Richard G. Mitchell, Jr. wrote: > >> (LARGE SNIP OF WELL WRITTEN INFORMATION! Thanks Richard!) > 4. Now what I want from Santa... > Let's imagine the best of all worlds where you could develop new products and keep > up with the demands for existing ones. Santa would bring me a catalogue listing > the following BSD items. > a. The small Batwing such as I now have, with a 1.25 standard Klepper size mast > and proper rigging in a sail bag and with brief and simple illustrated > instructions. No wishbone necessary in my experience. Don't want a 20 square foot > Bat reefed down. This is by comparison a much larger package than needed or > convenient to store on a single. Cost under $300. b. (Hang on to your hat) A BSD > tuned S-4 system of sails and rigging including one of Mark Eckart's line control > boards (the one in his present catalogue is on my Klepper and is great). The > venerable S-4 is perhaps one of the most versatile of all sailing systems for > those who know how to use it effectively. When considering long flights with a > folder were space an weight count the S-4 is much to be recommended. In places > like the Bahamas with predictable winds day after day it is suitable even for > beginners. Elsewhere, as Ralph notes, simple jib sailing will get you buy easily > and safely. But imagine the best of all worlds -- an S-4 made by Mark and Sam > with the best fabrics and hardware and maximized for efficiency. Sold including > hardware and control board for under $500 complete. Special request: make the > mast 1 3/8 inch in diameter so we can use it unstayed. This is a great safety > advantage I believe. > I guess if "santa" is taking orders out there, I better get my name on the list also. :-) I too like the ideal of the smaller batwing, and with the smaller mast. Being the owner of a kodiak that sounds pretty good. I had about resigned myself to either making a small sail for it, or just using the small spinnaker. If I use the spinnaker, it would be without rudder AND not for cooler water. The Bahamas or Baja don't sound too bad either, while I'm dreaming. James, back to the water..(laundry day) > You asked what we wanted so there is one answer. > > I'll be good from now on, just on the chance. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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