instead of an aux motor

[jeffstevens763@g]

WindPaddle Cruiser Kayak Sail

for the kayakers & sailers amongst us what do you think of these for an aid to getting ashore for a sib, i understand that there is limitations but better that paddles your thoughts please.

cheers

[Poly]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

WindPaddle Cruiser Kayak Sail

for the kayakers & sailers amongst us what do you think of these for an aid to getting ashore for a sib, i understand that there is limitations but better that paddles your thoughts please.

cheers

This particular design is really a downwind only sail. If the wind is blowing the right way to get where you want to go you probably won't be struggling with oars. Even if you had a better upwind sail, with no centreboard you'd find yourself going sideways a lot.

[Neil Harvey]

Ok so what happens when there is no wind or its blowing out to sea?
And even with wind will it work? Says for tandems but a sib is a different beast isn't it? Much more watrr friction due to width?

[jeffstevens763@g]

well it says for bigger stable boats and yes its only 180 degrees down wind but my thoughts were in an off shore wind it would keep you off the rocks.
when you google it there are some of the small one man inflatables with them fitted.
i take poly's point from a sailing point of view dagger boards and stuff but would the engine act as a rudder enough to steer with angling the sail as well.

[ribber]

Same principle I guess, so if windy enough and happy to go with wind direction, perhaps a standard box kite would do the same at considerably less money.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by ribber

Same principle I guess, so if windy enough and happy to go with wind direction, perhaps a standard box kite would do the same at considerably less money.

if its windy enough you'll get "downwind" with just the windage of the boat!

[jeffstevens763@g]

You can buy sailing inflateable catamarans so would the difference be because the sail in conventional , mast & boom, so the direction can be maintained by tacing into wind not a sailer so forgive the daft questions.

[chipko]

Jeff,
Think I'd rather trust my luck with the good old 'freewheeling outboard'. At least it will keep you occupied while waiting for rescue/imminent disaster!
http://www.bhg-marine.co.uk/free-whe...FQ5mGwodCFQD1w
Don't laugh but I actually have one. They're fun and do work surprisingly well, but no substitute for a powered aux. 😀

[Last Tango]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

You can buy sailing inflateable catamarans so would the difference be because the sail in conventional , mast & boom, so the direction can be maintained by tacing into wind not a sailer so forgive the daft questions.

That kind of rig won't tack up wind.
Not to say you couldn't rig some kind of more conventional rig in an emergency.

[chipko]

Unfortunately you ain't gonna go anywhere but downwind without a centre board or rails. The drag of the motor at the back, if you leave it down, will also compound the problem rather than help.

[GuyC]

I'm not sure it would give you anything other than down wind or at best 20 degrees of it. I know in the video they have the boat pointing at 90 degrees but I suspect they are going predominantly sideways i.e. downwind. It is an interesting idea though and I'd considered a kite surfing kite.

You can get the kite to 'tack' upwind and the distance upwind gained would be translated back to the boat. Unlike sailing it's the kite that would be tacking rather than the whole boat.

The power lines on the kite would be attached to the boat leaving you in control of the control lines.

The have an inflatable leading edge so they will water start.

I'm still looking at outboards though!

[jeffstevens763@g]

Thanks for the input guys lot more knowledge than I have I was impressed by the pop up tent idea and quite intrigued by just having a sail having never done it. The kite surf sounds good but the old bones might not agree motor it is then.

Cheers