Re:[Paddlewise] sail rigs

Rev Bob Carter wrote:

> Has anyone tried out the Kayak sailing rig by Primex/Deluge. Just got a
post
> card advertizement. It is strickly a down wind sail but may help me make
> longer trips in the future.

Larry Koenig responded:

>>I have tried their sail rig and was disappointed with it.  Although they
suggest that it is possible to do some limited off wind sailing I couldn't
make it happen.  Down wind it moved the boat okay but became dangerous for
me whenever the water got a little rough.  Since the paddle is occupied
holding up the sail it is not available for bracing. It's not there for
steering either so you've got to have a rudder. <<

I tried the Primex sail to and it worked fine for me in moderate winds and
up to about 45 degrees off the wind (but I thought it kind of
underpowered--but might have changed my mind in stronger winds) I also
disliked having to hold it up but it is not essential that you use the
paddle to do that. I found it was easy to drop if you didn't fasten it to
the paddle. It most certainly does not need a rudder to steer with (or even
the paddle). Since it can pivot at the deck mount like a sailboard it can
also be steered just by leaning the rig to one side or the other. Lean rig
left turn right.

 >>And woe is the paddler who
tips over while using their outfit.  A seriously encumbered paddle cannot a
good roll make.<<

A customer of mine who had built a larger homemade one previously explained
the that he didn't need a rudder to turn (so I didn't have to discover this
for myself) and I don't recall getting any directions with the sail either.
This customer also said he had no trouble with capsizes because if he did
capsize all he had to do was move the sail rig out to one side and push down
on it to roll right back upright.


>>In my limited experience, a kite is a  better option for free downwind
ergs.
Larry Koenig<<

I have had far more experience with parafoil kites (7.5 & 15 sq.ft.) than
with sails but my kite experiences ranged from struggles to get it flying,
backpaddling to keep it flying and disappointments with the wind once
launched all the way to rising apprehension about the tigers tail I had
grabbed hold of one 25 to 30 knot day as I realized how difficult it might
be to let go as I was planing toward the horizon in my 20.5" wide kayak that
was yawing back and forth wildly following the kite doing the same thing.
Its real had to keep your paddle tucked under your arm while trying to wind
in the kite and not capsize in a situation like this. One needs two more
hands, next time the wind really blows maybe I'll try it from a double
kayak. Sails seem a lot more practical and safer with a double as well (but
part of that may be that a double is not as much fun to paddle either).

I've spent too much time paddling backwards trying to keep the kite in the
air and then chasing after my buddies after struggling with the kite for far
too long. About the only advantage I can see is a kite is light and doesn't
take up much space. BTW you don't need a rudder to use a kite either just a
rotating line to the bow so you can "fasten" it further forward on the kayak
(or a paddler in the bow cockpit holding the line). I could easily go 45
degrees to the wind with a kite by moving the pulling point about half way
from the bow back to me (when I could actually fly it at all).
Of the sails I've used  liked a spinnaker best as it was so simple to use,
powerful, didn't require too much bulky equipment like leeboard or
outriggers, was easy to set up and take down, and could be configured in
different ways. Who needs to sail upwind anyway when you have a paddle that
can get you there easier and faster.

Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com

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