Boat Launch

Many people keep asking us how to launch a kite from a boat while we are on a cruise. Often we go to an island close by and launch from the beach, but if there is no suitable launching place close by or you are an experienced rider and prefer to launch from the boat, here´s a video on how we do it. It is definitely easier to do on a catamaran as there is more open space on the back of the boat, but it can also be done on a monohull.

Step 1:
Pump your kite at the back of the boat

Step 2:
Flip your kite around & attach the kite bridle to the boat

Step 3:
Run the lines around the boat & attach them to the kite as you would on the beach. Once you attached the line to the kite, wrap up your bar again, making sure to not get any lines messy again.

Step 4:
Slowly unravel the lines and let the kite drift away from the boat. Keep pressure on one centre line at all times to prevent the kite from turning around and powering up.

Step 5:
Attach the chicken loop to cleat on the boat and also secure it with a leash. You can also do this step before you unravel the lines, especially if it is fairly windy.

Step 6:
Untwist lines and make sure they are all clear. If they are not and you cant sort it out by twisting the bar, pull the safety and start again.

Step 7:
Depower your kite and move it to the edge of the window

Step 8:
Grab board and harness, hook your kite in, launch your kite & ride away. Make sure you have plenty of space above you when launching the kite from the boat. On a monohull, space can be limited and it might be easier to jump in the water once attached to the kite and launch from there.