Hobie sail needed.

   Anybody have  a sail kit that they don't use ?    I'd like to buy or  borrow it for a few weeks.        I need it to test out on my kayak.     I adapted a windsurfing mast and sail to test out the performance characteristics of it  mounted behind the rider.     It worked great, but I think it can do much better with the right sail.     
    I don't need ama's    just the sail and mast... Their kayak model sail kit ( smaller one ) , not the AI.

      Thanks, Jim 

That is very interesting Jim. The only downside of the rear mounted sail is not being able to see it easily. Sailors spend a lot of time staring at the sails to get the correct shape. All that said, a drop in keel/daggerboard and a easy sail control system and it would be cool. The next thing you know, guys will be building haka benches for the raptor. 

      I've only had a chance to use it twice now.    The upside is you don't have a mast in your way, or a sail blocking the view.   Second "upside",  she will point into the wind !  It's super easy to tack when the kayak  "auto points" just by bringing the boom over.
  Having sailed for nearly 30 years now, I guess I've figured out by "feel "  what the correct angle to the wind is.     Cam cleat on each side makes it easy to travel the boom over for a close reach, or release it.     Release the out haul line and the sail furls around the mast, partially furls if strong winds force you to reef.       
         The keels on the Raptor are perfect substitute for daggerboards.      The biggest problem so far, is the rudder could be a little larger.
     It works !  ( to my astonishment and relief )         
   


 

The 3rd upside is that you have a lot of hull volume in front of the mast so it shouldn't submarine as much as the AI. Do the keels have an asymmetric shape?

The 3rd upside is that you have a lot of hull volume in front of the mast so it shouldn't submarine as much as the AI. Do the keels have an asymmetric shape?

         hahaha,   That's sorta funny ,, since you won that kayak at the PIF.   Of course you only kept it for a few minutes before donating to HOW...  ( very cool thing to do BTW).          You're right about that, but for a similar reason.   The load on the mast is at the back end, so it does help to keep the nose more bouyant.       Chaeki and I  both sailed out the harbor entrance during a  strong ebb tide.  Wind and swell were hitting us head on, at the same time the tide was rapidly pushing out out.   This made some hairy moments when the Sit In submerged into a wave ( with that sail mounted on the bow) it dumped 3 or 4 gallons into the cockpit.   The SOT took a few waves over the bow, but seemed to ride over easier.           I love sailing !   Can't wait to get out again.   

How do you like that "Kayaksailor" rig ?

Always wanted to Sail gonna make a revo island an try!

   Kayaksailor is fun .   I got the larger sail.     It's super lightweight.   Only disadvantage is you must point directly into the wind to raise or lower it, otherwise it binds up in track.

       I just downloaded a video of Sunday's test sail.   Many thanks to Chaeki for his film / editing skills.

                   

I have one and am happy to lend or sell it to ya Jim! Haven't got any plans tomorrow if you want me to come by and drop it off. 

Jim:  I'm really excited for you as your raptor evolves.    I enjoyed your videos and promotions. 

   Thanks Alain !       It worked !     Had a great time testing out that sail.
       This photo was from Sunday's test run.      I actually used the Hobie plus the Kayaksailor.    The two combined was incredible, gave great control with little rudder.   We only had a 5 mph wind but still  achieved 4 mph on a downwind run.    On a upwind tack ( close hauled )  it still was close to 3 mph.
            Now it's back to the shop,  going to rig a roller furling headsail...       

   

   video added     

Wow Jim!    You have some incredible skills!    That looked really cool and like a hell of a lot of fun!