Then Paul Webster turned up with his experimental kite powered cat. This is a project that Paul has been sweating for over 2 years, with a lot of hard work (and a fair amount of money) in it. I can't give away any design details, but I can describe the maiden voyage in two words - Ye Ha !!!

The kite-cat was dropped of the trailer on the sand at the water's edge, and the giant kite was stretched out in the sand with the help of all the curious spectators (which by this time inluded Tommy, his son Chris, Todd Gardener and John Warner). As soon as the kite was inflated we shot of the beach into the water like a drag racer! I got to steer whilst Paul controlled the kite. We made it out close to the range marker in less than 3 minutes! Every time we headed up and the kite hit the power zone it was like turning on the nitrous. Paul adjusted the kite and called orders to head up or down wind.

We then attempted the first jibe. This kinda went ok, but I didn't turn quick enough and the kite got very low to the water. When I headed up and the kite hit the power zone it buried the hulls and flung both of us into the water. As I was leaving the boat I grabbed the sea anchor - just as well cause with the kite not yet fully deflated the boat began to take off without us. We clambered aboard the turtled craft and began whooping and exchanging high-fives. The whole voyage was recorded on video by Paul's friend.

At this point I should point out that the chase boat hadn't shown up because the skipper was indisposed, so we were now reliant on my Hobie 18 SX for rescue and recovery - crewed by Todd G, Tommy and John Warner. They recovering the two of us and the kite. We left the kite-boat to drift while we off loaded folk back on the beach. Todd, Tommy and I then headed back out to right the stricken craft and tow it back. Well we never got it righted, and we found out the hard way that Hobie 18's make crap tow boats - it took around 3 hours to crab in against the wind to Curl's. Absolute top work by all involved in the recovery - especially Tommy who got a few knock's and bruises in the process.