. Or pump up my Avon and row to shore.

Been thinking of a winch on stern to pay out lines with kite LE in water, C shape towards wind.
So grey38, what's been your experience?

gray38off · Post by **gray38off** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 10:18 pm

I have a houseboat. I do a similar technique t what u describe. set-up on shore, then inflate kite on swim step. swim away from boat as I unwind. It takes some time, but I get to kite in some cool spots on the lake. (oroville)

moblvet · Post by **moblvet** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 10:30 pm

Not many islands or coastal waves to deal with, huh.
Funny, was just up there with a friend who's trailer court property, the City is trying to abate for prostitution and drug dealing, unbeknowngst to her.

bhsu24 · Post by **bhsu24** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 12:23 pm

gray38off wrote:I have a houseboat. I do a similar technique t what u describe. set-up on shore, then inflate kite on swim step. swim away from boat as I unwind. It takes some time, but I get to kite in some cool spots on the lake. (oroville)

my brother-n-law's family have a summer house up there and we go up there to wakeboard and ski, we are heading up there next weekend ill definatly bring my gear and try and launch off a ski boat

Don Bogardus · Post by **Don Bogardus** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 12:42 pm

See my post on kiteforum.com

moblvet · Post by **moblvet** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 1:04 pm

Don, need a title to find whatever post you're referring to on kiteforum

Don Bogardus · Post by **Don Bogardus** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 10:40 pm

Title: How to launch from a boat. Kitforum user name:DBKITER

BayAreaKiteboarding.com

launching from a boat

boat self launch, 26' Osprey

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