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Kite Cat -
Kite Sailing Catamaran (Launching
a Kite Cat-Video) The NEW Peter Lynn
KiteCat (2005)
Characteristics: Length overall 4.3 m, width
2.0m, weight 35kgms. Glass fibre planing hulls,
stainless steel frame.
Four rudder foot operated steering- 2 forward
, 2 at rear.- for very fast and precise turning.
Main seat: fabric, adjustable. Passenger
seat; glass fibre (optional).
Packed dimensions (for shipping): 4.15m x
0.5m x 0.5m, 1.0 cu.m , 40 kgms.
Transport: fully assembled on car or SUV roof
rack- can be taken off and on by one person.
Recommended Kite Engine:19sq.m Arc style
Venom for the entire wind range up to 50km/hr plus
(experienced users).
Upwind performance: Competitive with most
conventional sailing craft.
Downwind and reaching performance: very fast.
Max. speed to date:- more than 50km/hr .
Wave tolerance: very stable - useable to
about 1.5m (front measure) surf with care and skill.
The KiteCat is the end result of 18 years full time
development, and more than 150 prototypes of every
conceivable style. The key design features of
'upside down' displacement/planing style hulls and
four rudder steering, have been settled since 1997,
but the many minor improvements added since then
have improved useability hugely:--
Like the 'Italian' bum grabbing seat that
holds the flier in - it works like a seat belt, but
it's safe.
Like stainless steel fins- sand just polishes
them, rocks quail as they approach.
Like balance point carrying- leave the kite
to look after itself for a while (it's a Venom!),
stand up and grab the side frames- the KiteCat is
balanced for unaided launching and retrieval.
Like extra flotation- 175kgm/hull- improves
stability and speed and allows for carrying
passengers.
Like duck bill prows- for resistance to
nosediving while surfing waves.
Like the facility to fit an electric outboard
motor for when the wind fails- more adventurous
trips.
But, the improvement that has made the
KiteCat into a truly practicable new type of sailing
craft is better kites. Since our 1999 invention of
the Arc style traction kite, development for the
kitesurfing market has led to spectacular
improvement. The four main breakthrough developments
have been:
Wind range: 'Sheeting' and better gust
response have trebled their range relative to pre
'99 styles.
Upwind performance- measured by lift/drag
ratio- is perhaps 30% better now than for pre'99
kites.
Luff resistance; Arc style kites stay up-
they don't fall out of the sky at the slightest
provocation.
Stability- they will fly hands off, like
single line kites- and stay where they're put to a
useful extent.
The KiteCat is conceived and presented
as a single-design boat for racing and recreational
sailing.
It does not require a high level of athleticism or
physical strength but does require and reward skill.
KiteCat kitesailing is more difficult than
kitebuggying but not as hard as windsurfing or
kitesurfing.
Promotion and development of the KiteCat class
kitesailing boat worldwide is to be by a network of
licensees who will manufacture and distribute
exclusively in their countries or areas.
It is intended that class associations, regatta's
and a world championship will be organised.
Although no doubt many of the first users will come
from kitesurfing and other kitetraction sports,
kitesailing is a sailing sport and the KiteCat will
take it's place with other sailing genres rather
than with the extreme sports- that kitesurfing,
kitebuggying and kiteskiing have become. |
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