Self Launching/Landing with Pet "Corkscrew" Type Anchors Vid

[Jnonny]

Recently did a test comparing the holding strength of the KiteBuddy (Self Launching & Landing Aid) to a Pet "Corkscrew" type anchor ..and the Pet Anchor essentially offered little to no hold at all in loose/dry sand..

These pet type anchors seem to be popular for self launching and landing, but they really offer "zero" hold in loose/dry sand –the Pet type Anchors can also be very misleading regarding “secure” hold ..as screwing them down can offer a firm/resistive feeling creating the illusion of a secure hold --only to be yanked right out with the slightest wiggle/yank..

Here's a video depicting the strength of a pet cork screw type anchor compared to the KiteBuddy in loose/dry sand:



**Extreme loose/dry sand will offer limitations to sand anchors in general ..and some conditions may not be suitable for anchor use --Any anchor used for kite launching/landing should be tested/verified prior to use in new environments/conditions.. (as well as before and after each use) --{secondary/back-up anchors can/should be used in extreme dry/loose sand –one primary to CL and one to flag-out point}



-John
===========
KiteBuddy - Kitesurfing Self Launching & Landing Aid
http://www.thekitebuddy.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Konza]

I use one of these:


Lasts long and cheap. Just attach a thick rope and a carabiner.
Total cost: 12$/10€

[nwk]

konza, where did you get that thingy and can you get it online

cheers
P

[ronnie]

konza, where did you get that thingy and can you get it online

cheers
P

Set of 4 of them.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-Galvanised-Stee ... dZViewItem" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Konza]

konza, where did you get that thingy and can you get it online

cheers
P

I bought mine in a boat shop in italy some years ago for about 7-8€ I think.
Actually to secure a catamaran on the beach before a heavy storm

[Jnonny]

I use one of these:


Lasts long and cheap. Just attach a thick rope and a carabiner.
Total cost: 12$/10€

Definitely a strong looking anchor –just not very portable/convenient (i.e. long, heavy, bulky steel w/ sharp edges, etc..) ..also looks to offer some issue on installing –needing some type of shaft/leverage to install and also requiring soft/deep sand to bore down without massive leverage and/or getting stuck (below the surface the “soft” sand factor can diminish rapidly).. Appears to be a good option though when conditions warrant/allow for it..



-John
===========
KiteBuddy - Kitesurfing Self Launching & Landing Aid
http://www.thekitebuddy.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Konza]

Yeah you need a iron rod to bore it into hard sand.
But it's okay - takes you about 2 minutes. But better to leave it on your
favourite spot and put it all the way in and mark it with a sign.
Nobody will steal it if it sits one day in - very difficult to get it out again...
Cheap enough to buy 2-3 of them

[Kosh]

On our local beach we are going to use this one. It is 75cm long, going to be in the ground permanently.

[kitestiff]

Careful with that idea! I work in the building materials industry and we sell these post spikes. Typically these spikes (for 4x4" or 6x6") posts are hammered into the ground 30-36". Around these parts these are typically used for fence posts, and since in our area of Ontario we typically have a frost penetration of almost 1.2m we see a lot of upheaval from the associated forces. It's not uncommon to see these posts get pushed out of the ground (typically only a few inches mind you) due to the aforementioned forces acting upon them.

In regards to this being used as a launching/landing aid, I would be worried about it's ability to resist uplift from the vertical forces created by the kite. Typically you'd only be dealing with horizontal forces in launch/land mode, but if things go pear shaped I would expect it would be possible to witness the post spike get yanked out of the sandy ground. I'm not trying to outright abolish your idea, but just put some thought into how it will be remain in the ground, in a sandy environment.

On our local beach we are going to use this one. It is 75cm long, going to be in the ground permanently.

[ronnie]

Large Ground Anchors are available. This company lists companies in Sweden and Norway.

http://www.cbsproducts.com/D-457.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;