How to sail 'through the wind' in a kayak

[goanywhere]

I have read many times how people complain that they find it difficult to sail through the wind when switching from one tack to the other when sailing upwind, especially when you don't have a jib sail to assist. I had the same problem, and so I just paddled through the wind to assist. But this means a bit more work unclipping the paddle, making a few strokes and then stowing it again.

But after reading some sailing tips online I learned a great technique that makes it easy and quick every time.

When you are making your tack, first try to get as much forward momentum as possible, even if it means reaching a little wider than you would like to initially. Then when you do tack, don't overdo the rudder, going full rudder to try to make a quick tack can slow you down because the rudder in full 'lock' also acts as a brake.

Then when you do tack, if you find you can't sail through the wind, wait until your sail 'luffs' (flaps around in the wind), then if you can manually take hold of the leech of the sail (the bottom corner closest to you), push it into the wind on the winward side of where you want to tack to force the sail to catch the wind. You will find that when you do, the wind will pull you around onto the tack you want, and you will begin to make headway, then you can trim the sail for the heading you want.

Works for me every time, but it's easiest with a sail that has a boom you can reach.

[kayakone]

Goanywhere

Sounds like advice worth a go on the AI. Will give it a go and see if it works on the trimaran hull (of course we can peddle it through the eye of the wind).

Trevor

[dargib]

I have an Oasis with outriggers and as it is a little slow in a Tack and I don't like too much peddling when I sail, I find Jibbing quite effective (as there is no Boom to clout you in the head) and no need to peddle at all. As you Jibe you pick up speed and as you cross the wind it whips the sail across and sling shots you. I find the time taken in the Jibe is just as quick as peddling your Tack and less effort.

[kayakone]

Another method with an AI that I have had a good success rate lately is to veer off to a 90 degree reach to pick up speed (resultant loss of upwind progress....momentarily). With the gained momentum start applying rudder to turn up into the wind, BUT NOT FULL RUDDER as you will stall the yak from rudder drag alone. Be ready on the peddles if it doesn't go right through the wind to the new tack.

Actually I think Mingle, or someone, recently recommended manually holding the sail out on the side of the new tack to assist it to go about??

Trevor

Mal Gray, are you on deck?