LIBERTYKITE LIBERTYKITE User manual
USER GUIDE
LibertyKite®User guide
Table des matières
Acknowledgements 2
Preliminary notes 3
Presetting the LibertyKite® : 5
LibertyKite® shipping phases 7
Stabilisation of LibertyKite 11
Adjusting the direction of the ship 13
LibertyKite® downwind (or wide beam) configuration 14
Navigation 15
Recuperation du LibertyKite® 16
Emergency manœuvre 18
Warranty 19
Disclaimer of Liability 20
Assumption of Risk 20
Disclaimer of liability and waiver of claims 20
Security 21
Disclaimer 21
Important safety rules 21
Weather conditions 22
Choice of area of use 23
Risks associated with lines 23
Maintenance 24
Terms and conditions of sale 24
LibertyKite®User guide
Acknowledgements
Thank you for purchasing a LibertyKite®. Our mission is to build and develop easy-to-use rescue kites for
all levels of kite flyers. Easy to use, these wings will give you a new pleasure of navigation, whatever your
level of practice. These wings can also be used as an emergency means of propulsion in case of
dismasting or engine failure.
At OCEA, we are passionate about sailing and kitesurfing. It is this passion that drives our design team to
create products that we love to use.
We take pride in the quality of our products. We are constantly searching for the best materials
available. All our products are manufactured in our workshop in the Arcachon basin, which guarantees
superior quality control. This quality of construction will ensure a long life for OCEA products while
keeping their original qualities.
LibertyKite®User guide
Preliminary notes
LibertyKite® is made up of several important elements to keep in mind. All of these elements are shown
in the following figure.
LibertyKite® description
Before launching the LibertyKite®, it is important to visualize the configuration of the boat in relation to
the wind. Indeed, the direction of the wind in relation to the LibertyKite® does not change according to
the desired direction of advance, the LibertyKite® will therefore be attached differently in relation to the
boat in order to keep it well oriented in relation to the wind. Depending on the chosen tack (port or
starboard), we will invert the attachment lines of the LibertyKite®. This is illustrated in the following wind
rose.
In the wind rose, the boat's drift has not been considered. This depends on the anti-drift plan of the
boat. For a boat without an anti-drift plan, it will be more difficult to go upwind.
The LibertyKite® has been designed for use between 10 and 20 knots.
LibertyKite®User guide
LibertyKite®User guide
LibertyKite® settings:
•Put the boat in neutral and abeam to windward, making sure that there is enough water to run
downwind (i.e. the possible shoreline the vessel would be heading towards is far enough away so
as not to pose a danger of being driven ashore). In general, ensure that there is sufficient
leeward clearance and that no obstructions can pose a danger.
•Be careful not to let the lines go overboard even though they are floating, they present a
possible risk of getting caught in the propeller or rudder. Very often the propeller turns to
neutral with the boat's centreboard.
•Leave the LibertyKite® in the bag and take out the lines
•Take the forward line (blue line if on starboard tack (wind is from the right) or red line if on port
tack (wind is from the left)) on a cleat at most, leaving the forward end of the LibertyKite just
above the foredeck. To attach the LibertyKite® to the boat, it is possible to use the mooring
cleats to secure it. Other points can be used if required but it is important to ensure that these
attachment points are strong. To attach the LibertyKite® to the boat, tie a cleat knot with the line
as shown in the diagram. It is advisable to multiply the eight knots around the cleat before
tightening the line, to facilitate the future release.
Half key for attaching the line to the boat with a cleat knot
-Take up the back line on a back cleat (if possible higher than the front cleat) of a length between
zero length (flush with the splice) and a length equal to the distance back cleat - front cleat. A
short back line makes shipping easier but the LibertyKite has more wind grip during the
preparation period.
-Remarks
●Attaching the lines to the cleats on the windward side minimizes the risk of LibertyKite®
falling over in the water.
●The leading edge must be on the windward side (the side from which the wind is
coming)
Before launching the LibertyKite®, connect the lines to the LibertyKite® using a lark's head knot such as
shown in the pictures.
LibertyKite®User guide
Line attachment to LibertyKite® with a lark's head knot
LibertyKite®User guide
LibertyKite® shipping phases
Before any handling of the kite, please refer to the safety rules (wearing gloves, shoes etc...), as indicated
in this manual on pages 19 and 20, which must be observed especially during the phases of flight and
recovery of the kite. In particular, be very careful of any ropes that could fall into the water and get
caught in the motor propeller. It is therefore advisable to stop the propeller during the launch and
recovery phases.
Once the lines are set, the LibertyKite® sending can be divided into 4 main phases:
1. Inflation of LibertyKite®: Locate the air inlets and present them perpendicular to the wind to
already bring in part of the air volume. Hold the LibertyKite® by the reinforcement line on the
leading edge. Check that the exit is closed by the zipper.
2. To put the LibertyKite® in flying position in order to move it up: hold the LibertyKite® by the
leading edge and pull the trailing (rear) edge at the ears. Flying the shortest part of the leading
edge between one hand and the nearest clew. The other crew member flying the other part.
