Kite Scooter - a small & fast kite sailing boat
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- Seated kiteboarding in light wind in Goa!
This kite-scooter, despite being an amateur-built and somewhat crude and heavy prototype, is a fast, incredibly versatile, easy to operate and amazing sail craft
Designed for light wind and flat water conditions
it is best powered by any light wind surf kite, the bigger the better.
The ingenious bow-mounted pivotable rigging system - not only provides the lateral resistance vital for upwind sailing
in the most effective conceivable way by using one hydrofoil for each tack,
It even transmits only the desired components of kite and foil generated forces to the hull, but not a tiny little bit of heeling moment, the main performance limiting and often unease generating factor of any conventional sail craft.
The value of the mentioned assets
highly effective asymmetric foils combined with a huge sail area enabled by a completely heel free design,
becomes apparent by the fact that these are shared by no less a sail craft than the VESTAS Sailrocket, which just recently has smashed the existing speed records for water based sailing.
Objective of my kite-scooter concept is not, however, to chase speed records,
but to create a maximum of excitement in the lightest of winds,
in a craft that could be operated after
nothing but a short instruction,
by anyone able to safely fly a surf kite.
Once the many variable parameters in foils, rig and hull are optimized,
I am expecting downwind speeds of considerably more than 20knts,
in as little as 6knts of wind.
That would about match the performance of race course kite boards
and certainly be fast enough to have some fun.
I am next going to find
and hopefully convince the right people
to help me turn this from a concept
into an awesome product
and you might be able to help me as well,
by sharing this clip or simply giving some feed back!
Please rate, share and comment.
foil this thing and float over the bumps! Love it.
The solution for those of us who kite buggy, kite surfed for a few years but never liked is as much kite buggying. I had pontoons for my buggy, and it was fun, but this looks amazing to me! Cant wait to see the updates!
Cool Idea.
Hi I use a power kite used for buggys
Well done a brilliant idea not everyone wants to put a kite to a short board and jump and on the light wind days this would provide an amazing thrill and open up the sport to a much high percentage of people and who knows what the future holds but maybe even a race class in itself
Awesome! It's like kiteboarding sans the fun!
would love to see a model that could accommodate two people (ie myself and one of my kids), would almost certainly buy one if i could share the joy of kiting with my kids. congrats on a great variation.
that's a very facinating rotatable keel mechanism you have there.
like your system ..self-regulating traction.. big up!
Looks like an Oscar Meyer Wiener. Cool Concept!
Awesome Idea! to share the sport with handicap people!!!! well done man!
Great idea! Good for bad or poor wind also.
Excellent idea, I hope you continue improving it and one day take it to the market and make tons of money of it, can't wait to buy one when it's public,
Nice, I've been riding the 21m Speed3 and waiting for this for better and faster light wind riding.
Like it a lot! Not interested in kite surfing, in spite of the fact that I've been windsurfing and kite flying on and off for 30 years. But now I'm older, I like the look of this.
wordreet - have a video somewhere in my gopro archives of a 58 yr old I met out at SPI doing a buggy way out alone in the northern dunes - he said he had to give up windsurfing because of the pain in his joints / arthritis however can still kiteboard / buggy just fine
*****
I guess I'm not doing so bad then at 61. I can still windsurf, kite fly, skateboard (longboard cruising mostly) and ride my mountain bike down to the quayside cafe for coffee and cake. I have had to buy a bigger wetsuit though. ;¬)
Looks ace.
Very clever. Be fun to see where this goes.
Fabulous well done good luck!
You're an intelligent man!
Great concept and design, if you ever wish to do more testing in Australia, drop me a line.
Our winds during the winter season are generally fairly consistent in the Whitsundays.
Excellent flat bay to practice and facilities to tinker..I have been asked by many sailors (motor and wind) if it would be posssible to attach a kite to there boats - I think there is great potential for this market.
il mio amico dice che sei un grande....congratulation
vraiment génial comme invention
Really cool, keep it up, thats fantastic!
Brilliant!
Great! Well done
Fantastic! Fun to Watch!
Fantastic Ingo aloha don
very impressive. surely out of the box thinking,,,, probably even out of the round….
The idea is awesome but those long fins look terrifying! I don't want to be decapitated by one of them!
simonTemplar The carbon fins originally were indeed razor sharp and even after sanding them the trailing edges are a major concern (which doesn't stop me from further testing and developing). If this thing is ever broughtt to market, they (the trailing edges) definitely should be made of rubber or the like.
incredible! thanks!
