downunder wrote: ↑Thu Apr 29, 2021 12:57 pm
joriws wrote: ↑Thu Apr 29, 2021 8:23 am
Peter_Frank wrote: ↑Sat Apr 24, 2021 2:28 pm
With a LEI, you just sit on your board, and let the LEI drag you even if ever so slowly, ashore.
Also, the very fact that you GOT some buoancy from the kite
I wonder Peter as you are long term kiter and I know you at least had closed cell foil kites that you cannot comprehend that foil kite can be used similar downwind sail as LEI kite. I know basic LEI self-rescue is a bit different with kite turned "up" more like normal riding orientation.
Sit on your board and grab wing tips and if there is any residue wind it will grab the kite canopy and sail you downwind. I've done it once but without board, just on my PFD and kite-sail and bespite of beliefs kite is also visible for rescuers.
If there is some wind it even helps on keeping over-pressure inside the kite i.e. inserting new air. If the wind goes dead calm the kite will keep it's air (Flysurfers at least, don't know Elfs I think you had) for tens of minutes. Only thing which was true on your writing is that you cannot use foilkite as buoyancy aid as your weight on kite will help push air out. Take a Restube with you if you see that as a problem.
If we take from the video on this thread. At this stage if there is 1m/s wind, grab the wing tips and try to lift leading edge up to create more wind resistance and also engage ram-air vents to more air for infinite downwind surfing. If wing tip grabbing does not work you can also try with central A-lines but wing tips are more convenient. And if wind comes back unroll lines and launch the kite. Just think yourself the least effort to get to safety, swimming with board is not probably least effort for kilometer swim.
Screenshot_2021-04-29 Flysurfer Foil Kite - Water Self Rescue - YouTube.png
This is all good but u forgot the biggest difference:
- no matter what, the kite will take water. Heaps of it.
- Sometimes more than 3 people is needed to get the kite out of water, or risk ripped internal fabric
- and third, why highjacking the thread when OP asks for one struts?
joriws, indeed it could be possible in some conditions, but not very "safe" IMO, and I agree with downunder.
The video shows a heavier kite which takes in water slower than typical UL foil kites, which we have to use when light wind.
Say I am out with my 15 m2 C.A.Pulsion in 5 knots of wind, and the wind drops - then I can not foil nor relaunch.
And it does not necessarily end on the water "nicely on its back", meaning water gets inside even quicker - also in general the thinner lighter kite materials takes in water faster - so the drift to shore which is slow even if close, will have the kite take in water.
Must say I dont believe I could do like in the video if 3 knots of wind - as then there could be even less at the surface.
Getting all small bridles tucked away, avoiding messing with your foil, can also be a challenge and risk.
Finally, WHEN you get to shore, no matter if on the "folding" method or not, the water means you have to be extremely careful in order to get ashore, avoiding the "kite crunching" shorebreak no matter how small it is.
So you have to stand for a long long time draining water out - which in winter conditions is a no go...
Of course all above is easier with smaller foil kites and more wind, true, but there is a higher risk and more work/trouble compared to a LEI, when you have to get ashore - which is the OP reason for not choosing a foil kite.
Peter