There are basically three types of kites - single, dual, and quad line. Within those three major groupings, you have MANY smaller groupings by shape, materials, spars, etc. The ability to control them is the simplest way to describe the difference between the three line configurations. With the single line kites, you have very little control over where the kite is in the air once it is up. You can move them, but only marginally under the conditions you would experience from the cockpit of a boat. With the dual line kites, you have more control over where they are up and down and side to side in the wind column. Again, both soft and rigid kites are available in a vast array of materials. With a quad line kite, you have control over up, down, and side to side in addition to the kites attitude to the wind. For instance, you have it in the same location in the wind column, but tilt it with a simple angle change in your wrist, and have it spill air to slow you down, or flatten it to the wind and have it haul you faster. The launch from the cockpit is the only issue I haven't quite worked out in my head, but I think the best method will be to launch the boat into shallow water and then once I'm afloat, launch the kite that's on land. The kite that I'm planning to take a crack at this with is my Revolution, made in California. I'll look for a link, and post it here later today. Where are you located geographically? I'd be more than happy to haul out the kites and demo all the different types for anyone in the Connecticut area.