Nalani is a cold-molded cedar catamaran that has both an integrated outboard motor and the ability to fly a kite, which, along with its size, makes it a good kite-launching test platform. Originally, we used Nalani with our inflatable mast, shown here with the orange and white kite. This predecessor to the carbon A-frame was intended to aid kite launching and then to be deflated quickly and stowed. Because of Nalani’s ample hull space, motor, and height above the water, we have also used it as testing chase boat. In 2010 we resurrected Nalani to practice kite launching using a 5th line flipping technique and the K1 control system.

In 1997, soon after he became involved in kitesurfing, Don attached a kite to a boat for the first time. It was a Hawaiian surfing canoe. From 1997 to 2006, he worked with a team in Hawaii to develop kites for use with surfing canoes, small catamarans, and large sailing cats, and the team used those boats for wave-riding and to complete several island crossings. In 2006, the project moved to Alameda, where we began experimenting with hydrofoil test platforms and eventually transitioned to building our own platforms from scratch.