Our Enemy the Wind, is my friend
 

The vast open ocean and feeling its breeze in a solitary kayak can be a taste of heaven for some. Taking out that rod and reel and getting a nice solid bite makes you feel like your in Cloud Nine.
The breeze starts coming in and starts blowing you away and now your day is ruined and have to paddle back to land arriving exhausted.


All of us here has had the excruciating pain of dealing with paddling into the wind. Sometimes the wind picks up so bad that you have paddle/peddle so hard just to make head way.


For a few years, I was thinking about buying a motor, but only the Torqueedo would make sense to me. I did not want to deal with carrying a heavy battery so I decided on a sail.


I did my research, and I could not find a Sail that was adequate enough to go as close as possible to the wind. That is until I found a review on KayakSailor.

The website made bold claims about sailing as close to a headwind as possible, something that other kayak sailing company's did not have. (except for Falcon sails which do not have leeboards)



1st thing is first: Went to DMV got my kayak registered.
2nd thing ordered my 3" vinyl stickers CF number at : http://www.totalestickers.com/SIGNS/...lettering.html
3rd installed my 1.4m Kayak Sailor.


When I was out on Sunday at Marina Del Rey, I had many sailboat stop by and ask me about the sail.

I had many comments
" Man that is stupid, putting a sail on a kayak" " Dude, I love it" "way cool"
"Man, that is crazy, I love it."



The wind was not blowing hard on Sunday, until I made it out of the break water.

I felt the full potential of this sail. My sail was absorbed with Wind force, and I was traveling at a pretty high rate of speed. I have to counterbalance the force of the wind with my body.



At no time did I feel the I was going to tip over. The leeboard create water resistance in this case which helps not to roll over. AT one point I had to stick out my paddle and let it glide on the water because I was sailing pretty fast.


It was nice being on the kayak and not have to paddle too much.

I have had no Sailing experience Prior to the making of this video:

Deploying the sail and trying to figure out how it works:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ieu5u2ah-2o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


part 2:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mMfP9HLq3Gs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

part 3:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gH92XFO8E0M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>




Next Video: OFFSHORE FISHING :)

Whats a "high rate of speed" to you?
Whats the total investment so far?

I was thinking of taking a big kite out there and letting it pull me back in to shore after a day out. I'm thinking some leftover 50 LB braid for line that I stripped off one of my reels should work.

Holy crap frank you lazy bastard!!!!

That thing costs a fortune!!! $639 bucks???

Yes, and cheaper than a PA 14. :cheers1:

Investment so far $700 dollars or so give or take a few


high rate of speed " unable to answer that question because I did not have my GPS on my kayak. I will try to compute the speed next time.

So $700 bucks...huh?

That's a top speed of 2 knots / $700 bucks = $350 per knot of speed. (only when the wind is blowing)


I got some enchanted underwear that will get you at least 2.5 knots for $100 bucks.

Let me know frank I'll give you a deal.

The price you pay to do nothing, and then you get stuck when you don't have any wind. LOL :p.

I am going to try this out in Cabrillo.

Don't fall off, that yak will sail away without you. Maybe wear an ankle leash ;)

I can asure you that your total invesment(kayak, sail, paddle, etc.) is not cheaper than a PA but if it is its not much.

Regadless, that's pretty cool...................pretty cool if the wind is blowing away from the launch in the morning and towards the launch in the afternoon ;)

Let Mother Nature do the work, pretty sweet setup.


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How's your rig compare with a Hobie OEM rig in performance? Cost?

I'd always wonder about 'em. (Looks like a thing to try!)

I do not have a clue. I researched what was available for my kayak, if I could do without outriggers, can I surf launch it. How much Heeling can my back take on going sideways to the wind. Etc...

Since this setup allowed me to gain a couple knots more at a 60 degree angle to the wind I figured why not?


I know Iceman and Steve have put outriggers and sails on their kayaks in search for offshore fish, maybe they chime in a little on their experience again.

Frank it looks like it works a lot better the a PA hatch flipped wide open. :rolleyes:

Should have got the motor instead Frank....


Ooooooh Buskid you sure told me...! :rolleyes:

You must be feeling guilty because no one mentioned your name. Funny thing is a year ago you were one of the guys that always had good things to say, and useful info, but lately your condescending comments have been adding nothing to the sport, or this forum, but hay what do I know I don't fish.

The motors are pretty cool but they sure do add a lot of weight to the kayak.


Frank, you need to join the Dark Side!!

Condescending?

Hey! That's my middle name! :rolleyes:

You got a problem with me? file it with the complaint department over on Matts desk, he'll review it for you. He'll get back to you in about 6 months. :rolleyes:

Would the sail work if the wind is blowing in your face? So if the wind direction is coming from where you are heading, how would you adjust the sail to gain pushing force?

Doesn't really work, you always have to go at some angle relative to the wind. You can sail at an angle somewhat into the wind but not directly, so when sailing sometimes you will have to zigzag to reach your destination.

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