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Yup, did a Hobie 14 foot also. We did it hooked to the boat and also hooked to us.
Don't remember which worked better.

a hobie wave is like $5k and it's hard to buy a cheap one used. Those hobies are such nice sailboats it seems a shame to turn it into a low wind kite ride.

There are some older ones around here that come up for sale in the $500 range needing a little TLC. The mast is removeable, so you still have a perfectly good sailboat when you are not kiting on it. Those new kayak based ones would be cool (especially if you could steer them with your feet), but they are pricey.

edt wrote:a Hobie wave is like $5k and it's hard to buy a cheap one used. Those Hobies are such nice sailboats it seems a shame to turn it into a low wind kite ride.

You need real power for the Hobie, not really a real low wind hull with a kite.
There are cheap Hobies to be had here.
I would think big race directionals go out in the lightest winds.
Next probably the the Sectors of all three sizes.
Then maybe an SUP, but I'm not sure.
Then a big twintip.
Then a big surfboard, but maybe that beats a big twintip.
Skimboards go out in real light winds too.

Oldnbroken wrote:

edt wrote:a Hobie wave is like $5k and it's hard to buy a cheap one used. Those Hobies are such nice sailboats it seems a shame to turn it into a low wind kite ride.

You need real power for the Hobie, not really a real low wind hull with a kite.
There are cheap Hobies to be had here.
I would think big race directionals go out in the lightest winds.
Next probably the the Sectors of all three sizes.
Then maybe an SUP, but I'm not sure.
Then a big twintip.
Then a big surfboard, but maybe that beats a big twintip.
Skimboards go out in real light winds too.

problem is if you are 10 miles from land on an island and you snap a line or wind dies & u have 2 paddle back. That's why SUP seems best.

I agree, I like the sound of your plan.
I think you are going the right way, for sure.

Agree with Windway. Also have a "Sweet Potato" and love it for light wind. At 200 lbs, I used to take out my long board to mess around on light wind days until I demo'd a 5'8" and 5'6" Sweet Potato. So much volume for such a small package. And like Windway already stated, snappy turns and a blast to ride on any swell over 1 foot. Currently have a 5'4" that I have not stop riding since I bought it on Craigslist a month ago.

edt wrote:

Oldnbroken wrote:

edt wrote:a Hobie wave is like $5k and it's hard to buy a cheap one used. Those Hobies are such nice sailboats it seems a shame to turn it into a low wind kite ride.

You need real power for the Hobie, not really a real low wind hull with a kite.
There are cheap Hobies to be had here.
I would think big race directionals go out in the lightest winds.
Next probably the the Sectors of all three sizes.
Then maybe an SUP, but I'm not sure.
Then a big twintip.
Then a big surfboard, but maybe that beats a big twintip.
Skimboards go out in real light winds too.

problem is if you are 10 miles from land on an island and you snap a line or wind dies & u have 2 paddle back. That's why SUP seems best.

Sorry about the side track dudes. I just brought up the cat because it sounded like a funny thing to do with a kite.

SUP is definitely the way to go for what you want to do. There are also some companies that make plastic fishing SUPs that have alot of utility built into them. That might be the way to go if making a long trip.

Maybe something like this:
http://www.austinkayak.com/products/101 ... 4AodSEQAEA

I think the Naish Nalu 10'10" would be perfect for what you want.

http://naishsurfing.com/nalu-10-10-gs/

1) 201L of float, rated to 240 lbs but it will still float with probably 280 lbs

2) multi-concave bottom, basically it has like 8 tiny hulls on the bottom of the board so you don't have to sink a rail

3) Forward gear net to attach your cooler

4) 32" wide easy to balance after a few brews

5) 10'10" is short for this volume so easier to move and store

KYLakeKiter wrote: Sorry about the side track dudes. I just brought up the cat because it sounded like a funny thing to do with a kite.

I have definitely thought about the hobie + kite before, it does seem like fun but not something you would do every day