I remember this page. Saw it first time may be 4 years ago, before buying PA rig. After some thinking, decided to spend $300. Yes, it is possible to make, if you have time and desire to solve some little yeat inevitable problems. PA provides straps with buckles to attach the mast base to the hull - these straps require sewing machine or a bit of work with upholstery thread and needle. PA provides "hull mounts" - small brackets to attach to the hull, may be you can make similar brackets or buy it somewhere or use something different. Some things you just have to know - like those small inline cleats (called "dog cleats", and there ar other names too) - I have never used such things before, and wouldn't even know what to look for in marine stores :-)... Otherwise, after you've got all the parts, everything can be done at home in a few days. Rebecca suggests one idea that commercial PA has completely overlooked - foam padding around the mast base, to prevent the deck scratching. I used commercial PA (1 sq.m. size = 11.3 sq.ft), it has its pros cnad cons. Wind has to be at your tail within 70-80 degree angle to your course - with a beam wind you'll drift to the lee too much. It tends to unfurl somewhat (when stowed on deck) and then it is catching the wind and flapping annoyingly. It is a bit far forward in the bow, and has more capsize potential than similar size Spirit Sail. It requires more attention than Spirit sail, because it is rigid, doesn't spill the wind, which increases both perfrormance and capsize potential. But it does perform better than Spirit. Largely, due to bigger size (small Spirit is 8.5 sq.ft). Other factors contribute less, in my opinion - though PA's ability to be instantly raised and lowered is amazing. > Make your own and save $300. Rebecca Heap came up with the original > design and used to give away plans and take workshops at symposiums. > Pacific Action used these plans as the basis of their (??) design. > > The link below is for Rebecca's plans. Very cheap & easy to make, it > performs just as well as the commercial version. > > http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/grantglazer/Kayak/Hintssail.htm > > Cheers > Grant *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sun Jun 22 2008 - 13:38:49 PDT
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