RE: Hi-Start vs Winch - Area Needed ? ?
Bob,
I feel your pain, as I have to setup my hi start diagonally at my home field which only favors a NW or SE wind direction-plus I have to put up with the hassle of the prop pilots snagging my chute or line on their takeoffs or landings.
A winch will generally get you higher with a zoom launch, which may be hard on your wings.
Remember that you can only achieve the height of the distance to the winch turnaround without zooming.Winches also take some time to setup (and take down) at the fieldand they are rather expensive as compared to a hi start or even an electric setup on the model. There are many threads on electrifying the BOT on this forum. I've electrified most of my sailplane fleet many years ago and only have a couple "pure" sailplanes which I handlaunch or slope soar.
Art ARRO