Date: Thu, 1 Jul 1993 08:28:08 -1000 From: fataq@cc.usu.edu Message-Id: <1993Jul1.122808.69614@cc.usu.edu> Organization: Utah State University Subject: foil self-launch and anchoring I'm relatively new to the group and would like some help with the following: I usually end up kite flying alone and consequently have to self launch most anything I fly. I've been thinking about getting some type of foil or quadrifoil. I seem to recall someone saying that it took an assistant to get them up. Is there a technique to self launch these? It is usually very easy to anchor for a self launch when on grass using a long spike through the handles. Next week however, I'll be heading for the Oregon coast for vacation and some intensive kiting. What kinds of anchoring devices are most useful in sand? I assume its best to get near damp sand, but that is not always possible. And finally, anyone out there headed for Lincoln City for the "4th Oregon SKC" on July 10-11? Anyone know anything about this weekend and what activities are planned? Cheers- Don Fiesinger FATAQ@cc.usu.edu Geology Dept. Utah State University Logan, UT 84322-4505 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 1 Jul 1993 11:25:51 -1000 From: jeffy@syrinx.umd.edu (Jeffrey C. Burka) Message-Id: <20vkov$g6r@umd5.umd.edu> Organization: University of Maryland at College Park Subject: Re: foil self-launch and anchoring In article <1993Jul1.122808.69614@cc.usu.edu> fataq@cc.usu.edu writes: >I usually end up kite flying alone and consequently have to self launch >most anything I fly. I've been thinking about getting some type of >foil or quadrifoil. I seem to recall someone saying that it took an >assistant to get them up. Is there a technique to self launch these? Flexifoils take a bit of practice to self-launch without extra hardware, but it is definitely possible. Single kites are a snap, trains take a bit more work/practice (or hardware). For more info, bug Andrew Beattie (andrew@tug.com) (though he'll probably post something here himself...;-) Quadrifoils (and Windskiers) are *extremely* easy to self launch and will provide no problems. In fact, these kites can be launched out of their bags! >It is usually very easy to anchor for a self launch when on grass >using a long spike through the handles. Next week however, I'll be >heading for the Oregon coast for vacation and some intensive kiting. >What kinds of anchoring devices are most useful in sand? I assume >its best to get near damp sand, but that is not always possible. I don't worry too much about anchoring in sand. For most of my launch-anchoring needs, I rely on a set of Easton aluminum "tent stakes" I picked up last year at REI. One really doesn't need anything too secure just to hold your handles while you set up the kite. The key is to lean the kite back far enough (say, a 30 degree angle above the sand) so as not to catch much wind. Because small stakes like the one I'm speaking of are easily lost in the sand, I usually pick it up and put it in a pocket before I launch the kite. For sturdier anchoring, I use a fishing rod holder. This is a length of PVC tubing maybe 2 feet long. One end is flanged out, the other end is cut at an angle to create a point. Push it into the sand as far as you can without straining too much, and it'll hold just about any kite even if it's standing almost straight up. Obviously, this is *not* to be used for a kite in the air! I think I paid about $4 for one of my two PVC stakes; the other one I found on the beach one day. Finally, for anchoring single line kites, I just use a standard dog stake. I've found it to be sufficient, even in dry sand, for my T-16s and my 13' delta. The stake should be screwed all the way into the ground, and I wouldn't try a kite much bigger than those with just a single dog stake. It's possible to daisy chain multiple dog stakes to distribute the pull (in a manner similar to the one Pat Prosser describes for flying his monster 'foils, though if you don't want to use the long leash line, just put the dogstakes a foot or two from each other) Jeff -- |Jeffrey C. Burka | "When I look in the mirror, I see a little clearer/ | |SAFH Lite [tm] | I am what I am and you are you too./ Do you like | |jeffy@syrinx.umd.edu | what you see? Do you like yourself?" --N. Cherry | = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Thu, 1 Jul 1993 21:59:21 -1000 From: andrew@tug.com (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: Organization: /usr/lib/news/organisation Subject: Re: foil self-launch and anchoring In article <1993Jul1.122808.69614@cc.usu.edu> fataq@cc.usu.edu writes: >What kinds of anchoring devices are most useful in sand? 1) A Jeep. 2) A mailbag full of sand. Andrew -- Work: gaffer@plx.com Phone: +44 793 614 110 Fax: +44 793 614 297 Play: andrew@tug.com Phone: +44 256 464 912 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 5 Jul 1993 03:09:31 -1000 From: salanne@convex.csc.FI (Simo Salanne) Message-Id: <1993Jul5.130931.28449@nic.funet.fi> Organization: Finnish Academic and Research Network Project - FUNET Subject: Re: foil self-launch and anchoring In <2196mn$2bj@kelvin-02.cs.strath.ac.uk> pat@cs.strath.ac.uk (Patrick Prosser) writes: >I've thought of using something filled with water ... emptying it >would be nae bother, but filling it ... How about starting with a case of beer, when it's getting lighter the other container is getting heavier. The total should be about the same most of the time. Would solve another problem, too:-) Simo = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 5 Jul 1993 02:27:03 -1000 From: pat@cs.strath.ac.uk (Patrick Prosser) Message-Id: <2196mn$2bj@kelvin-02.cs.strath.ac.uk> Organization: Comp. Sci. Dept., Strathclyde Univ., Glasgow, Scotland. Subject: Re: foil self-launch and anchoring Andrew suggesting for ground anchor in sand .... a Jeep, or sacks full of sand. Not all of us own a Jeep, and even if we did, on many occasions you wouldn't be allowed to take it onto the beach. I like the idea of sacks, but the thought of filling them, and also emptying them sounds like a real drag. Surely there must be an easier way? What did they use in the festival in Holland? Would the anchor off a boat be any use (and if so, how much would it cost)? I've thought of using something filled with water ... emptying it would be nae bother, but filling it ... Patrick = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 5 Jul 1993 22:34:46 -1000 From: gaffer@plx.com (Andrew Beattie) Message-Id: <1993Jul6.083446.4070@plx.com> Organization: PLEXUS Software, a division of REI Subject: Re: foil self-launch and anchoring In article <2196mn$2bj@kelvin-02.cs.strath.ac.uk> pat@cs.strath.ac.uk (Patrick Prosser) writes: >What did they use [to anchor large kites] in the festival in Holland? Post bags full of sand Jeeps A small army of helpers Fixed posts in the beach (very few) A dirty great earth moving machine Andrew -- Work: gaffer@plx.com Phone: +44 793 614 110 Fax: +44 793 614 297 Play: andrew@tug.com Phone: +44 256 464 912