I just found this vid. on You Tube, it's a Kite vs. Moth vs. 49'r on an upwind-downwind race course (our typical course).

There is some great footage from the Kite Cam! I won't spoil the ending for you.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l29gGKzmlkU


Too bad they didn't include a fast spinnaker cat. Anyone know how a spin cat compares to a Moth, upwind/downwind?

We (F18s) were on the same course as the 49ers at Newport last year. We were faster both up and down in the moderate conditions (12-15). In very light air the 49er might do better because of quicker maneuvers and the ability to roll tack/gybe.

The comparison with a moth is probably very wind speed and seastate dependent.

Light air: Performance cat will win until the moth can foil consistently. Then moth is gone.

Moderate breeze: If the moth is foiling consistently they are gone

Big breeze: Moths start having trouble when the seastate causes their foils to ventilate or the wand to leave the water. In gnarly stuff a think the cat would have an advantage due to being able to push harder.

If you have a chance, definitely try sailing a moth- it is an awesome experience!

Thanks Jeff, I would love to try a Moth sometime, as long as the water is warm, because that's probably where I'll spend most of my time!

When I watched that video (above) I was really surprized the kite board could get upwind as well, or better, than the Moth, and that the both waxed the 49'er upwind. The wind looked about 10kts or less, no whitecaps, I'm guessing if it were stronger, the kite would have done even better.

The kite does seem to run a lower angle, but makes up for it in speed, going a much further distance than the moth, but then passing him when he tacks and comes back. But going downind, not even close. The only race the Moth won, was when the kite crashed.

I sailed the moth in singapore... Nice and warm!

The scary part with the kites is they have gotten even faster since that video! Super efficient in anything over about 8 knots.

I always knew they were fast, but until that video, I'd never seen one race upwind. I'm surprised they do so well on what is supposed to be "our course" ie. windward/leeward. That's why I was wishing they had put a good, fast catamaran in the mix too.

Yeah, I'm pretty surprised at how well the kite goes upwind too...that's pretty cool. I'm not sure I want to see the catamaran against the kite, honestly.

Well here's the thing, I know a cat will outpoint the board, and the cat might go upwind as well as a Moth, pointing higer, not going lower faster. With the spinnaker, the cat should go downwind a whole lot faster than the Moth, so, even though the kite might win, I think a good fast spinnaker cat would give a kite a much closer race, upwind and down.

There is one big advantage for the kite, besides the obvious weight vs. sail area, the kite can up up much higher into the air column, to get into more wind, vs. the Moth and 49'r sailplan, which has to stay lower.

The kiteboard in the video is quite an old design, the latest ones are much wider with much bigger fins (3x40cm).
When the wind is up they are very tricky to sail downwind though, basically the fins want to push the board out of the water.
Another advantage of the kite is that you can generate extra power by steering and looping it.
Actually hope to try one this summer, should be good fun (and also lots of swimming!).

Kite is fun but a lot of upper body and torso work, more than the other boats. Also more dangerous if it gets out of control!

Looked like Damo hit the mark and did not circle...dunno. Jeff had it right with 49r. F18's were much faster at Newport. In fact, my boat had issues that day with a loosening jib, and we were s l o w...Even with that, 49's were often in the way on the downwinds, trying to control their boats. We steered well clear of a few of them as we passed, as they were prone to wild dumps on variable angles as they attempted to control their rigs. The 49r fleet also seemed to spend a large amount of time swimming that day.

He's probably used to racing under Appendix F "Kiteboard Racing Rules". Rule F3 "Changes to the Rules of Part 3", says (in part) "Rule 31 is deleted".

Try out this day on a Bay http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWINygISxDE&mode=related&search=

Could speed trials be a new wave???

Nice!
Did you see the Hobie 18 with a yellow kite, being pulled left to right at about 1:40 into the video?

The kites and windsurfers looked fast, until the big Tri's ate them up.

There is also a different kiteracing category which is kitefoiling, its like a moth and a kiteraceboard had a lovechild
http://vimeo.com/42574035

That is pretty cool, that and the foiling stand up paddle board in the other video there!

Ever try one of those air chairs behind a powerboat? 1: it's f-ing hard. 2: when you screw up water gets driven through your nose all the way to the back of your skull.
It's seriously one of those toys that's waaaaay easier after a few beers.

There is a kid here on my lake that has one, I've watched him doing back flips on it, looks like something that would kill me in less than 3 minutes!

I'd find a way to hit myself over the head with it, or wrap the tow rope around my neck!

Today there's a float plane fly-in going on out back, I'm going to take the Prindle out and fk with them while they try to land.

This was filmed on my lake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHBFcaI-hp4

The guy flying in that clip is Phil Lockwood, who designed the twin engine Air Cam. Phil lives about a mile up the street from me, and has let me fly his airplane several times, it's great fun, you guys all need one of these! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv3FkwkAVYs

Well 15 float planes showed up, I got in some great reaches and runs. It was so nice out, I spent 4 hours out there. It was blowing 13 to 18 is what the airport automated observation said. I forgot to put on sunblock so I got smoked! My face looks like a tomato, but it was worth it.