Kayak sailing is becoming a popular sport, evidenced by the growing number of companies offering sailing rigs for kayaks and manufacturers offering kayaks specifically designed for sailing. Safety is the primary consideration when sailing a kayak, as with any water sport. With the proper safety gear and training, along with practice, kayak sailing can be a fun and exhilarating way to spend time on the water. With a sailing rig, kayakers are no longer confined to small patches of water and can plan longer range kayak outings.
Step 1
Install the sailing rig. Be sure to purchase the correct rig for the model kayak you happen to own, and follow the manufacturer's installation instructions carefully. Improper installation can lead to damage to the rig or kayak, and can create unsafe sailing conditions.
Step 2
Launch the kayak and test the outriggers. Before raising the sail, it is important to ensure that the outriggers are secure and will prevent a rollover when wind pressure is applied to the sail. Rock the kayak from side to side, attempting to roll it over. If the outriggers prevent the kayak from rolling over, you're ready to lower the leeboard and raise the sail.
Step 3
Lower the leeboard and raise the sail. The leeboard raises and lowers to give the kayak the ability to sail upwind -- though not directly into the wind -- and provides augmented stability together with the outriggers. Lower the leeboard before raising the sail. When you've paddled to an open area of water, nose the kayak directly into the wind and raise the sail. If the kayak is not pointed into the wind, the wind will catch the sail as it is being raised and it will be more difficult to fully deploy the sail.
Step 4
Trim the sail. The importance of proper sail trim cannot be overstated. It is the difference between zooming across the water and just lumping along at a snail's pace. A sail's "trim" is simply the angle of the sail as it is presented to the wind. Sailing upwind, or "close to the wind" as it is known, requires the sail to be trimmed close to the centerline of the kayak. "Reaching" means the wind is hitting the kayak from the side, and the sail therefore needs to be let out to reduce the pressure on the kayak and the rig.
Step 5
Practice the different points of sail. Points of sail refer to the angle with which the wind hits the kayak. The five points of sail are close hauled -- the most extreme upwind angle --, close reach, beam reach, broad reach, and running, which means the kayak is dead downwind -- DDW -- with the wind at her back. The sails need to be trimmed differently and the kayak's sailing characteristics will change with each different point of sail, so be sure to practice enough to be comfortable with each.
Tips and Warnings
- Always wear sailing gloves when handling sails. Wet lines and sudden wind shifts can lead to rope burn and other injuries to the hands.
Things You'll Need
- Kayak with Sailing Rig
- Personal Flotation Device
- Sailing Gloves
Member Comments
rrmarlnee June 6
Check out www.WindPaddle.com for one of the most popular kayak sails on the market. The sail attaches to existing deck hardware and provides a low center of effort that provides stability. Tons of fun and weighs nothing!!
rrmarlnee June 6
Check out www.WindPaddle.com for one of the most popular kayak sails on the market. The sail attaches to existing deck hardware and provides a low center of effort that provides stability. Tons of fun and weighs nothing!!