KiteBuddy
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 15:37
Hi,
Have anyone heard of this product, KiteBuddy?
http://www.thekitebuddy.com/pics/
It supposed to help you to self-launch and self landing. I know it is best to kite with a friend and you can take turn to help each other launch and land.
However, there were many times I was out in Waquoit Bay and wish I had someone close by to help. I thought of getting this KiteBuddy for the summer. It cost $55, a bit expensive I think. I am wondering if this can be made homemade from parts at Home Depot or something. I would like to hear you guys thought.
Thank you,
TN
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 15:44
#1
yo, take a old med sized
yo, take a old med sized duffle bag, tie a clip of some sorts big enough for chic loop onto it with a 2' chuck o line, get to beach fill with sand or rocks and bingo you have a self launch/land anchor, dump the crap out when done.
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 16:45
#2
bag-o-sand works fine
bag-o-sand works fine
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 16:44
#3
I saw one of these in a video
I saw one of these in a video - but come to think of it I don't remember seeing a beach... just a women and her kitebuddy.....
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 18:19
#4
sand skrew
Pretty expensive IMO. but if it works well it could be worth it. I bought http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&i... for $13 should do about the same thing. I won't be self launching anytime soon so you're welcome to take it and try it out if you want.
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 18:26
#5
definitely DO NOT use the
definitely DO NOT use the screw unless you are in very hard ground like a compressed soccer field or something - if you use it in sand it will likely yank out and now you have a large kite AND a dangerous screw to hurt people with - here's what landboarders use but I wouldn't trust it for an LEI kite. 
kite ground stake
Learn to self-launch/land is best along with a bag of sand or just sand off the beach is all you need for an inflatble.
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 18:41
#7
Wow well I'm glad you guys
Wow well I'm glad you guys warned me before I impaled myself with that thing. I was hoping it would have enough grab but guessed it may be too week. I'll take it to the machine shop at school and see if I can make it a bit more effective. Maybe some steel sheet metal off the side of it to increase surface area. If that doesn't work anyone have a PWC and need an anchor?
Tue, 04/14/2009 - 22:00
#8
Sand Screw of Death
I hot the machine shop today to see what I could do to the crappy sand screw. I was able to make it much more substantial. I think it will hold plenty good now and if not I'm just going to attache pipe to allow it to go deeper. If this doesn't hold well at all I'm resorting to an old duffel bag, And my guess is the kitebuddy wouldn't be able to hold much better.
Sand Screw of Death 
Sand Screw of Death2
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 08:14
#9
WOW!
Dakin wrote:
I hot the machine shop today to see what I could do to the crappy sand screw. I was able to make it much more substantial. I think it will hold plenty good now and if not I'm just going to attache pipe to allow it to go deeper. If this doesn't hold well at all I'm resorting to an old duffel bag, And my guess is the kitebuddy wouldn't be able to hold much better.
HOLY CRAP that thing looks scary! I have no idea how you are gonna get it in the ground other than digging a hole and burying it! Also, if worse comes to worse and the kite does fly away, its now got a grappling hook attached to it!
Adam
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 07:28
#10
Kite Buddy etc..
I have a kite buddy you can have for $25 if interested.
I am in Hatteras if you are coming down. If not, let's connect when I get back. The thing works great.
Just screw it in and put kite at edge of window, kite has very little pull, mostly bounce when at edge of window and bar all the way out and kite depowered strap maxed.
I started filling my kite bag with sand adn have webbing tied to it and one carabiner that I attach to the CL whilst launching/landing.
I mostly use it for launches, I'm more adept at self landing so don't use it then much then.
-Greg
207-899-9970
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 10:18
#11
Greg, I call 1st dip on the Kitebuddy
Hi Greg,
I call 1st dip on the Kitebuddy. My number is 781.856.2927. Email tianhuo@gmail.com.
I will go to Avon, Hatteras with the MassKiting guys at the end of the month but if we could meet before then, it would be better.
Thanks
TN
I have to agree with Christian. I have seen that tiny screw yank right out of the sand with little effort. Considering how much power your kite can generate to pull your weight, it will not take much effort to have the screw loose and flying midair.
I like the sand bag idea. I will see what I can whip up.
Thanks everyone.
TN