Muy bueno saludos desde jalisco mexico
Creativity is not dead. Inventive.......
Fantastico
kickstarter this. Good job!!
Nice concept, I do believe the tow point is to far forward and doesn't help hull efficiency!
Maybe the foil lever doesn't need to be so long?
I also think the aft rocker in the hull shape is unnecessary as it doesn't improve the planning mode.
Excellent concept. With the double foils and the rotation, the person can sail on all points of sail.
Questions: Do the foils relieve any of the pull of the kite? If so, roughly how much? a little, 50% a lot, all of it? Finally, between the kite and the foil, where is the center of force? at the ring, further up the line or closer to the rudder? Great Idea. Sailrocket uses the same concept but with a solid wing and in only one direction. They did pretty good, huh? your idea has value.
+Vinnie Ice Gallagher
I am not sure, if I fully understand your questions, trying to answer anyhow:
the effective (kite) force attachment point is at the tip of the lever arm (where the ring, through which the kite lines are guided, is attached to), I can change it's position, and with it the point of sail, through a pulley system. All of the pull of the kite is redirected but then attached to the harness, which I am wearing.
The principal positioning of sail (=kite/airfoil) and hydro-foils(fins) is indeed exactly the same as in the Sailrocket, so the performance potential should be enormous. Only a lack of stability has thus far prevented me from reaching really impressive speeds, my speed record currently stands at 18knts (in ~8knts of wind), but it will probably be bettered pretty soon, as I am currently learning to comfortably operate and gaining confidence into my latest lately updated prototype.
So far I managed to sail upwind at around 60deg off the true wind at ~10knts boatspeed for a vmg of ~ 5knts (in sligthly less than 10knts of wind). I have had very limited time for testing this prototype, however, as the monsoon set in soon after it's completion(too strong currents and high surf for even entering the water), so could probably do better.
Nice quiet way to get into the USA😅😅😅
Could it be used / adapted for people who don't have the use of their legs?
love it, and it works!!!
Sounds great and I would love to come to Australia, more so as now during monsoons no further testing is possible here. Haven't got the budget to do so unfortunately, overspend on patent procedure! Cheers anyway
your vid is so cracy !!! Respekt !
COOOOOOOL!
THAT looks like a great potential for scaling up "sailboat size". catching more wind higher up without heeling over could be FAST.
I actually originally invented the rigging system with yachts and bigger sailboats in mind, but that would require automatically launch- and retractable huge kites.
There was a company called Skysails developing those for cargo ships and planning to scale them down for yachts as well. Unfortunately, Skysails seems to be almost bankrupt, so the required kites won't probably be available any time soon.
Skysail is bankrupted? That's so sad. I really found their technology to be really cool.....alas
great idea but easier to learn to kitesurf in low winds
nicht schlecht =))
Interesting craft, would have to watch those foils in shallow water though:) so how much would such a craft cost?
Looks like a good invention. Keep up the good work. Just a thing that bothers me, how about breaking waves?
Wonderful Demontration ...thx4sharing ......maybe walk away from ur work long enough ....until it comes to you ...what is needed . Smile
I'm sure, that even my prototype could accomodate a second person and if the monsoon hadn't onset shortly after completing the prototype I almost certainly would have given my son a ride already.
Bad Ass. I have been thinking of something like this for years.. great idea for the front stabilizer.. I am leaning towards a hydroplane board
just 1 question can you relaunch if kite drops in the drink ,and allso their dont seem to be much blow around ,i would say things may get some what more interesting if the wind piked up ,.Love it
+Craig Penton to relaunch after dropping the kite I usually disconnect first from the board and reconnect, once the kite is up again. My latest version (not yet filmed and uploaded) is as efficient as a race board and thus needs very little wind to get very fast and soon is overpowered, if wind picks up, so light wind is definitely preferable.
I love it to bits. Are you an engineer? Have you considered doing some crowd funding? I agree with the chap who said 'eco friendly Jet ski' (very cool just now) I want one myself. I wish you lots of luck and would happy to discuss future development plans. I am also inventor product developer type and this looks like fun. Best of luck Phil
I have installed a predetermined breaking point, so in case of grounding in shallow water the foils and board should remain undamaged, just a nutbolt would shear off (which has happened already a couple of times in the surf).
I am clueless about the price so far, but my guess is (by comparison with kite raceboards or surfboards) that it would be somewhere between 3000$ and 4000$.
Amazing! What about the upwind angle?
Great concept! We're wondering if partially centering the kite lift would help keep the bow down, although a small aft foil may be required.
