If anybody within driving range of SW Pennsylvania has a yen to try a very unique kayak sailing rig I have one that creates a catamaran, with a central carbon fiber deck and about a 60 square foot sail on a 15’ mast and a huge rudder, from any pair of similar sized hardshell kayaks,: come and get it!!
I bought it from the engineer/inventor about 7 years ago (he reported that the setup was so fast that all of his paddling buddies were too terrified to use it with him). Never used it myself and have divested myself of all but one hardshell so I am not likely to do so. And the parts are clogging up my basement.
The inventor used marine grade treated lumber for the structures and stainless sailboat fittings. The big H frame straps onto the kayaks (the deck is a carbon fiber operating room gurney platform that he scavenged from a hospital where he was an operating engineer) and there are dual skegs, which need to have some sort of more permanent attachment rig added. I gathered the guy was one of those inventors who is really only interesting in the process of creation and/or solving a problem. And once the objective is achieved, he wants to move on to the next one. Constructive OCD/ ADD.
Before I cut this huge contraption up to build a workbench, somebody should come and haul it away intact. I can even deliver within 50 miles of my home (east end Pittsburgh).
[quote=“willowleaf, post:12, topic:101679, full:true”]
If anybody has a yen to try a very unique kayak sailing rig I have one
Hi willowleaf I sent you a message. I was messing around with my boats today. I have an old Folbot Super rig that I was seeing if I could adapt it to a two piece dingy I have. I will be redoing the varnish on the wood parts of my Folbot soon, and pulled out the sail rig.
I once hit 22 mph sailing my kayak, scared the crap out of me. On another occasion a bunch of us were at Asateague and sailed 10 miles, that was awesome!
Just came across this older thread. I’m hooked on sailing my kayak. I can sail to 65º of the wind. I’ve just installed thigh straps and I’m hoping I can sail closer to the wind this coming summer. Here’s a video from 2020:
You can see me struggling to keep the boat flat. I’m sure the thigh straps will help with that.
The main is 15 square feet and the jib is 4.3 square feet. I’ve had 5 sailboats of various size, starting with a sunfish, and for various reasons I’ve given them up. This is by far the easiest boat I’ve had to transport and launch.
Sailing is a great sport and I have enjoyed it in several different boats. I had a Columbia 23 at Lake Tahoe for many years. We used to sail my uncle’s 35 foot ketch in the San Juan Islands of WA.
For canoe sailing I have used a flannel bed sheet held between 2 canoes. With a tail wind it works amazingly well. For reaching, lee boards are required. It is very easy to capsize a kayak or canoe with a sail unless you are running before the wind.
When I was a kid my friends and I would use hefty bags for downwind bike runs. I’ve also done it recently in a kayak. It’s not so eloquent but cheap fun and not difficult to source.
I also have a paddle sail which is basically a round saucer shaped sail that is only good for downwind. I take that one with me when I’m in my smaller kayak which doesn’t have attachment points for the kayaksailor. It’s nice to have the option to pull it out when the wind is going in my direction.
Group on FB for kayak sails look there. Videos and info. Probably try it myself this year. Guess I’ll talk with Marshall at river connection.com I want more than downwind if I do it.
PD52 you’re going to need leeboards if you want to make way at more than 40 degrees upwind. That’s where the benefit of the SeaDog Commander sail fades. I’m still more kayaker than sailor so I’ll let those that use a rig like kayaksailor rig chime in on effectiveness.
