New-Style Sailboat Pulled By A Kite

New-Style Sailboat Pulled By A Kite AG WORLD Ag World 19-4-21 "It's more fun than a sailboat and goes a lot faster," says James Schrems about his wind-powered "kiteboat" that's propelled by a large nylon kite. Schrems' "kiteboat" has a pair of fixed pontoons on back and a small castering float up front. A simple frame made from aluminum pipe connects all three floats. A small platform holds a swiveling seat and a winch operated by a pair of foot pedals. The winch lets the 10 by 5-ft. kite out or pulls it back in. Another set of pedals controls movement of the rudder to steer the boat. Hand-operated reins connected to the sides of the kite are used to control its speed and direction. "As far as I know it's the only kite-powered boat that can be launched and retrieved by one person over water," says Schrems. "The seat turns so that the operator always faces the kite. I usually go across the wind for maximum speed. A kite has a lot of advantages over a sail. The wind higher up above the surface of the water is stronger and steadier. Also, a kite lifts the boat up out of the water without applying pressure that could overturn the boat as conventional sails do. There's less resistance so the boat goes faster. "My kiteboat is easy to operate because the main pull is against the winch, not against my hands. The winch has an automatic brake on it so wherever I leave the pedals, that's where the kite stays." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, James M. Schrems, 8650 Ederer Rd., Saginaw, Mich. 48609 (ph 517 781-2096).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.