The kayaker

Building a kayak sail.

Building your sail is a very economical alternative to some of the ready-to-use sail kits found on the market.

On the left the photo of the sail (100).

You have to go through the sewing workshop, the mast is simple to make. If you are a handyman, no problem.

The sail is mounted with a rudder of course that I suggest you make if your kayak does not have one. Sailing downwind, crosswind, upwind. If you know how to sail it's no problem. You can paddle with the sail unfolded whatever the wind direction, even headwind, and of course with the sail folded up.

The set does not require any drilling on the kayak unless you decide to fix the foot of the mast directly on the kayak without the wooden support (visible cross on the photo) and you do not have a life line.

Materials that I propose you to build with your hands on the left:

• A sail that allows you to go upwind.
• A mast support for this sail to be fixed without holes to be drilled on the kayak and its complete rigging.
• A crankset to control the rudder (without fixing holes).
• A rudder support to be fixed without holes to be drilled on the kayak.
• A list of equipment to be purchased and construction plans.
• The set can be adapted to kayaks (Sit On Top) (rudder plan for the Bic Bilbao to be modified for others) with or without minor modifications.
• The mast + sail support: adaptable for all kayaks.

Interests of this sail :

• Practically in 15 to 30 minutes you are on the fishing spot without paddling.
• Even if you have to come back without the sail this is a safety element.
• Trolling fishing becomes possible.
• As you can paddle with the sail unfurled: more speed, less fatigue.
• Drifting fishing then sail up the current is now possible, but stay alert, always assess the strength and direction of the current and wind.
• I advise you to have some knowledge of sailing.
• Conclusion: depending on the weather conditions an outing without paddling is possible.

Rudder's plan.

FAQ.

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Origin of the sail.

This type of kayak sail is very old, there are representations of it as early as the 2nd century BC among the Greeks.

A spar or lovard sail allows to stretch the gaff sail from the bottom of the mast upwards. Used by the river navy, it was adapted to the folding or removable masts of various boats, such as barges, barges and certain barges.

This type of sail has been used by optimists since 1947.

Its effectiveness depends on the aerodynamic finesse of the boat, in the case of the kayak some are more tapered but less stable and others less tapered but more stable. In both cases the performance is good.

The lighter the wind, the bigger the sail can be, the stronger the wind, the smaller the sail can be, hence the interest in making several sails, adapted to the weather conditions, to the boat, to your level.

For the assembly that I propose to you the change of sail is done simply by a pin.

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General conditions.

List of plans.