Re: [harryproa] Re: Outleader kite

G'day,

Outleaders are triangular in shape, with a control/flying line at each corner. They have a 4th line halfway along the top edge. This is the retrieval line. The kite is hoisted by this and then the flying lines are trimmed. Once the kite is flying the retrieval line stays slack until it is time to drop the kite, at which time 50m/60 yds of line has top be pulled in with the kite streaming from the end of it. At the same time, the 3x50m 3mm spectra flying lines have to be pulled in as well. These lines are all unloaded at this stage, but there is a lot of them and they are easily tangled.

Each flying line has a water wheel and they are on a common axle hung off the beam. Water wheels are 150mm/6" dia plastic drainpipe with 250mm/10" dia ply flanges. On the outside of one of the flanges on each wheel are 8 pieces of 25mm/1" square glass, which are the paddles. The water causes them to rotate, which pulls in the lines.

The bitter end of the retrieval line goes through a pulley mounted on a bucket handle and is then tied to the boat. To retrieve the kite, kick the bucket overboard and it pulls in the line twice as fast as the boat is moving. Haven't tried it yet, but if it works, then 1:3 or higher is conceivable, which means less distance to pull in the bucket (pull all three lines at the same time) and an even quicker retrieval. A trip mechanism on the bucket once the kite is down will make pulling the bucket in much easier.

15 knots forecast for Wednesday, will try it again then, will try and get some photos.

regards,

Rob

----- Original Message -----

From: k_s_oneill

To: harryproa@yahoogroups.com.au

Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2007 11:00 PM

Subject: [harryproa] Re: Outleader kite

Hi Rob

For those of us not up to speed on the whole kite thing, could you
explain some of the cryptic stuff below? You're using a bucket on a
rope in the water to somehow power the kite retrieval?

Thanks,

Kevin

--- In harryproa@yahoogroups.com.au, "Rob Denney" <proa@...> wrote:
>
> G'day,
>
> Now that thge rudders are working, I finally got to try the 40 sqm
kite on El today. Not enough wind (~5-8 knots)
> and the only line that was not adjustable (mast head retrieval line
tied to
> the top of the sail) was too long, so a couple of feet of kite
dragged in
> the water. Just enough to make it hard to set. Got one puff where it
> flew. Pretty impressive. The water driven line retrieval system works,
> will work better with a few mods this weekend. It was great not to have
> 200m of line to untangle and bag.
>
> I did not get to try the foot cleats, nor the 1:2 purchase using the
bucket in the water on the retrieval line.
>
> In 20 knots it is going to be a blast!
>
> reegartds,
>
> Rob
>

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