These boats were never designed for them but many people have fitted
kites to them even just for fun outside class racing.

Are the boats structually sound enough to take the kite?
What are the potential problems to look out for?
Have any sailors had any bad experiences with them?

AHPC make a kite kit for the T4.9 as an option so they must have confidence in the rest of the platform to be able to handle the loads a kite would put the rest of the boat under.

Other people have converted the T4.9 to F16 configuration - so it can be done.

I have heard of a mast breaking with the kite, but I'm not sure under what conditions the mast broke (heavy or light breeze?)

Blades use same mast section as the Taipans and so far no problems.

PS When sailing with a kite it's a good idea not to look up.

[This message has been edited by dannyj (edited 04 August 2008).]

http://www.taipan.asn.au/Buy_it_now/buy_it_frame.htm

quote:

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Taipan 4.9 Sloop
Kevlar/glass hulls, Pentax mainsail and Jib, also mylar mainsail and jib. Carbon foils and rudders, proctor adjustable spreaders. Two spare front beam blanks plus one spare boom blank.
Registered Mackay, NO TIE, galvanised trailer with sail box and beach rollers.
Excellent condition always garaged and maintained to a high standard.
Fast and ready to race for competitive club and national level racing.
*
Taipan 4.9 Sloop
Kevlar/Glass hulls. Good, strong, VERY competitive boat. Fully overhauled and rebuilt. New front beam with single pull barber hauler. Brand new boom. Excellent condition Ashby smoked pentex sails (brand new Jib). All new Cleats and ropes. Brand new trap wires. Has spinnaker and bag but no pole. Registered trailer with sail box.
*
Taipan 4.9 Sloop,
Single Kevlar hulls, which are no longer manufactured, and are almost indestructible. 2 mains, 3 jibs, new front beam. Galvanised road trailer. Spinnaker kit add $1500

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You can obviously see why I am asking the question.

What sort of wear and tear are you talking about?