Never done it but have often wondered about it off a yacht ( nothing quite like being on an 11m yacht in 15 to 20 knots wishing you were kiting!!) - seems that a bit of gear that looks like some kind of weird dildo called a Turbolauncher (Google /youtube it) could be handy to set up line properly before jumping over the side. Pumping up the kite on board in kiting wind could be problematic !!
I'm most concerned about the landing of the kite- seems that a 'self rescue' approach would be the best way of not shredding the kite in Yacht rigging etc - but either way you still need to be able to get back onboard with an inflated kite .

I assume you are looking to launch of a moored boat ? A moving boat adds another dimension!!

set it up.

pack it up.

pump it up.

get someone to hold the kite

point the boat into the wind

swim out with your bar and lines

untwist your lines

launch kite

kite away

dont bother with any gizmos if anything throw your lines into a bucket

sorry but you got it all back to front picker. let the kite drift out into the water while you sit on the transom. Theres no finding the extra person and swimming.
By the way rayoli you might want to check Lauries post after reading your last.

Pump up your kite, unroll your lines into the water and make sure the are not tangled or crossed over. (Probably easier with a 4 line kite where the centre lines aren't so important) connect up the lines to the kite. Put the kite in the water leading edge down. Sink the leading edge so that water fills the top of the canopy (like you do with sand on the beach)
This will keep the kite on the water as it drifts away.


Secure the chicken loop
Let go of the kite and it will drift downwind.
The kite will slowly rotate as it drifts downwind, and wind will catch the trailing edge of the canopy and fill out.
The kite will roll over onto its leading edge downwind of you as the slack comes out of the lines.
Just like if you dropped your kite during a session.

The rest is just like doing a water launch.

If you make up a gig to tie on your rails liked a set of 4 rings to feed your lines through first you will be able to get the tangles out or make sure here are no tangles

rayoli said...
like the way yu put that pete, kiss and practical.+ picker 2
any other 2bobs worth welcome.
old steel tug, post some happy snaps on your con way,we'll keep a lookout.
first "white out test" tday after a couple of good20+ with showers sessions, then get 'one' more in time ...wind didn't pick up much it just pissed down into 'low vis'.
will be 'one' remembered day. whiteout
looks like wet seasons here now and tropical lows may be something to smile about.

lol?