[leadin]Using kites to sail canoes or kayaks is not new. But a new controller looks like a slick way to manage your kite on the water.[/leadin]
The RX Controller gives canoe and kayak “sailors” the ability to manage their kite with a reel system, keeping lines at the right length and helping with deployment and stowage.
The RX Controller is designed for use with two line-foil kites. To deploy a kite, you hold it and fill it with wind, then you reel it out. You steer with an attached control bar.
When you are done with the sail, you can reel it in and resume paddling.
Wind Power
It is available in two models, a small controller (the Kite Controller) with 250 lb. lines, and the larger RX Controler with 500 lb. lines.
Both are available on Kickstarter now starting at $150.
While this product is very niche (you need to own a kite in addition to the controller) this system is an option if you’re looking for a way to speed up your canoe or kayak by the power of the wind.
RX
- Control lines: Two 500-pound, 15 meter long control lines
- System width: 30”
- Materials: Aluminum, UV-resistant plastic, stainless-steel
- Recommended Wind: 10 to 20 knots
- Recommended Kites: 3 to 4 square meter two-line foil (HQ Hydra 3.0, HQ Hydra 3.5, HQ Hydra 4.0)
Kite
- Control lines: Two 250-pound, 20 meter long control lines
- System width: 23”
- Materials: Aluminum, UV-resistant plastic, stainless-steel
- Recommended Wind: 10 to 20 knots
- Recommended Kites: 1 to 3 square meter, two-line foil kites (HQ Hyda 3.0, NAISH XEON 2.0, NAISH XEON 1.3)
