jacket that can be slipped over a PFD if the weather goes bad. http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2584&deptid=947 Also, does anyone have any experience with Spirit Sails. It looks like an interesting set up? John MacKechnie *************************************************************************** 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 got one about a month ago. Really well made with some nice features and the price is right. I haven't had to use it in really bad weather yet but seems like it will do the job. One word of caution. The NRS sizing chart seems to be somewhat off for the jacket. I usually wear a medium but according to their chart I needed a large. The large was far too big so I ended up sending it back and getting a medium. -Patrick At 1:29 PM -0400 5/25/04, John MacKechnie wrote: >jacket that can be slipped over a PFD if the weather goes bad. > >http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2584&deptid=947 > > >Also, does anyone have any experience with Spirit Sails. It looks like an >interesting set up? > >John MacKechnie *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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. A 60" umbrella = ~ 19 sq ft of sail, a 72" umbrella = ~ 28 sq ft of sail...enough to get you moving along. The central part is vented so in case of a gust of wind the umbrella doesn't fold back. The umbrella is easy to 'deploy' and stows easily on the rear deck with your spare paddle. On one occasion I had a GPS along and was running 5-6 mph downwind. No mounts required. Easy to get rid of if you capsize (just let go). The umbrella comes in handy around cap too. You can buy this type of umbrella with a couple of clear panels - so you could see through the canopy. BTW, a small float attached would be useful - umbrellas sink! Probably not as sexy as the Spirit Sails but pretty versatile and only $30. Also, if you ever needed a signaling device - a 72" umbrella being opened and closed with alternating orange and white panels would be pretty noticeable! K *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> 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. *************************************************************************** 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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