Mark, The Folbot sail rig , (and I believe, the Klepper) comes with a very large and heavy crossbar, that sits in front of the forward paddler, and holds the mast and leeboards. This crossbar extends beyond the sides of the boat, and makes it almost impossible for the forward person to paddle. The person seated in the rear seat might be able to paddle somewhat, with the boom, lines and tiller in place but a Folbot Super with two people and gear is much easier to move with two paddling. The Folbot sailing rig is comprised of several large parts; the mast, crossbar, two leeboards, the sail, and tiller. If one were to decide not to sail anymore, it's difficult to disassemble everything, and stow them inside the boat. Kites are much easier to store, lighter, and faster to deploy. As for an extended kite; if it were necessary to pull in the kite, it can be done by (gloved) hands, in long pulls. I've never needed to release much line with it, though, so it's pretty easy to bring in with the little handreel that it has. If I needed to change direction quickly with the kite up, couldn't that be done easily with the rudder? I think it would be like jibing, limited by wind direction, of course. Tina Portland, OR USA >I am glad that you are one of the people that has had some luck with >parafoils. I am curious though what it is the prevents you from paddling >with your Folbot lateen rig in place. Also in a similar line of >thought, what would you do in a strong wind with your kite fully >extented if you found yourself crossing the path of a freighter? Thanks >for your insight into this >Mark >>> I've had great success sailing with a parafoil kite. On the lower Columbia >> River, I've used a kite to pull 4 boats at once upriver! OK, the summer >> onshore flow winds there can get pretty bad, but I much prefer bringing a >> small kite to bringing the mast, leeboards, daggerboard, and lateen sail >> for the Folbot. Once all that stuff is attached to the kayak, it's >> impossible to paddle, say, if the wind were to die suddenly in the shadow >> of a freighter. >> >> I've also used the parafoil in long crossings, with winds coming from >> straight abeam, which is one advantage of having a rudder, (rubber, to you >> Californians?). Oh dear, stirring up to many "issues". Time to sign off! >> >> Tina >> Portland, OR USA > ------------------------------------------------------------- ___________ / OOOOOOO- / I / -OOOOOOO- / I /___________/ / I___________I / Have you hugged your bento today? Check out the BENTO BUGGY website at: http://www.pcez.com/BentoBuggy ------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Dec 06 1999 - 22:28:58 PST
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