Re: [Paddlewise] Spirit Sails

> No experience with the jacket but in terms of downwind sails - I looked at
> these but at $250 I couldn't justify it for the amount of true downwind
> sailing I'd get.  I end up using (as I've seen others do) a 60 to 72" golf
> umbrella with the 'blow-out prevention' top.

I think they are $180 (CDN 250) at http://www.mec.ca , medium size.  Larger
should be $30 more.  Steve Isaak has a detailed report on its installation
and use in Watertribe magazine. The only advantage I can see (compared to
umbrella) is that you can add paddling force to it (nice option to keep you
warm too), and visibility is better due to narrow bottom part.  They include
a standard mount. For $30 you may replace it with a suction cup mount than
doesn't require any drilling and can be taken off, so will not attract
curious looks and questions when you just paddle.  For places with strong
and steady winds I would go for more "sail-looking" design, like Tasmaian
sails: http://www.vision.net.au/~jennings/sail/sail.html .  Paddling with
them is less relaxed than with medium Spirit - there is a control line, mast
is rigid which is either good or bad speaking of either sailing performance
or capsizing potential, and
boom seems to be low and close to forehead. Still, they allow more
cross-wind sailing than Spirit and can be reefed. There is also some hybrid
design resembling both Tasmanian and Spirit sails (V-shaped, but with a
control line), I think also in Tasmania.
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