Kites ???

[Salish Rover]

After a great day at Trawler Fest today a group of Tugnuts got together for a supper dinner at Bob and Nita's house, as we were eating someone brought up the topic of flying a kite from a Ranger Tug while underway. It seems that that there are many ways and pull points based on direction of travel ,wind speed, type and size of the kite and what benefits are attained from doing such a thing. All very interesting. Looking forward to your comments. Thanks

Regards

 

[walldog]

Craig, excellent idea. On South Padre Island in Texas where we live, there are a couple of kite shops with really high tech kites. Lots of kites and flags flying on the beaches down there. Each year there is a kite flyoff. Contestants complete with some really elaborate designs. Not like the kite flying days of my youth. I once won an award in a kite flying contest. We were limited to homemade designs. The category I won was for the smallest kite that actually flew. My mother displayed the picture of me with my kite proudly for many years. Maybe we could have contests at rallies.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Here's a link to a company who has been developing/providing kites to the marine industry...

http://www.kiteship.com/index.php

 

[Andrew Custis]

Never heard of this idea but it sure sounds like a good one.

 

[baz]

Hmmmm.... could this mean that with my kite flying up ahead of my travel direction I would have right-of-way as a kite-sailboat ? :lol:

 

[Nellie Too]

This would create wind drag which would effect fuel economy. I thought I'd put Nita on a parasail, at least she could act like Google map.
Bob
:lol: :lol:

 

[baz]

... a new kind of RADAR reflector maybe ? ... making the Ranger Tug appear as a HUGE tug. :lol:

 

[BaseCampAnne]

On a somewhat related vein, I am interested in a colorful ripstop nylon "banner-type" object to fly from Cascadia. When I manage to put in some hours driving the boat and reorganize my still-full storage locker I intend to pursue the idea, but it will not be a true kite nor utilitarian. I am missing my garden art and various wind chimes (while loving the life of a liveaboard) so am dreaming of something that will celebrate the wind and be colorful.

Currently I am watching the snow coming down in Breckenridge, CO, and the streams overflowing their banks. My granddaughter is on the mend now so hopefully I will join the gathering at Fisherman's in Seattle next weekend :!:

 

[baz]

Hey Anne: Glad you are keeping things right with your granddaughter and hope she's in good recovery at this time. Hurry back if you can to Cascadia in Anacortes in time to maybe cruise down to Fisherman's Terminal with Bob & Nita, Herb & Willie who I believe are leaving for Fisherman's around Wed this coming week.

BTW... and I don't mean to rub salt into the wound... I have your glass icicles hanging on a slender tree branch right outside my house 'man cave' and they make that nice chinking sound now and then, plus when the sun rays hit them they really do look like icicles. The other glass item you gave us hangs from under our covered patio roof and with the sun out we get nice green-like rays flowing out of it. We hope the shell hanging in your shower room is inspiring you... :roll: Thanks... 🙂

Who's looking after Gus while you're away ?

Take care and do try to make the Fisherman's Terminal meeting for next weekend.

 

[JamesTXSD]

Hmmmm.... could this mean that with my kite flying up ahead of my travel direction I would have right-of-way as a kite-sailboat ? :lol:

ONLY if it's your sole means of propulsion. Even a sailboat that is motorsailing is considered a powerboat in the ColRegs.

 

[conniemarie]

We often let our 8 year old son fly a kite from the back! Works extremely well, and keeps him entertained too!