Nick Reiter wrote: > Doug > > Thanks for such a comprehensive reply: that's a tremendously helpful review. > I also sail (a wee Drascombe Dabber 16 foot yawl) and I agree that being > able to spill wind in a hurry is vital for safety and control in any sailing > craft. (I know that the Spirit is supposed to spill wind "automatically" by > bending, but sometimes that might not be enough?) It does definitely spill wind, as the maker claims and as I and others have verified in actual use. The degree that it spills is what is in contention, and I may have not made the distiction in my earlier post. During a stiff blow, it maintains a fairly erect profile -- from what I could comprehend was happening. Certainly there is nothing intrinsic that lets the sail spill wind, other than some malleability in the plastic parts, etc. (unless I'm missing something here). Also, with un upwardly increasing "V" sail, the maximum propulsion enjoyed with the sail profile, is also the same leverage phenomena that can knock you over in a side gust. I had a friend off Port Hardy, at the top of the island, get in to some trouble when he couldn't take the unit down. He wasn't too sure last time I spoke with him if he would recommend them to his kayak rental customers. I think for moderate winds, the Spirit Sail is still a good unit. Anything is better than a kite (IMHO). DL *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sun Oct 27 2002 - 23:43:51 PST
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