+Maxi Marine
I have tried differently sized aft foils, without any of those the thing just isn't stable at higher speeds. Indeed, the larger the aft foil, the more centered is the kite force and less lift is on the bow. At my present prototype (not yet published on youtube), the sweet spot for the size of the aft foil seems to be at ~1/3 of the (average immersed) size of the front foil.
+Ingo Voegler
That's good to hear. It took us several years and more then forty sailing tests to balance our rig and foil design as it evolved. We will be looking forward to seeing your latest prototype!
Trop classe
Kickstart it
I am wondering why you elected not to go with a foot controlled rear rudder instead of the rather cumbersome keel / rudder device at the front which also appears to provide a lot of bow lift. I do like the redesigned sled and it appears ideal for kite propulsion.
Very nice!!! I'm only concerned about that carbon blade in front of your face when you go upwind.
In my latest prototype I am using a belt which would keep me away from the blade, and trigger me and the kite to be separated from the board, in case of a nosedive/capsize. Nevertheless the sharp trailing edge of the blades would definitely have to be made from rubber or the like, in order to prevent disaster if being hit, in a production version.
Ingo Voegler
Thanks and good luck with your work! It is a very interesting invention, expecially the turning mechanism. Maybe you could improve the hook with some ABS or Theflon for preventing the usury of the kite lines.
Flysurfer rules ;)
I have a speed 3 19 and a speed 4 8
As I can slide the seat forwards or backwards I am able to distribute the weight as wanted between planing stern and kite-lifted bow. Probably the whole thing could be build smaller, I just wanted to be on the safe side, stability-wise for a start. There is hardly any rocker in the last third of the board.
excelente!!!!!
Really cool design. Could it pull a regular sit on top kayak? Ha
I had previously attached same rigging system to a kayak, watch ua-cam.com/video/kjUEq6yhX-s/v-deo.html
awesome
Very awesome! How long from when you first thought it up until you had the finished or first prototype!?
Cool project, do you have any new vids anywhere with newer prototypes? Or some performance numbers somewhere? Looks like a lot of fun, and you're designing for a sailing weather (low wind) regime that has not been much addressed.
have started editing of new prototype video, will upload soon, sometimes in August probably. New prototype is much faster, lighter, better looking (that was admittedly easy) . . . Have also first time exceeded 20knts with it and can probably still do a little better, now it's monsoon in Goa and had to stop testing.
Thanks for replying. I would also be interested in seeing some heavier wind testing as well, if possible, to see how the performance curve extends up in faster winds, and if they can be handled with your rig on that kite. 20 knts + is cooking along pretty good, especially in slow wind! Top of the hulled Hobie territory in stiff winds. Looking fwd to the new post!
Where I live 20+ knts are extremely rare, actually only happening sometimes in gusts during the monsoons, when surf and currents not allowing for any water sports. However you easily could adjust the kite size to stronger wind and would be fine, but the likely chop will be a complete downer and the hobie with its thin slicing hulls far superior. The thing is definitely best in light winds and flat water and a course race between my new prototype and a hobie could be tight and exciting.
Great ingenuity. Would like to know what the front foils are made of. Must be strong so I guess carbon fiber?
they are indeed moulded from carbon fiber, they are hydrofoils H105 profile and I got them from Australian moth inventor/manufacturer John Illett/Fastacraft
I have thought about it, but doubting that it would improve performance a lot, and it would require balancing or two T-foils
I think you should put the seat further up with a backrest
did you tried to do kite kayak without this thing in front of your kayak?
Looks like the kite lines go through a metal hoop, won't they wear and eventually snap?Is the boat being lifted by the kite or does it raise out of the water on the foil?
+marcus edwards
some marginal wear on the kite lines is there (with stainless steel hoop), after about 50hrs of use the lines even snapped (happened twice so far and now I replace them earlier). Dyneema lines can be easily spliced so its fast and easily possible to replace only the worn out section.
Boat is lifted by the combination of upwards slanting kite pull and vertical resisting foil.
21 m² is gigantic. Propably only suited for low winds, but there you have no fun anyways. Id say maximum 12m² if you face adequate windspeeds
Very interresting concept, but still I think, should be enhanced so it would be less complicated to launch and land...
Have you approached the Hobie company about producing your Kite Scooter? They'd be a natural for producing and marketing this. There is also a European company, KiteTender that makes a two man kite boat, but I really think your prototype blows the need for crew and lots of extra things out of the water. All that said, I'd like to buy one, or even help back the commercial development, but taking a path like getting royalties from Hobie might be successful path for you.
what has happened to your idea?
