In a message dated 1/9/03 6:41:48 AM, Craig Bowers writes: > Just puzzled why Feathercraft owners seem to be less prone to write up > about their sails. > Feathercraft makes a downwind spinnaker sail for the K-1. I've used it with satisfaction for years. I suppose it's like sailing any other kayak with only a kayak rudder. If the wind is decent (10-15 knots) and going the right way, the biggest problem is steering, which takes obsessive concentration. With swell, the slightest broach will quickly become a mini-crisis, with the boat whipping around parallel to the swell and the sail pulling the boat over. The kayak rudder is not a good sailing rudder. But it still nice to take break from paddling once in awhile. The mast can complicate getting in and out of the sea sock in a hurry, but then again you should NEVER have the mast up in the surf zone-- that's really asking for all sorts of calamities, like a boat loaded with water hurtling through the surf with a spear in front of it. I always stow my mast before launching or landing unless the surf is very mild. The mast breaks down into three sections and just fits in my large duffel-- except you should always put the mast in the nylon case first or it can punch a hole in your duffel. As far as images are concerned, I've posted one on kayakguide.com with my write-up on paddling and sailing the Exumas. It shows my partner and me sailing across the Wide Opening. The sail looks a little puny, but it works. It works best if you hold the ropes in your hands and secure your paddle. But I like to secure one rope to the feathercraft (just forward of the coaming) and the other past the connecting button below my paddle blade. I set my paddle blades parallel to avoid accidental ruddering (see broaching above). Then I get a wider sail surface and can secure the paddle with a spare elbow while I concentrate on steering. One more thing. Always remember to strap the deck to the frame (with the strap provided) where the sail attaches to the deck. Otherwise a strong wind could rip open your deck. douglas san francisco douglas san francisco *************************************************************************** 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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