Yakdiver Blog

/DISCLAIMER
TO ALL SAILMAKERS AND FUTURE SAILORS
To anybody who makes this sail do so at their own risk, I will not be held responsible for any form of accident arising form the use of this product.

If you have never sailed before do your first few trips with hardly any wind so you get the feel how your kayak reacts under sail, also try to use an on shore wind so you will be blown back to the beach if things don't go to plan.
If you do capsize you must lower the sail down before trying to right your kayak back up.
Another point don't get complacent and “sail off to the sunset” you may have to paddle back if the wind is not in your favour or dies completely, it's very easy to sail quite a long way without realizing it so be careful out there.
Richard Anderson
POINTS OF SAILING

My New Sail

I made a V-sail for my kayak some time back, but was not really happy with it, and I wanted something better and then I came across the “ kayaksailor” http://www.kayaksailor.com it was very nice, but way too expensive for me and I tried to do a DIY, but that was a none starter as I would need some parts machined and the total cost would go up.
Later I found the “Flat Earth Sail” http://www.flatearthkayaksails.com and then a blog from this guy http://gnarlydognews.blogspot.com/2009/03/shop-diy-sea-kayak-sail.html now this was more up my street, I'm no seamstress, but I know how to use a sewing machine and making everything else i.e. mast, boom ect would be very easy, the only think that stopped me was how the mast foot fixed to the kayak on their web site they were using fibreglass kayaks and with a plastic kayak which is not so strong and quite flexible on the bows and I could see the whole thing getting ripped out without some form of strengthening to that area, but with the Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 the front area is not flat so a shaped plate would be needed, then I had a brain wave and the “mast base plate” was born, very simple a bit like me and after that excuse the pun, but it was plain sailing after that.
With all the measurements and photos I'm sure you could made one up or even improve on my design if you do let me know as kayak sailing to me is a learning curve and we all have to start somewhere. Email me on :- yak.diver@ntlworld.com
Richard

I've been asked “will I fit lee-boards” well I'm not trying to build a sailing boat, I have a sit-on-top kayak that is fitted out for fishing so it just give me another option to play with if I get bored or the wind in in my favour it is there to be used and for a change it is free.
My sea kayak a Point 65N Sea Cruiser will be next for the sail conversion she's built on a 3-layer polyethylene construction, and I'm not too sure if the foredeck with be strong enough so I may go with my “mast base plate” again, but it will have to be much smaller. I'm quite looking forwards to doing the sea kayak as it has a rudder and a skeg it could be a big improvement over the sit-on-top kayak.

The fabric for the sail and all the webbing straps can be bought from http://www.profabrics.co.uk/
the fabric is “CRISP PU Coated Ripstop” Cloth Width: 150cm and a weigh of 0.095 Kg which is very light and easy to sew. You can also get the sail batten from the same place, but I used wood 25mm x 4mm, but I do think fibreglass will be so much better.
The mast is made out of 16mm (5/8) thick wall alloy tube which is also used for the boom, if you have trouble obtaining it you can get it from these people http://www.metalsupermarkets.com they have a few places around the UK, you can also get it in B&Q.

A list of all the parts I used :-
Alloy tube for mast and boom 1 @ 3 m long X 16mm(5/8),make sure it is thick wall tubing
mast to boom U-Clip -1 (made out of 20mm flat alloy)
mast foot - 1
Rubber feet (small door stops) - 4
Pop rivets -10
pad eyes - 5 plastic, 1 s/s 6
webbing – 20mm @ 3m
webbing – 25mm@ 4m
Ladder Clips - 20mm 3
Ladder clips - 25mm 4
flat batten - 25mm x 4mm 1 (or buy fiberglass)
Sail cloth Rip Stop Nylon - 3M long x 1.5M wide
snap hooks -5
s/s O-rings -2 (for mast)
round balls - 2
nylon cord - 3m
D-rings - 20mm - 3
D-rings – 25mm - 5
s/s webbing clips -4
s/s screws - 15
s/s bolts nuts - 1 (to connect boom to mast)
s/s washers - 16
alloy blank inserts -2
cleats - 2
PVC bushes – 2 cut from 22mm "Speedfit" plastic water pipe B&Q sells it
s/s hexagon machine screws -2
sail retaining strap -1 (lash sail to kayak-made out of webbing)

Photo of Parts

No 1. 25mm ladder clip for adjustment for the mast base
No 2. 20mm ladder clip for for adjustment side stays
No 3. block
No 4. pad eye
No 5. cleat
No 6. 20mm D-ring
No 7. 25mm D-ring
No 8. snap hooks (shackle)
No 9. webbing clips stainless steel
No 10. round ball for the sheet lines
No 11. rivet
No 12. 25mm stainless ring
Some of these parts can be bought from H2o
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/H2o-Kayaks

Allen Flexible Universal Joint this fits to the bottom of the mast to the mast step.
This is made of stiff, but bendy rubber compound that will bend in a 90 degree angle without breaking it is a well and tried method as used on “Flat Earth Sails” in the photo the cap is in place, take the cap off and there are two holes for the screws to fit on to the mast plate more designs here http://www.sailboats.co.uk/Cat~Universal_Joints_UJs_4659.html but they all do the same job
"
Bottom of the mast

I small “clip tool” the take the cap off from the Allen flexible universal joint makes life easy if you have wet cold hands

UPDATE
After using the sail now for sometime, I feel that the mast foot needs changing as the flexible one is not up to the job in higher winds. This was first brought to my attention by Chris from Anglers Afloat and I must admit I dismissed it and put it down to abuse sorry Chris.
I now using the Rwo Tiller Universal Joint UJ as in the photo it is made of stainless steel with a plastic insert to go into the tube.
UK residents can get it here
http://www.sailboats.co.uk/Catalogue~Rwo_Tiller_Universal_Joint_UJ_Screw_Down~p_R0851~c4659.html

U-Clip and boom

Mast and boom inserts

Mast bush PVC

Bottom mast bush and showing rear stay strap

Drawing of the mast showing placement of the two PVC bushes

Bottom of mast base plate showing small rubber door stops I used 7"x7" plywood, but a chopping board would be better

Tack of sail cut out with webbing strap to re-enforce

Clew of sail also re-enforced with 3 layers of sail cloth with webbing strap and D ring

Mast cut out for front stays lines

Boom Sleeve and clew

Batten sleeve

Small block you will need one for the bows and one for the sail control line

Two small cleats will be needed like these

A few more photos

Short Video Herehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfgKOO-T7iA

And after all that there is still some fabric left to make a bag for the sail
My first V-Sail

My next kayak to modify is this one has rudder and a skeg which should be interesting to see if it makes a big difference

web site http://anglersafloat.proboards.com/index.cgi? We are a Sit-On-Top kayaking fishing forum.

Here is Chris's idea of his the base plate - Ikea thick chopping board, and foam kneeling pad underneath a lot cheaper and easier way to do it, thanks Chris.

Another sail made by Dan also from the Anglers Afloat

Another great sail made by Jim (SunnyJim) also a member of Anglers Afloat

Happy Kayak Sailing

yakdiver Blog

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My DIY Kayak Sail