You should wear a PFD (life jacket).
Cool
If it was a pod...... shaped like an egg to keep you dry, with two circular hydrofoils front and rear, to reduce drag, similar to a tandem wing aircraft but circular so it can rotate if necessary the egg could be mounted on springs so that you have suspension, then you could cross the ocean from one continent to another even in freezing cold water. Even if you run into a hurricane if the egg is made of carbon fiber and double skinned like a surfboard, you will be safe.
+EVZebra
The pod and circular hydrofoils are a interesting solution. Worth prototyping. Usually, what seems easy to apply is hard and what is hard to apply is easier than imagined.
Vinnie Ice Gallagher
Thanks, the self righting egg toy, just now weighted so it always lies on one side, when you hit bad weather you just strap yourself into a lazyboy type chair and wait - lol - but you wont be drowning like the the people in the other boats.
*Cue Pirates of the Caribbean*
Why not use a symmetrical foil and use the kite lines to change the angle of attack from one tack to the other like on a wind vane steering system. Then you only need 1 foil and it's never sticking up waiting to stab you in the face! Of course you will need to license the idea from me :-)
The speed 3 15m pulls more than the 24m Phantom. If we look at projected area the speed is MUCH bigger. Just so you 'no' (sic)
Kind of looks like a giant red Wang
me and my friends travel from oropos to lefkanti (greece) with a boat and a kite.
distance: 25 km wind: 20-25 knots
so funny!!!!!
What function do the fins serve? Is it a type of hydrofoil?
already started work on another prototype, which will look different!
Hi Ingo
do you envisage or test an amphidromic solution ?
What's the purpose of the upright portion of the rudder on the rig?
+John Reid
the heel free rigging system consists of two asymmetric hydrofoils to provide the lateral resistance needed for upwind sailing in a very effective way, one for each tack. The at a time unused one is, by design of the rig, upright and above the water line.
Ingo Voegler Thanks for taking the time to reply. I'm thinking about setting up a similar rig on motor boat to make it auxiliary sail. Also, it'd be a good way to rig a larger sailboat so that it wouldn't have to worry about its air draft as it goes under bridges.
+John Reid
I had actually thought up the rig for bigger boats, still thinking that in combination with an automatically launchable and retrievable kite (unfortunately not available yet) it would be the perfect system to harvest wind power for boats and yachts, no keel and no mast needed and thus could turn any motorboat into a highly effective sailboat (without compromising on the hull shape or extending water or air draft). My first prototype was even a motorboat, see ua-cam.com/video/yVwZRZYkzzE/v-deo.html , actually worked very well, only the slightly effortful kite launch and retrieval procedure made me think, that an as small as possible and thus beach launchable version would be commercially more interesting.
If you are interested to use this rigging system on a motor boat you are welcome and I could also assist you in setting it up.
Ingo Voegler I see this system as being valid for use on both regular sailboats and as as an auxiliary means to bring a disabled motor boat back, with favorable winds, of course.
grate video'very clever
anyone have the name of the music please
+ASM video
Topher Mohr and Alex Elena - Where I am From (copyright free music from youtube audio archive)
thanks a lot
Fun but not practical. How are your arms holding that kite one handed?
have you tried it with an uncircumcised model:)
+karllieb
I have long since shifted to a (uncircumcised) female version ;) , not primarily because of the lewd comments, but because it gives a lower sitting position and thus more stability. Video coming up soon.
nightmare of engineer. don't play with heavy drugs, bro
What's that guy doing riding a hot dog through the sea?
Taylor Filkins Trying to catch up with that butter knife?
Taylor Filkins bahahaha!!
Looking for mustard I guess
The hydro foil is at the wrong end.
funny... the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile comes to mind
Das Gerät ist noch entwicklungsfähig.
kite how many meters?
Its an eco friendly Jet Ski isn't it :)
How is your back?
Riding the kite-scooter felt only safe to a speed of about 13knts, mostly due to the raised sitting position, and in that kind of speed there wasn't any problem for the back. I have started testing another, faster and ligther prototype, thus far at up to 18knts (video coming up soon), so far the ride felt quite comfortable as well, haven't experienced too choppy waters though.
it looks amazingly stupid and a lot of work ....omg am I a pessimist?? maybe that's why people don't want to hang with me. lol
Hello , i am a video developer for online channel , we like to run your video. do you own the footage
clever aber der Sitz ist unbequem und das ständige abheben der Scooterspitze ist auch verbesserungsbedürftig
now add hydrofoil
явно не хватает поводных крыльев