Re: [Paddlewise] sail rigs

-----Original Message-----
From: Richard G. Mitchell, Jr. <mitchelr_at_ucs.orst.edu>
To: Matt Broze <mkayaks_at_oz.net>; paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
<paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net>
Date: Thursday, December 02, 1999 3:54 AM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] sail rigs


>Matt Broze wrote:
>
>> 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.
>
>These are really issues for Mark B. to address as the undoubted authority
but
>I'll add a bit.  Spinnakers have distinct drawbacks over standard sails.
They
>tend to load and unload suddenly when the wind changes direction and apply
their
>force high on the mast.  One design that shall remain nameless is down
right
>diabolical in applying sudden destabilizing loads in slight wind shifts.

Why not let us know what you don't like by name, we might appreciate the
warning.

 >But stability aside, spinnakers don't work very well for practical
sailing.  Three
>years ago we tested two spinnaker rigs on Folbots and the standard Klepper
main
>in the Charlottes over a 5 day period.  In all sorts of wind conditions,
>backing, changes around headlands and the like the main was a better
(though
>smaller in size than either of the spinnakers).  It could be deployed
earlier
>and left up longer, would depower simply by releasing the sheet (the
spinnakers
>would sometimes blow into the water [!!!] dragging the mast down with them
>unless furiously lowered and carefully stowed) and did not flap or flail
about.
>Also the standard Klepper mast was smaller and lighter.

Smaller and lighter than what?
You don't say what spinnaker rig you used. Strangely my experience with the
spinaker was with an old Feathercraft one. We were in the Queen Charlottes
as well for (3 weeks). Two Feathercraft doubles and a Klepper single with
all the trimmings (jib, main, boom, leeboards etc.) Our experience was just
the opposite of yours. Those using the Klepper had all sorts of trouble in
good winds and became so nervous downwind with the wing on wing position and
constant risks of gybing (jibing) in shifting winds. Furthermore, it would
take them so long to get set up compared to the simple Feathercraft mast and
spinaker we had to wait again for them. When they did use it wing on wing
they we no faster than us. However, they soon resorted just using the jib
and stowing all the rest. We would leave them far behind with the spinaker
and have to wait for them again.
I could release one (hand held) line on the spinaker if things got too
exiting or the wind shifted suddenly, and as I recall it was small enough
and high enough it could not drag in the water at all. I was glad for the
stability of the loaded double while using it in strong shifting winds (but
if I had a single I would probably rather have paddled and surfed the
following waves anyhow rather than deal with the sail).

>While the venerable
>Klepper AII can be sailed with the standard main without any lee boards
>(presuming a normal load) to about 45 degrees off the wind, Matt's
experiences
>in doing so with a spinnaker are exceptional.  We were unable to get either
>spinnaker rig to provide practical power more than 30 degrees off.  For
places
>like the Bahamas where the trades blow day after day from the NE to NW the
>standard sail is fine, the spinnaker near useless.  That said, Mark
Balogh's
>creation, the Twins (copied by Folbot) will work passably when folded
behind the
>mast for reaching.  We used one of Mark's larger Twins in the southern
Bahamas
>last year (and wished every moment we had our Batwing) but it was
acceptable.

I have know doubt that the batwing is the superior sail but I want something
relatively cheap and compact that I can use easily without having to pack
along a lot of other gear like the poor Klepper paddlers did. Sounds like
Marks "Twins" and John Winters "fold around the mast" Ljungstrom rig are
similar. When I wanted to try to sail on a beam reach with the spinnaker I
wrapped one side around the mast and then used it like a boomless main. I
could sail at about 90 degrees relative to the wind. Even though my partner
and I used our paddle blades as lee boards I doubt we were able to travel a
course made good that high and our "makeshift main" was definitely not very
efficient at that angle either.
Okay designers out there. Here is the sail rig I want. Simple spinaker
reefed with a sheath and ring you can pull down the mast. Shock corded 3 or
4 section mast for easy storage inside the kayak and to minimize the risk of
dropping a piece overboard. Ability to double it over around the mast to
form a main for broad reaches or to use fastened to the bow like a genniker.
Next I want extra grommets on it and a shape something like a Moss Parawing
to use with the mast pole and cords in camp as a relatively flap free rain
or sun tarp. The 30d silicone sealed nylon that Stephenson and others now
uses in tents might be a good material to keep it light and compact. If some
one wants to take this idea and run with it please send me a prototype to
test. Maybe and A-sail mast would adapt easier to a kayak (than a single
mast with its need to be stepped) and provide two poles for camp uses too.
Is that asking too much? If you could figure out how to step it on an
inflatable even Audrey Sutherland would probably look at it enviously for
its multi-purposes (and cheapskate that she is--will then go make her
own;-). I trust Audrey will understand this is a compliment coming from me
(but I wanted to make that clear to the rest of you).
>
>While there is fervor and amusement in not sailing with a rudder this is
hardly
>the way to maximize performance or enjoyment.  Those with deep commitments
to
>avoiding rudders for spiritual or athletic reasons should by no means be
tempted
>to do so.  But if you want to sail a kayak in comfort and a range of
conditions
>the right rudder is a must.

I agree for most rigs a rudder is of benefit but the V-sail is easier to use
without a rudder. If you sailboard, do you use a rudder? No, it would just
complicate things and get in the way. Same with the pivoting based V-sail.

>Snip<

Matt Broze
http://www.marinerkayaks.com


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