'Kite' Powered Upwind!?

[Stevve]

Hi All,

Why am I not seeing exclusively kite powered 'sailboat'? My guess is that (para)foils don't have enough upwind efficiency (lift:drag). Any other comments on kite power are also welcome.

Thank you.

[SeaSpark]

The lift/drag ratio of a modern kite is good enough to sail upwind.
Think the launch/recovery part of kite's for use on yachts needs more development before beeing widely accepted.

Video of the Windjet build for breaking the sailing speed record on land, ice and water.
http://www.windjet.co.uk/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=84

Existing threads on kite's:

kite for powerboat?
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=11886

New propulsion sytems for ships, some info on kites here, use seach function
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=9630

Kite Foiler!?
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=9227

Kites
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7916

ISAF vs KITE Sailing
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=6641

Kite Buggy/Boat
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=5228