Latest boat project
10 August 2008
Finally fitted my mizzen sail and took it for a sail on the local lake. It all worked very well, but unfortunately on going out in the sea the other day I managed to loose it over board before putting it up. Not to worry, I used my old 15 square foot sail instead and beefed up the mast step. I have been out on it once and with a combined sail area of 30 square feet, can sail rather well.
Next I need to either make or purchase a larger leeboard and maybe move it back just a little to compensate for the mizzen sail, but even in its current setup I can sail a course and tack through the wind. Here is a pic with both sails up:
21 July 2008/strong>
Fitting the mizzen sail is taking a little longer than I had hoped, but so far everything is going pretty much according to plan. Although not all fitted out here are a couple of pictures with both my main and mizzen sail. It will be interesting to see how if affects the balance of the boat. Only being about 9 square feet I hope I shall be able to easily compensate for any weather helm with an adjustment in the position of the lee board, alternatively it will be time to make a bigger rudder.
20 July 2008
Having decided to cancel my Devon Coastal adventure this year for a number of reasons, I have been busy making a few modifications to my kayak sailing rig.
It has been unseasonably windy this summer so I have had plenty of opportunity to test my latest setup. I have simplified my outriggers, rather than using two akas I am only using one. Also I have cut them down a little in length.
Here are a few clips of me sailing off Exmouth in fairly strong wind conditions (in fact as I was beating back up the estuary I snapped my mast base which I have now reinforced)
They are only taken from my phone so not very big and low quality:
Kayak sailing video 1 - Starboard tack
Kayak sailing video 2 - Port tack
I am in the process of rigging up a mizzen sail for my Scupper Pro. This should be ready in a few days so I'll post some pictures when complete. For information my main sail is approximately 15 square feet and the mizzen about 9 square feet.
My Kayak