Hobie Out Back sail ?

[mal.com]

Hey all I'm about to get a sail for my Out Back, just a couple of questions:-

Can you easily take down the sail, roll it up & stash it alongside like a paddle. I imagine it would get in the way when fishing, or surf landings.

Any other considerations to a prospective peddle sailer.

cheers

Mal de mer

[cruiser]

Hi Mal.com,you should check out pacific action sails if you want something thats easy to use and can be folded out of the way with a minimum of fuss when not needed,only had mine for a short time but very happy with performance and simplicity

cheers cruiser

[GregL]

Hi Mal,
Yes the Hobie sail is really easy to take down and it also rolls up easily and you can store it using the bungy paddle retainer.
You may want to consider the sidekick AMA kit, but I'd suggest using the sail kit first and work out if you really need them.
Hope that helps mate,
regards
Greg

[mal.com]

Cruiser & Greg, yeah thanks, I'll go with the Hobie sail, progress report shortly


cheers

Mal de mer

[Barrabundy]

I'll be interested in your first impressions, have you ever sailed before?

[windknot]

Hey Mal,

I'd be keen to find out how they perform as well. I priced a Hobie sail today and I was a little surprised to hear that they cost $450, but if they work well they could be worth it.

I asked my local Hobie dealer how the sail would go on my Revolution and he said they sail very well. I asked him if there's any stability issues with sailing in a narrow and not terribly stable platform and he said that the sail works well in consistant and light winds.

I like the idea of saving some energy and covering large distances by using wind power.

Mick

[yankatthebay]

I have used one on an Outback and a PA. Both are similar in sailing experience and it actually works quite well. But be warned...it will be come addictive and you may want to trade up for an AI sooner or later.

[mal.com]

I'll be interested in your first impressions, have you ever sailed before?

Nah apart from skiffs as a kid, and the odd bigger bare boat charter yacht. The dreaded Out Back "Blue Bits" has the stability of the average brick s'house, so I think it should be manageable.

A few years back we were camped with a couple at Palm Cove, they had Outbacks with sail kits, I was amazed how quick they got out to the island, sail/paddling. They were out past the island in about 3 tacks, while it took me about 40 minutes solid paddling.

I'm told it is addictive, but apparently still legal so I'll go for it, I think I can probably handle another couple of vices.

cheers

Mal de mer

[anton70]

How do those with the sail find the stability of the yak without the outriggers?

I suppose light winds would be fine but how strong before you feel capsizing would be likely?
5 knots - 7 knots - 10 knots?

Does anyone know if you can put outriggers on a Hobie Revo and or are there any DIY options?

Cheers Anton.

[mal.com]

Hi All

Ok heres the first trip impression, in about a 10 knot SWster, at Barlings Beach, bloody brilliant. It was not too scary, but I had to let the main sheet go a few times. Bluebits is as steady as you like, leaning out helps a bit, I need a pulley lead at the stern to run the main sheet through. You can just pull down on the clew of the sail, with your left hand, to aid trimming.

It showed up a rudder adjustment problem that I had, with the wind in the STB side it was great, however with the wind on the port side, IE going home, when the hull speed got up a bit the rudder would lift and the kayak would come around to port, loosing all way, when steering would resumed. I still sailed all the way in a stop-start fashion.

A pod of 6 dolphins came over to inspect, & give advice, a couple of them went straight under the kayak, brilliant eh.

I didn't take any fishing gear, on purpose, and I practiced rolling up the sail at sea, all pretty straight forward.

After I got back home I twitched up the pull down cable on the rudder, & its locking down a lot more tightly now.

Another trip shortly, I have a heap of questions but I'll probably work it out next few trips.

Cheers
Mal de mer

[Ranger]

I need a pulley lead at the stern to run the main sheet through.

As someone who's gonna have his first go at sailing an Outback very shortly. Can you elaborate a little on this for me, while bearing in mind I know absolutely nothing about sailing or associated terminology? I have no idea what a main sheet is, I'm just assuming it's the sail, and you're refering to the line running off the sail.

I thought it was ok to just run the line through the saddle clamp which holds the rear grab handle in place. Am I missing something?

One further question. Do I need a cam cleat to lock the sail line in place when I'm underway, or do ya just hold the thing constantly to prevent imminent disaster?

Sorry for being a numbnut when it comes to sailing!

[Barrabundy]

Keep asking Ranger.....

[mal.com]

I need a pulley lead at the stern to run the main sheet through.

As someone who's gonna have his first go at sailing an Outback very shortly. Can you elaborate a little on this for me, while bearing in mind I know absolutely nothing about sailing or associated terminology? I have no idea what a main sheet is, I'm just assuming it's the sail, and you're refering to the line running off the sail.

I thought it was ok to just run the line through the saddle clamp which holds the rear grab handle in place. Am I missing something?

One further question. Do I need a cam cleat to lock the sail line in place when I'm underway, or do ya just hold the thing constantly to prevent imminent disaster?

Sorry for being a numbnut when it comes to sailing!

Today I ran the line through the saddle clamp, I have since bought a little S/S yachtie type pulley & shackled it to the saddle clamp, to allow the line to move a little easier. On some Outbacks there is a cleat on the stb side near your knee, I was told to run the mainsheet (non yachtie talk:- sail rope thingO) through this and tie a knot in the end of the rope so you don't loose it every time you scare yourself.

Hobie recommend you keep hold of the rope, in your hand, & don't cleat it off, so that you can let it off at any time.

The Hobie sail kit comes with one page of instructions which pretty well explain all you need to get going. Just wack it up & it pick it up as you go.

did I say how brilliant it was.

Here is the web site for Hobie sailing instructions

http://www.hobiecat.com/support/pdfs/OutSailKit.pdf

cheers

Mal de mer

[Ranger]

Thanks for your help.

I recon I need to get out and just give it a go, but I recon my first time will be in sheltered waters.

I'll also invest in a pulley and a cleat next time I visit the Hobie shop.

Thanks again!

[tezarity]

I know it's a few months late but i'm glad this thread is still open.
I also am looking at getting a sail very soon and this thread has definitely been very helpful
=)