I'm guessing sail rigs (commercially produced or home-brewed) have been discussed on this forum before - but to some of us new to the list....what rigs do people like to use? parafoil kites? simple spinnakers? paddle mounted rigs? Can the various rigs be used only directly downwind - or can you quarter slightly? Seems like this would be easier to do with kite style 'sails'. Also, a question about rigging a parafoil...never supposed to tie it to you or the boat - so do you just hang on to the line by hand - or have you devised a quick release mechanism of sorts? Thanks again - this forum is a great resource! Keith *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
what > rigs do people like to use? parafoil kites? simple spinnakers? paddle > mounted rigs? Can the various rigs be used only directly downwind - or can > you quarter slightly? Basically, there are 5 brands that provide for both upwind and downwind sailing with sail area 24-55 sq.ft: Balogh Sail Designs (battened main sail without boom, free-standing mast), Fastyak (similar to BSD, but mast on struts), Folbot (main sail furled around free-standing mast to reef - unusual design, but not without drawbacks), Pouch Pacific Rig (main sheet +jib, mast on struts), and Klepper S4 (don't know this one too well, but it looks a little bit too traditional :-). First 3 offer outriggers for better stability. There are also downwind rigs by these and other manufacturers, and lots of kite rigs and V-sails (Sprit?), that provide for downwind sailing only, and are not too easy to handle. I think the easiest to handle and most effective for given size is BSD (most expensive as well). All these sport equipment prices are just unreasonable, but that's another story. All these brands have pretty detailed websites. There is also CLC rig, I think it should work upwind as well, but their outriggers are non-portable wooden; sail itself is pretty standard mainsail. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
And there are also cheap and simple designs by Australians and Tasmanians, about 10-18 sq.ft, for downwind and across-the-wind sailing, but I don't know if they can go really upwind. http://www.vision.net.au/~jennings/sail/sail.html http://www.nswseakayaker.asn.au/mag/44/sailrigs.html *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
al,m wrote: - >And there are also cheap and simple designs by >Australians and Tasmanians, about 10-18 sq.ft, >for downwind and across-the-wind sailing, but >I don't know if they can go really upwind. G'Day, The link below shows a popular design by Norm Sanders. Although my sail is quite small, it goes well in winds greater than 10 knots and can be set and lowered very easily at sea. There is no trouble rolling with it. Most of the Aussie sails I've seen don't go upwind, but will work across the wind. http://home.iprimus.com.au/rebyl_kayak/ . All the best, Peter *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Even though upwind is when a sail would be nice, I would at least like a system that could provide power downwind (by that I include about 45 deg either side of downwind). Getting set up to sail upwind seems to add several layers of complications. The other thing that would be nice in a downwind rig would be the ability to run the sail rig hands-free - leaving the paddle available for bracing/boat control/grabbing a snack/etc. If you have to hold the sail up with your arms and back, my guess is you'll be almost as sore when you finish a long run as if you paddled it (probably using different, less conditioned muscle positions). Maybe just feigning an illness and grabbing a tow from that stronger paddling partner while you grab a nap during those upwind stretches is the simplest option! :o) ;o) Keith *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
OH NO! I already made a fool out of myself by landing with my skeg deployed (last weekend). I am not going to deliberately reveal any more weaknesses amongst my paddling partners, at least not until I am trying to learn how to roll, which is coming up soon. Marsanne >> > Maybe just feigning an illness and grabbing a tow from that stronger > paddling partner while you grab a nap during those upwind stretches is the > simplest option! :o) ;o) *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
>Getting set up to sail upwind seems to add > several layers of complications. Principal difference (from downwind) is that upwind sailing requires a "leeboard" (sailing dingiest call it a "centerboard"), otherwise upwind results in side-way drift, however you are still moving forward. Also, upwind sail area should be at least 24 sq.ft, preferably 32 or more. Such area results in a strong heeling when wind is over 9-10 knots, therefore outrigger is necessary, and this is a second and probably the last complication. Again, it depends on kayak width - some doubles may do well without outrigger, and both S4-Klepper and Pacific Pouch rigs were designed for use on doubles without outriggers, although for me in a single in a North Pacific waters it's not an appealing opportunity. Tastes differ, though. >in a downwind rig would be the ability to run the sail rig hands-free - leaving > the paddle available for bracing/boat control/grabbing a snack/etc. If you > have to hold the sail up with your arms and back, my guess is you'll be > almost as sore when you finish a long run as if you paddled it "Downwind only" rig still requires sheeting. In winds over 8-10 knots you won't be able to sail any rig without permanent attention to wind direction relative to your boat, and permanent (every 15-30 seconds) corrections of rudder position or sail angle. It may sound complicated, but with little experience it goes almost automatically, like maintaining lean/speed/turn radius balance on the bicycle. Bracing isn't needed with an outrigger (and majority of people with BSD or Folbot rigs are using outrigger). Hard pulling of rough 3" sailing rope by a dozen of tough seadogs in a storm is more a movie myth, and has very little in common with a kayaking sail rig. 32-38 sq.ft rigs like Folbot or BSD are equipped with pulleys, and need much less efforts than paddling. It's good and bad at the same time - sailing a kayak isn't any workout. Alex. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
"I'm guessing sail rigs (commercially produced or home-brewed) have been discussed on this forum before - but to some of us new to the list....what rigs do people like to use? parafoil kites? simple spinnakers? paddle mounted rigs? Can the various rigs be used only directly downwind - or can you quarter slightly? Seems like this would be easier to do with kite style 'sails'." ... Keith I use a BSD 32 sq ft with outriggers for my Nautiraid Grand Raid II. It works beautifully either downwind or reaching. It is easy to handle, need very little trim to sail and all controls are easily accessible from the cockpit, even reefing. I use it either in a single or double configuration. I would recommend the rig. Michel *************************************************************************** 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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