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Kite scooter could outpace raceboards: Prototype video

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kibokit
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Kite scooter could outpace raceboards: Prototype video

Postby kibokit » Fri Jun 14, 2013 8:30 am

Race course kite boards can reach tremendous speeds easily exceeding 20knts in very light winds from 6knts onwards, if operated by skilled riders.
While this sounds like an excellent alternative to "classical" kite boarding, when the wind is just to light, hardly anyone seems to do it.
Main reason for this, I suppose, is a steep learning curve and it being physically and mentally exhausting, at least for beginners.
In the following video I am presenting a prototype of a kite scooter with a heel free rigging system, which could be operated almost instantly and effortlessly by any kiter.
I am convinced that, once properly designed by more qualified people than I am, it will performance-wise at least be on a par, if not even ahead of raceboards (due to a more effective fin/foil and the ability to use a bigger kite enabled by the heel free design).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwZCBWkIf2Y



Any feedback, praise, concerns, suggestions, questions, etc. welcome

Ingo

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Re: Kite scooter could outpace raceboards: Prototype video

Postby Toby » Fri Jun 14, 2013 8:39 am

It always amazes me what human kind is inventing...how the hell did you think of this?
Just the front part is just amazing how it works!

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Re: Kite scooter could outpace raceboards: Prototype video

Postby Hawaiis » Fri Jun 14, 2013 8:40 am

Very good idea, I am interested if you start production.

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Re: Kite scooter could outpace raceboards: Prototype video

Postby ronnie » Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:13 am

I'm all for new ideas - if they work better in some way than old ideas.

This looks OK at slow speeds, but this guy found that he needed suspension for travelling at speed over water.
http://www.handikite.fr/resources/_wsb_ ... G_1854.jpg

Water gets effectively 'harder' the faster you go.

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Re: Kite scooter could outpace raceboards: Prototype video

Postby Starsky » Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:29 am

any safety concerns?

wouldn't want to bury the nose in a big swell and take a header into that blade

could be interesting to see a few of those crash as speed rounding a downwind mark!

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Re: Kite scooter could outpace raceboards: Prototype video

Postby kibokit » Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:44 am

Hawaiis wrote:Very good idea, I am interested if you start production.
I am going to try to convince some bigger companies, preferably kite board manufacturers, to bring this to market. No idea, however, how long this is going to take, but certainly a while.

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Re: Kite scooter could outpace raceboards: Prototype video

Postby kibokit » Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:50 am

ronnie wrote:I'm all for new ideas - if they work better in some way than old ideas.

This looks OK at slow speeds, but this guy found that he needed suspension for travelling at speed over water.
http://www.handikite.fr/resources/_wsb_ ... G_1854.jpg

Water gets effectively 'harder' the faster you go.
As the sitting position is between kite-lifted bow and the relatively small planning area at the stern, the rides on the prototype were very smooth, and probably will even be so in much higher speeds, than I have experienced so far (up to 13knts in open sea).

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Re: Kite scooter could outpace raceboards: Prototype video

Postby kibokit » Fri Jun 14, 2013 11:18 am

Starsky wrote:any safety concerns?

wouldn't want to bury the nose in a big swell and take a header into that blade

could be interesting to see a few of those crash as speed rounding a downwind mark!
This is definitely a valid concern.
The trailing edges of the carbon hydrofoils I used in this prototype were originally razor sharp and still seemed anything but harmless even after sanding and dulling them.
They indeed were my major safety concern when trying out the prototype and prevented me from getting it to its limit.
I wouldn't even consider bringing this to market without replacing the complete trailing edges of the foils by rubber lids.

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Re: Kite scooter could outpace raceboards: Prototype video

Postby greginkw » Fri Jun 14, 2013 11:43 am

Could be something in this for disabled / paralyzed people, you would need to work on a few safety aspects for them though, well done!

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Re: Kite scooter could outpace raceboards: Prototype video

Postby frankm1960 » Fri Jun 14, 2013 12:57 pm

kibokit wrote: Main reason for this, I suppose, is a steep learning curve and it being physically and mentally exhausting, at least for beginners.
In the following video I am presenting a prototype of a kite scooter with a heel free rigging system, which could be operated almost instantly and effortlessly by any kiter.

Any feedback, praise, concerns, suggestions, questions, etc. welcome

Ingo
If no one's using raceboards it might be because it's a whole new discipline in the same way using a surfboard is. They're not more difficult, they require new and different skills than TT. You have to take time to learn it. Not only that you have to pay for the damn board... more gear... more decisions on what to use and when, more stuff to carry around :lol:

That scooter is just another one of those light wind tools.... a reinvention of the already pretty good wheel sort of... except it looks more complicated and awkward and heavy and WAY more dangerous and not likely easy to learn like you say and likely way less fun cause you're getting your ass whooped by the seat :lol:

You can use a nice simple name like scooter to fool people all you want but it is what it is... a frankenstinean, heavy, dangerous, giant blender waiting for it's first victim. Totally ridiculous and not worth a penny of investment dollars. I say total waste of energy and time.

If you were on shark tank they'd bite you :lol:
But then I don't know squat about investing in new products :lol:

You did ask and so now I'll let you pummel me :lol:


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