I have limited experience and will have more next Spring 2003. I have installed a large Spirit sail on a Current Designs Storm, a 17 foot plastic kayak. At most, in light winds 5 MPH and less than 10 MPH, I have sailed up to 30 degrees from the direction of the wind, or 60 degrees total, that is 30 degrees on either side. I can easily see through the window on the sail. >From what I can see, the sail will spill wind in higher wind speeds as advertised. Since I did not do 1 and 2 in the tests listed below, I did not use the sail on my kayak trip in Voyageurs National Park in Northern Minnesota this last Fall. Other uses: I have also rigged my Wenonah solo canoe for this sail. I am in the process of rigging a hydrobike for this sail (www.hydrobikes.com) and Chuck Newberg at Spring Creek (www.canoegear.com) is making the special fitting for the hydrobike as they sail hydrobikes and Spirit sails. I would like to calculate how much power this sail gives - rig up something for the frozen lakes. Or perhaps, I will stick with my larger windsurfer sails which have more power (winters are long in Minnesota in case you are wondering why I would do this. I do not like the noise nor expense of snowmobiles). Design flaw when kayaking and sailing: The V that the sail slides into sinks. While pulling the sail up (for example, you and your kayaking are nearing the shore and you need to take down the sail), the V also comes out of the fitting. It can slide off of the sail and into the water and sink. I have tested this feature :(. Work arounds. Place a bungie with hooks around the V so it remain in the socket during sail removal. Glue foam on the V so it cannot sink. Paint the foam bright orange or yellow so it can be spotted on the water, remembering the conditions upon which you may use this 15 MPH winds. The question remains - why did I have to do these workarounds. And why is all the plastic black which a hard to find color on the water? Concerns - removing the sail in higher winds, ex. 15 MPH. With practice, I will get this sail removal working. Please note I am use to removing a sail on a sailboat, not a kayak. These are more tests next year and also in pool rolling sessions (I live in Minnesota so most of the lakes and rivers will be freezing soon). 1. Capsize with the sail, first in the pool; then underway in lighter winds on the lakes, and then in increasingly faster wind speed. I would most likely capsize in higher wind speeds. I have concerns with the sail enveloping me after capsizing. 2. Determine how much or little stability is provided with sponsons while sailing in the canoe and kayak. (I have hooks on the canoe and kayak so I can easily deploy the sponsons while underway). Or determine if I should deploy and inflate paddlefloats on my paddle for stability, referring to my concern with capsizing and being wrapped underwater in a sail. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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