I have found that line-pull of about 3 times the rig weight is enough to safely lift the rig. So I need 7lb pull to lift my 1.1kg SLR rig. (Apologies for the mixed units, must start measuring pull in kg!)
Here is a clever interactive lift/pull calculator from Kaper e-zine. Plug in rig weights and see line pull and angles.
Of course line angle also matters. Deltas can fly almost directly overhead. At times the delta and rig can be in perfect balance leaving next to no tension on the line in your hand and zero movement of the rig. Perfect for sharp KAP shots. It's a magical moment, hard to believe it's possible.
My intention is to build up data for each kite in a range of wind strengths.
It's early days but it seems with the 7ft Rokkaku line-pull in pounds is pretty close to wind strength in knots. For example I would expect line-pull of 7lb in a 7kn breeze.
Here are two video compilations of kites compared in Bft 4 and Bft 2.
I'll do Bft 3 and Bft 5 when the conditions permit. I have tried Bft 1-2 but the Rok was the only kite capable of staying up.
Three kites compared in Bft 2
Four kites compared in Bft 4
Eventually I'll put together videos and publish a line-pull table for each kite separately in the full range of wind strengths.
Beaufort Wind Scale
Bft 1 1-2kn Calm - Not enough to fly. Go diving
Bft 2 3-6kn Light breeze - Rok will fly, others maybe.
Bft 3 7-10kn Nice breeze - All kites will fly. Need to match kite to rig.
Bft 4 11-15kn Decent breeze - All kites will lift rigs easily. Upper range for the Rok.
Bft 5 16-20kn Strong wind - Too much for the Rok and Levi
Bft 6 21-26kn Howling - Only the PFK will survive.
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