KITESAILING FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

I have been concentrating on developing the T.S.P.K.S. (transportable
single person kitesailer) and this has a good chance of gaining
popularity especially if the lack of an on-the-water kite launching
system can be rectified.

There are other exciting possibilities for water based kite power:

*     Although I consider blasting downwind in a gale behind, effectively,
      a parachute, as cheating, if
      kitesailers can get the world sailing speed record (approximately
      43kn) this way then they'll get my applause.

*     Kites could be developed as auxiliary or emergency sails for
      yachts, fishing boats, power boats, etc.  Even big ships?!  A simple
      left or right bias settable single line parafoil could be easily
      included in most boat's safety inventory.  In cases of dismasting
      or motor failure the kite would get you home.  Upwind performance
      wouldn't be necessary but might be possible.  A choice of course; 
      downwind + 45 degrees, would always get you to land eventually.

*     Trans oceanic kite sailing.  Complicated and sophisticated kite
      launching/retrieval systems are definitely feasible but don't seem
      currently cost effective on small single person boats.  They would
      be feasible for 10m and up multi crew ocean going boats (who takes
      the midnight to dawn kite flying watch - Robert Loera claims he can
      fly stunt kites in the dark!)  An added advantage of
      launching/retrieval winch systems is that they can be contrived
      such that the kite pull is always through the boats hydrodynamic
      centre of pressure - no substantial heeling forces, hence mono
      hull craft would work fine.

*     It is possible to use a kite to pull a windsurfer type board with
      the flier standing up and flying the kite through a pulley at deck
      level (to keep tipping forces within bearable bounds).  I've tried
      this.  Getting started is a bit tricky and steering is not as sharp
      as necessary for consistent course making.  What about adding
      foot operated pressure pads linked to a rudder?

1992 has witnessed some exciting developments in kitesailing.  There has
been a challenge proposed as a focus for further development.  A
kitesailing race across the English Channel.  It's definitely an
unrealistic dream, but I would like to kitesail my entry in this event from
New Zealand to England and am convinced now that this is practicable. 
However, available time and resources should be going into fundamental
system development not into grandstanding publicity stunts like this.

*     I am now certain that the water launching problem can be solved,
      soon and in more than one way.  Four line kites can usually be
      relaunched off the water, but winch systems may be the definitive
      answer.

*     Apparent wind luffing problems are now obviously solvable,
      substantially by using four line kites and totally with winch
      systems.

*     Traction Kite Development is advancing rapidly all over the world. 
      For example from France, the Legaignoux Bros, after 4 years full
      time development work have announced a range of 4 line
      controllable kites in the 7m2 to 17m2 range specifically for
      kitesailing. - More about 4 line traction kites under "Other
      Available Traction Kites".

"The future holds more wonderful devices than even our imagination's
imagination can imagine".