LibertyKite®User guide
3. Drop the LibertyKite® by gradually releasing the fabric at ear level. Make sure that the lines are
free of any movement and in particular that they are not wrapped around a limb or stuck in the
clothing of a person sailing on the boat.
LibertyKite®User guide
4. Gradually slacken the lines, leaving more length to the line attached to the rear of the boat so
that the LibertyKite® pulls well forward. To slacken the lines, undo the half key of the cleat and
let it goes. Once the operation is completed, redo the half key to lock the cleat knot. This allows
the LibertyKite® to tilt and pull further forward.
Launch configuration (traction,
perpendicular to the LibertyKite®, is
vertical)
Navigation configuration (traction,
perpendicular to LibertyKite®, is tilted
forward)
LibertyKite®User guide
Stabilisation of LibertyKite
For LibertyKite® to be stable it is important that the two lines are substantially parallel (see diagrams
following). Otherwise, it may start moving and may end up falling into the water.
Very parallel lines
Lines too closed (In this case, the LibertyKite will oscillate with greater amplitudes, attach the red line
further back.)
Line too open (In this case the profile of the LibertyKite's extrados is deformed and performance is
reduced, lengthen the red back line or attach it further forward on the boat, or move back the forward
LibertyKite®User guide
line attachment.)
Depending on the yaw balance of the boat (natural tendency to go to port or starboard), moving the line
attachment backwards and downwind will make the boat want to go upwind (luff), moving the line
attachment forwards or attaching it more upwind will make the boat go downwind (luff). You will then
have to look for the right position to have a balanced boat (requiring the least possible correction at the
helm or engine angle for a given direction of advance).
Adjusting the direction of the ship
Depending on the wind direction in relation to the boat, we will choose two attachment points on the
boat: one at the bow and one at the stern offset laterally. The choice of attachment points depends on
the wind direction. The axis of the attachment points that connects the two attachment points on the
boat must be offset about ten degrees from the perpendicular to the wind as seen by the boat. The
rotation of the axis of the attachment points shall be in the direction of the wind as shown in the
diagram seen from above.
Attaches du LibertyKite® sur un bateau
For the same configuration (same angle between the centerline of the lines and the boat's centerline),
LibertyKite®User guide
the longer the lines, the more latitude the boat can have on its course. However, an increase in the
length of the lines results in a decrease in the line correction, and therefore a risk of instability of the
LibertyKite. This will be all the more important if the stern cleat is at the same height or lower than the
front cleat. With long lines the LibertyKite® will also fly in stronger wind but will be harder to bring back
(line length) when landing or if it falls into the water. It will also be less sensitive to the movements of
the boat. In light wind it is interesting to have the forward line attachment slightly more upwind
(increase the angle between the perpendicular to the wind and the line attachment axis) to help the kite
have an upward yaw angle.
LibertyKite® downwind (or wide beam) configuration
When the wind comes from eastern, it is possible to use the LibertyKite® to tow the boat. In this case,
the two lines must be attached on each side, perpendicular to the axis of the boat, leading edge to the
stern.
It is possible to go wide by slightly shortening the line on the cleat on the side where you want to go. If the pulling
force is too great to shorten the line, it is possible to release the line on the opposite side, while respecting the
safety instructions in this guide.
LibertyKite® downwind
LibertyKite®User guide
Navigation
Once the LibertyKite® has been launched, care must be taken to keep the angle between the axis of the
boat and the axis of the lines, otherwise the LibertyKite® may fall into the water. The most frequent case
is when the boat is too low (too close to the downwind). In this case, the LibertyKite® tends to descend
in a parachuting configuration. It is then necessary to loft (get closer to the axis of the wind) to make the
LibertyKite® go up. The bigger the LibertyKite® is, the more latitude you must steer.
Configuration too low: the LibertyKite® starts to parachute and descends.
LibertyKite®User guide
Recovery of LibertyKite®
Whichever method is chosen, the propeller should be stopped, if necessary, to prevent interference
between the propellers and the lines.
Method 1: To retrieve, simply let go of one of the lines (the stern line for example), then retrieve the
LibertyKite® from the line still attached to the boat.
Open the velcros to let the air out of the leading edge and fold the LibertyKite®.
Method 2: Another method is to prevent the LibertyKite® from falling into the water when the wind is
light:
1. Orient the boat to the open water in order to position the LibertyKite® as far as possible above
the boat. Take the LibertyKite® from the stern line to pass vertically over the LibertyKite®.
2. Recover some front line and then some fabric from the front ear and then smother the
LibertyKite®. This manoeuvre must be carried out quickly enough so that the wind does not re-
enter the LibertyKite®.
LibertyKite®User guide
3. Open the velcros to let the air out of the leading edge and fold the LibertyKite®.
User guide
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Emergency manoeuvre
In case of emergency, the release of one of the LibertyKite®lines causes an immediate drop in traction. In
case of a problem, one of the two lines must therefore be released. The choice of one or the other line
depends on the proximity of the lines and the environment (boats around, buoys, coast, dyke ...). Indeed,
releasing the back line will make the LibertyKite®fall closer to the boat, or even on the boat depending
on the configuration.
