Re: [Paddlewise] limited ....warning-long sail content

Sandykayak_at_aol.com wrote:
> 
> 
> And I've been dying to ask if anyone has come up with a SIMPLE way to devise
> a mickey mouse sail for a SOT without a rudder.  Just got back from a canoe
> trip where my golf umbrella as a sail was fun - but my paddling partner was
> the rudder.
> 
> I can do some simple sewing.  The problem is not having a rudder to steer
> with and I don't want to mess about with a mast.

Let's see, no rudder and don't want a mast. "A big hat with a chin 
strap!?" :-)

First let me say that "I" would say to stay away from kites, especially 
seeing as how you don't have a rudder. Kites can be great fun and good 
pullers, but they can also be lots of trouble. The main thing is you 
can't "turn them off" when you might want to. You go over or something 
and if the kite is attached to you, the kayak, or even a paddle, it will 
keep on flying.

Look in just about any kayaking magazine and you will see a big AD for 
EASY RIDER. You should also see a picture of a small, simple sninnaker 
sail. This might be what you are looking for..? That or you might make 
something like it. It is simply(easy for me to say)a small spinnaker that 
is used with a mast thats made out of a fishing pole(or looks like it). 
The "mast" breaks down in two pieces and mounts to the deck on those 
little thingys that you mount your fishing pole to(or a dozen other 
gadgets that they fit).
You can fly the thing down wind just like a spinnaker. You can hold the 
bottom lines(land lubber terms)and your paddle at the same time, and drop 
a paddle tip slightly to correct your course.(or body english is your 
kayak allows for this)
You can also fold it in half(towards you so that it is wrapped on the 
mast)and sail off to the side of the wind "somewhat".
It takes up almost no room and one goes with me on all my trips(I only 
have a rudder on one of my kayaks).

I would think the mount for the mast would be good to use for other 
things on a SOT(gimbled drink holder)?? :^)

Bottom line is to keep it simple and be able to get what ever you are 
using down and secured if conditions change. A bunch of nylon hanging in 
the water or flapping madly on the deck, on a windy day isn't much fun.

BTW: The mast step that I use on my aleut and kodiak for the above setup, 
is a piece of PVC pipe that just fits where a "real" mast should, and 
flush with the deck. I made the ID large enough to just plug in the 
little fishing pole mast in that. Simple, fast and works great.

Hope this helps some.

James

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