Buggying

Been thinking about design concepts for speed buggies and got to wondering has anyone tried flying a kite from a land yacht?

The larger wheelbase would add substantial stability allowing use of a larger kite, the front wheel rake angle should be much more stable at high speeds, larger wheels and aerodynamics should all add up to better speed.

Kite lines could be routed through sheave blocks flexibly mounted at the mast seat this would keep the CG in the correct position, lines could then run into the cockpit to normal flying handles. Might take some practice to get your head around flying on handle when the lines are redirected. I haven't figured out an emergency release yet but I'd love to play with the concept.

Has anyone tried this before?
Has anyone got one of these puppies I can borrow and modify?

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One question. How do you steer a land yacht? From the picture it dont look like its done with your feet

Edit: ok just had a closer look at the pic. Is it that rod running alone side the down tube? I'm trying to look at this on my phone

Never mind the steering .... I want the wheels mmmm

Do you have any details on where one would get their hands on a set of those dj ?

I also think re-directing lines is a waste of time ... They carry so much tension and have release implications as you say. The pilot/seat location needs to be balanced as you also say, which will probably be the biggest issue trying to power up with a kite.

Land yachts are designed for a completely different loading pattern that that experienced by a kite buggy.

Typically the loading of a land yacht is directly horizontal which induces a tipping moment into the yacht causing the loading on the front and leeward wheels to increase whilst unloading the windward wheel.

Whereas with a kite buggy the loading tends to be a lifting action causing all 3 wheels to unload, this puts a lot less load on the buggy's structure, but also means there is a significant loss of traction at the wheels and a lot more sideways motion.

Counteracting this on a buggy is typically done with heavier buggy, fatter wheels at a lower pressure, which helps maintain a larger tyre contact patch as the buggy unloads, the downside is increased rolling resistance, but you get increased ability to maintain an upwind line.

Do you have any details on where one would get their hands on a set of those dj ?

Try Here ... http://www.airtrack-fr.com/english/home.html
On the spare parts page.

& yes the steering is by foot via the push pull rod.

Land Yachts from what I have seen are steered by the feet, for some reason the guys that build blokarts decided to have your hands doing the steering as well as holding on to the sheeting rope. Could never understand why they did it that way seems a bit odd steering with your feet seems like a better idea.

There have been a few designs for kite buggies built for speed floating around for a few years I have even seen a design that had a similar front end to that photo you posted DJ.