To release the lines, if you have enough time, simply undo the cleat knot of the line you wish to release.
If there is not enough time or if the line has become stuck in the cleat, then the line should be cut with a
sailor's knife, line cutter or sharp object. It is therefore essential to always have a means of releasing the
LibertyKite®at hand in case of a problem.
As soon as a line is released, it must be retrieved from the line still attached to the boat as in the classic
retrieval procedure. This immediate retrieval is intended in particular to prevent the risk of a line getting
stuck in the engine propellers. It should be noted here that this risk, although real, is greatly minimised
by the intrinsic buoyancy characteristics of the lines.
A bit like a sailboat sail that needs to be trimmed, shocked or twisted It is sometimes necessary to adjust the incidence
and symmetry of the LibertyKite in order to achieve optimum performance. But for LibertyKite once trimmed it normally
no longer needs to be adjusted.
This adjustment point is in the middle of the trailing edge of the LibertyKite. The stopper knot must be moved behind the
stop ball so that the tuning line can be tightened or loosened. Be careful to hold the middle marker in place so that it is
the same length on the right and left. Otherwise Libertykite will not fly symmetrically.
The normal range of this adjustment is a few centimetres. Ideally this initial adjustment can be done on land in a force 4
wind.
In normal flight conditions a very slight crease should appear just behind the leading edge from time to time. Blue profile
of the sectional view.
If the incidence of a large fold behind the leading-edge box is too low, the upper surface can become very bent. Green
profile of the sectional view. Take-off is easy but traction and stability are rather low. The pitch control line needs to be
tightened.
If there are no folds on the upper surface and LibertyKite tends to want to fly in reverse (stall) which is not normal if there
is enough wind. Red profile of the cross-section view. The tension on the trim line must be released.
If LibertyKite has so much difficulty to take off and falls backwards when there is enough wind (stall) the trim line is
probably too tight.
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Relaxed line of incidence: large fold behind the leading edge
Too tense: risk of dropping out
Well set up: very light rain behind the leading edge
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Liability release
The assembly and/or use of this product implies that you have read and understood the entire
instruction manual for this product, paying particular attention to the instructions and warnings, before
using this product. Similarly, if a third party uses your product, it is your responsibility to ensure that this
person has read and understood all instructions and warnings in the user manual for this product before
using it.
Assumption of Risk
The use of this product and all its components involves certain risks and hazards that may result in
serious injury to the user and to third parties (non-users). The use of this product means that you
understand and accept all risks of injury, known and unknown, to you or to third parties, related to the
use of this product. The risks inherent in the use of LibertyKite®can be reduced by following the
instructions in the user manual and using good judgment.
Disclaimer of liability and waiver of claims
The purchase of this product implies that you accept, within the limits of the law:
●RENOUNCE ALL CLAIMS OF ANY KIND whatsoever that you have or will have in the future against
OCEA and all parties related to the use of this product and its components.
●TO RELEASE OCEA, and all related parties, from any liability for any loss, injury, damage, injury or
expense that you, or third parties using your equipment, may suffer for any reason whatsoever,
including as a result of negligence.
Security
This User's Guide has been designed to be applicable to the widest possible range of vessels.
Depending on your experience in marine navigation, and kite piloting, it may be advisable to
request a "hands-on" training course on a ship's traction kite. Such individualized and specific
training on the installation and use of the Liberty Kite on your vessel is offered by the company
Océa. If you would like to benefit from them, please contact us at the following email address:
libertykite@beyond-the-sea.fr.
The use of LibertyKite requires in any case to respect all the following safety rules:
Disclaimer
●Flying the LibertyKite® can be dangerous.
●Use extreme caution when using this product.
●Improper use of this equipment can cause serious injury.
●Be in good health when using this product.
●Do not use this product improperly. For example, do not
oJump
oAnchoring to the ground
oAnchor directly to the LibertyKite® via a harness or any other means of attachment.
oUse the LibertyKite® for kitesurfing or any other practice using a kite of
otraction other than the traction of a boat.
oUse the LibertyKite® as a means of support such as paragliding, parachuting or any other
gliding activity.
●You are responsible for your own safety and that of others around you when using this product.
●If you are a minor, your parents or guardian must have read these warnings and instructions. Do
not use this product without proper supervision.
●Do not use this product under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any other substance that could
alter your physical condition.
●All seafarers (handling LibertyKite® or not) must wear a life jacket, shoes and gloves.
Important safety rules
●Do not use this product without first examining the equipment.
●Do not use this product without a release system (Line cutters or other means of releasing one of
the lines). An uncontrolled LibertyKite® can be very dangerous for people downwind.
●Test the release system in less risky situations before using it in the water.
Weather conditions
●It is recommended to acquire a wind velocity indicator. Study the wind guide to understand the
●wind speeds.
●Never use this product in strong winds (over 25 knots).
●Never use this product in stormy weather.
●Never use this product in conditions where you cannot stand upright.
●Never use this product in conditions that are beyond your skill level (strong winds).
●Do not underestimate the strength of the wind.
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