I would be interested to know a few comparisons of how much sail a kiter has in comparison to say an 18 foot skiff, or a volvo 70.
In terms of percentages - e.g. A 12sqm kite isn't the same as a 12sqm sail on a skiff - only a portion of the kite actually generates pull while other parts of it keep it in the air/allow it to turn/etc.
What am I wondering is for example:
If a kiter has a 12sqm sail, 6sqm of this generate power, and the board is 132cmx41cm
This would be a ratio of 6/0.5412 = 11.09
so the sail's pulling area is 11.09 times the area of the board
What would this ratio be for a volvo 70 roughly?
Im not an aeronautical engineer so obviously if this would be completely meaningless then i'd love to know what you should be comparing.
just an assumption from another non engineer, but surely you would be needing to compare lift to drag ratios. Our board operate very differently from that of a boats hull.
the figure you propose would be an interesting one but I think it would only be telling a tiny part of the equation due to all the variables.
back in the day when I windsurfed I saw an interesting comparison between the average PWA formula sailors equipment to that of an americas cup yacht. upwind speed, down wind speed, weight, set up time etc etc, the windsurfer was winning by a small margin on all aspects, then it got to the cost/fun ratio and it was windsurfer wins hands down :)
I would propose a similar comparison
wouldn't weight to sail sq m be more appropriate? I.e. weight of a kiteboarder all up 80kg, 12 sqm sail. weight of a laser sailing dingy 100kg's? plus sailor 80 kg's, 7sq m sail
Don't forget the Kite Altitude Factor to allow for the effect of wind shear on your ratios...
