Kayak Sail

hoz · Post by **hoz** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:50 am

FlaMike wrote: About the last thing I'd want would be to add "training wheels." If I wanted a trimaran, I'd have built on to begin with. (And I don't.)

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

Thats my thots eggactly! Some people like outriggers as they let them sail with more sq footage. I'd rather size down a bit and keep it simple.

One local builder (Melonseeds and Ian Oughtred sailing canoes) had to put outriggers on his sail canoe after they found out they couldn't handle it. It takes them twice as long to set up and tear apart.

FlaMike · Post by **FlaMike** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 10:42 am

I am set on trying a sailing rig with the Southwind, for certain. But I do intend to "keep it simple." If I wasn't convinced it can be do so, I'd have no interest in it.

If it just won't take any sort of dye or stain (maybe an ink?) I can live with the white. I did read the part about using indoor-outdoor carpet tape for seaming, but if need be, I could sew it.

When I get to this part of the build, I'll post what does and doesn't work for me.

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

Kayak Jack · Post by **Kayak Jack** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 5:31 pm

Mijey,

I'm serious about using husks of black walnuts. They will stain anything. Do you have black walnut any trees there?

ozark · Post by **ozark** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 8:27 pm

Your right Jack I'll give the walnut hull a try as I have both Tyvek and black walnut hulls available

FlaMike · Post by **FlaMike** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:32 pm

Never noticed any walnut trees in my neck of the woods. If that does work, then maybe the tea will too. If not, then I guess I'll be looking to "import" some!

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL

Kayak Jack · Post by **Kayak Jack** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:39 pm

A strong brew of black tea (get Lipton's - it isn't much good for anything else anyway) may give a tinge of color. It won't be as aggressive as black walnut hulls, though.

pogue3one · Post by **pogue3one** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:45 pm

Wow, Don't have to wait long for a comment around here!

The reason I posted the original question was not to come up with a plan for a sail powered kayak, but more of a wind assisted paddled craft. Since the wadefish was designed to cover long distances faster, I wanted to increase the range, without installing leeboards etc.. I was looking for a smaller sail, that would not be permanently attached but latched on when I need it.

I got the idea after reading an article on NSWSeakayaker. The article touted a design that the author called a "modified lateen sail" It was a forward mounted, very small sail that could be taken down with ease.

See the article here:
http://www.nswseakayaker.asn.au/mag/44/sailrigs.html

Anyway, I contacted the magazine so I could ask the author if it were possible to get plans for this sail. He recommended this sail (designed by someone else), even though he seemed to prefer the other in the article. I have, thus far been unsuccessfull in contacting the designer of this "Dragonfly-wing" design.

hoz · Post by **hoz** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 7:20 am

If all you want is downwind or slight crosswind I'd look into a "V" shaped sail. Pacific Action Sails is one commercially made product. Should be easy to home brew. Easily doused and furled on the deck when not in use.

http://www.pacificaction.com/
a review
http://topkayaker.net/cgi-bin/TopYakcgi ... 000029;p=0

Spirit sails look rather flimsy, also they don't furl like PAS.

http://www.spiritsails.com/home.shtml

After a couple of multi day canoe sailing expeditions with other canoes (who didn;t have sailing capabilities) I have come to a couple of conclusions:

Unless everyone is sailing the rig is inconvenient.

Paddling upwind is faster than tacking upwind.

On every other tack, (run or reach) you will outdistance the group rather easily.

You are always "out of sync" with the group.

If I go on another big water multi day trip with mixed boats I will have a simple downwind rig like the PAS.

Kayak Jack · Post by **Kayak Jack** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 11:39 am

Hoz,

It looks to me as thought those PAS sails are built upside down. All the effort is up high, where it works to tip over a boat.

However, I think a paddler can lay down either the left or right boom on deck and make it into a long, low sail - right?

hoz · Post by **hoz** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 1:31 pm

Kayak Jack wrote: I think a paddler can lay down either the left or right boom on deck and make it into a long, low sail - right?

They do have most of their sail up high, but they are pretty small sails to begin with, and they probably spill wind easily. I really don't consider them "sailing", more like assisted paddling.

I haven't used one, or even, with the exception of the online videos, seen one in action. But I have read you can pull one side down and actually get a beam reach.