Fun kayak sailing session after a weekend of striper skunking, SF Bay

This past weekend, I tried plugging for stripers with a jerkbait at Crissy Field and China Camp (both near Rat Rock Island and at the pier). Conditions seemed favorable with an incoming tide but no fish, just good views. Since the shore was unproductive, I decide to launch the kayak at China Camp the next day with the plan of trolling frozen anchovies on a bounce ball rig.

The wind was forecast to be blowing offshore from the southeast, but instead it was dead east putting me directly upwind from my launch as I paddled out towards Galinas Creek. The wind came on earlier than expected, and I soon started sailing way too fast to be trolling.

I paddle a Pakayak Bluefin 142 sea kayak modified with a Falcon sail. This is not an AI with a rudder and double amas, and is more limited in terms of sailing upwind. The only means of stability I have to counteract wind waves and heeling force is to lean upwind and have my paddle in the water. So as soon as the wind started blowing, it was difficult to focus on fishing. My rig kept snagging seaweed and I didn't have the bandwidth to keep checking my bait. I probably was trolling seaweed 95% of the time I thought I was fishing.

Knowing that, I decided to just pivot the day into a sailing session. I had to lower the sail and make some distance upwind just paddling, but had several runs going crosswind to shore, which was a lot of fun.

I finally make it back to China Camp and grill some Korean pork belly and short ribs (which I brought because I knew the possibility of skunking was high). No fish, but still a fun weekend and I'm happy with some of the footage I got. China Camp is such a peaceful, relaxed place and it feels a little less urban despite being close to the city. I always keep coming back even though I don't catch a lot of fish here.

Full video:

Thanks for the peaceful video.

Great video! 

Awesome video!

Before I got my AI, I piloted a Hobie Adventure, a 16' SOT pedal kayak (essentially, the same as a Revo 16). I used the small Hobie sail every chance I could, so I'm familiar with this type of sailing, and it is a challenge. If you could figure out how to rig a daggerboard, it would probably make a huge improvement in sailing performance, especially on a beam(ish) reach. With your current setup, I suspect that wind from the side pushes you sideways just about as much as forward, thus necessitating the upwind paddling. A daggerboard would greatly reduce that sideways slippage...

Awesome video!

Before I got my AI, I piloted a Hobie Adventure, a 16' SOT pedal kayak (essentially, the same as a Revo 16). I used the small Hobie sail every chance I could, so I'm familiar with this type of sailing, and it is a challenge. If you could figure out how to rig a daggerboard, it would probably make a huge improvement in sailing performance, especially on a beam(ish) reach. With your current setup, I suspect that wind from the side pushes you sideways just about as much as forward, thus necessitating the upwind paddling. A daggerboard would greatly reduce that sideways slippage...

Yup, beam reach is about the best I can do although the sail manufacturer claims close reach is possible without any leeboard/daggerboard/etc, and I do get pushed downwind more than I'd like. I think ballasting my bow will help somewhat with that. Daggerboard is an interesting suggestion - will definitely look into it, it would be nice to be able to expand where I'm able to go.

I am jealous of you guys with AIs. It looks so fun, and overall a less stressful experience while being able to go faster and into the wind. I just wish it were easier to transport and set up.