"Eric Greenwell" wrote in message
...
Larry Pardue wrote:

I keep a reel in the back of my Ford Escape that has the 1500 foot
launch
rope on it. After a launch the rope is reeled in by an electric motor
on
the reel. Very tidy and easy. I average around 1,200 feet on the very
long
ramp at Hobbs with a PW-5. Rarely do I have to take a relight but when
I do
I feel like I can stand the 35 cents or so it costs to take another one.
Those $40 contest tows are quite a shock for me.

I'll bet! Do you tow anything heavier than the PW5, and how does that
work out?


I used to tow my Mini-Nimbus with a 140 HP Ford Taurus wagon. I actually
got better tows with that setup, I think because of a more favorable CG hook
position, but I never car-launched with much water because I was HP limited.
Instructions to the tow driver were "floorboard it until I get off."
Launches with a 1,500 foot rope were usually to about 1,400 feet. I'm sure
my present 200 HP vehicle would launch an 1,100 lb gross glider with no
problem but I would want a stronger rope than my present 1/4 inch dacron
(Wings and Wheels $270). I have launched a friend's Ventus a few times with
the Escape and he gets real good launches. With the Mini-Nimbus and a well
worn rope, I would get some rope breaks.

Larry Pardue 2I