Kaya sail selection, Falcon vs Star

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Kaya sail selection, Falcon vs Star

(12 posts) (8 voices)

Started 4 years ago by WaterScout
Latest reply from JoeWildlife

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WaterScout
Member

I like in Venice Florida and have been stalking the Everglades Challenge off and on since its inception because it cuts right through my back yard. I have finally collected all the necessary gear and if the stars alighn in 2019 I am going to make my first attempt. I have a 16’ sit-in Prijon Seayak with a rudder and a 1m “V” type downwind sail but I want something for upwind sailing.

My final 3 choices are:

1m Falcon sail to stay in Class 1 http://www.falconsails.com

2. Furling - Giant 3m (32.3sf) Star Kayak sail which would put me in class 3. http://www.yaksailing.com

3. Furling - Supernova 3.3m (37.7 sf) by Star Kayak sail Class 3

The Star sails should meet the reefing/furling rules and are almost exactly like the Hobie Mirage sail in design/ functionality.

I don’t believe that the 1.4m Falcon is legal because it is over the 12sf size and doesn’t have the ability to reef per the rules. I will need to modify my upper deck and add lee boards to accomodate either design.

Any thoughts on the these sails such as ease of use, potential speed, maximum wind before removal of use, durability, and legality of use in the EC?

Posted 4 years ago #
BustedRudder
Member

A 3m sail is huge. The websites show just a lee board which would be unmanageable without some type of outrigger for stability. There are lots of tribers who can advise on class 3. Clewless? You out there?

Class 1 is simple, no leeboards, smaller sail but without a leeboard you can't get very close to the wind. I've used a 1m flat earth for years, not sure what else is out there. Even when the wind is favorable you are never just sailing you are paddlesailing unless it's a honking crazy downwind then your bracing for survival

Consider that many ECs are a headwind event. Last year was a fluke. Some years I've left the sail lashed to the aft deck. You need to be prepared to paddle the entire distance should it be one of those years.

Whatever you choose practice lots. It takes getting used to. Especially figuring out when and how to get the rig down. With two hands needed on the paddle it can be exciting:)

Posted 4 years ago #
MicroTom
Key Master

The question comes down to, Are you a sailor who will occasionally paddle or a paddler wh will occasionally sail? Answer that question and build the best rig for your trip.

Posted 4 years ago #
KayakVagabond
Member

... or a paddler who only paddles! :)

Posted 4 years ago #
Clewless
Member

In the 2014 EC I turned my 18’ Necky into a Class 3 by adding a PAS sail forward, a Hobie Mirage sail midship, a leeboard, and Hobie Sidekick amas.

The Hobie sidekicks were great, I highly recommend them if you are going to add amas to a small kayak.

The PAS forward worked well, but I needed to be on a broad reach or running to get any worthwhile help from it.

The Hobie Mirage sail midship and leeboard allowed me to sail a beam reach, a broad reach, or downwind.

All that being said, if I use that boat again it will be with a single Falcon sail forward, and maybe the sidekicks. The Mirage sail was nice at moments, but not worth the trouble, it was just too big for the boat. When the wind was good and in the right direction, it often provided too much power, driving the bow down. In those conditions, it spent most of its time reefed in. When the wind was not in its favor its 10 foot mast provided lots of windage and drag. I did make it to Key Largo, but I think the big sail hurt as much as it helped.

I cannot imagine a 3 meter sail on a 16 ft kayak. A sail that size is better suited for a setup like the class 3 Krugers with the Boss rigs.

In 2016 and 2017 we used a 22 foot tandem with a single Falcon Sail forward. This was a nice compromise. We could use any wind that was behind us, and the rest of the time (which was most of the time) it was tied down out of the way.

I never found any combination that let me do any upwind sailing in a kayak.

Everything Bustedrudder said is true. And MicroTom’s question really is the only one you need to ask yourself. If you are a paddler by nature, put a 1 meter sail on the bow and hope you get a day or 2 of useful wind, and put the rest of your money into a nice full carbon paddle. If you really want to sail upwind, join me on the dark side and buy a Hobie Island.

Posted 4 years ago #
BustedRudder
Member

I delivered a bigmac to Bacon in his coalbarge near StAugustine and he remarked "I had no idea how much paddling was involved". That always makes me smile and it is a good indicator that a sail(s) is not a way out of paddling unless you are actually in a sailboat.

Posted 4 years ago #
WaterScout
Member

Thank you guys for the wisdom. I'm a paddler who would occasionally like to sail. I would like to try the Falcon since it seems to be the best option.

Posted 4 years ago #
Bacon
Member

Best burger I ever had BustedRudder, thank you again. I still can't believe how much I had to paddle! STUPID HEADWINDS

Posted 4 years ago #
Chekika
Member

You did a great job Bacon. Congratulations!!!

Keith

Posted 4 years ago #
Bacon
Member

Thank you Keith!

Posted 4 years ago #
BustedRudder
Member

How good a burger tastes is in direct proportion to your disgust of an EC diet. Only possible explanation for everyone (me included) dreaming of the moicrowave burgers at Flamingo. Hopefully they will be there next year!

Posted 4 years ago #
JoeWildlife
Member

I agree with everything above. If you have a kayak, you are paddling most of the time, just like BustedRudder said. With a 1M sail, you go faster and occasionally you can put down the paddle and just sail. But a kayak is not a sailboat. I find a Falcon can point into the wind a lot more than any umbrella or V sail could ever think about. They are a blast to use when the wind is right, and stow out of the way when it's not.

Patrick, the owner of Falcon Sails, is a Watertriber and he will set you up with a rig that will require very little modification to your boat. He is an avid kayak sailor and you won't find anybody more helpful! Tell him I sent you!

Joe

Posted 4 years ago #

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