New sail under construction

[goanywhere]

Hi all. After spending another squillion hours looking at sail making websites, and researching tried and true small boat sail designs I have just finished making a new sail. I haven't rigged it yet, so no pics at this stage.

No, it 's not the wing sail I have been harping on about. It's a Leg-o-mutton spritsail. I have made this one out of cheap blue polytarp, but I have constructed it with all the features of a more expensive sail. I will post pics when I have finished rigging her up, but in the mean time here is a link to the site I found the instructions on:

http://www.polysail.com/lego.htm

I have read quite a bit on this style of sail, and it's use for kayak and canoe sailing, and everyone who writes on it has great things to say. Being a very easy sail to construct, and being able to furl the sail on the water, it has alot to offer the kayak sailor/fisher. I have made mine a bit smaller than the 'standard' 59 sq ft. size. Mine is about 35 sq ft. so I can use the same mast as for my current sail. It has only cost me about $60 all up (of which $30 was for double sided tape). That suits my budget (and my tightarse other half. They just don't understand do they!)

I intend to get out on the water tomorrow, so pics and possibly a vid will follow.

I haven't given up on the wingsail, but I wanted to make a more conventional sail first, and get some experience at sailing before I go trying to reinvent the wheel. When I have more experience and know exactly what I want to achieve and the theory behind it I will be able to revisit designing my own with a bit more of an idea of what I am doing.

The wing sail I have been using is ok, but too small, and doesn't sail upwind as well as I thought it would. It also has 'sagged' a bit since I first built it so it's time for a new one.

Cheers.
Steve.

[kikid]

Interesting site - I look forward to pictures and thoughts once you give the sail a test run.

[SurfanFish]

Also keen to see photos and your thoughts after a test run. Cheers.

[goanywhere]

For those who have asked for some feedback re the new sail:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=3nyGVluhCfo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=IN-R1XPmV9U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=aH4eYgXUBFA

Sorry about having to follow the links to view the vids. How do you 'embed' the videos as a clickable image?

Cheers,
Steve.

[gonfission]

I will be able to revisit designing my own with a bit more of an idea of what I am doing.

Sheesh its not like that's ever stopped you before. Good stuff though I admire your enthusiasm and I understand you have recently changed your name to Steve.

Cheers John.

[goanywhere]

Sheesh its not like that's ever stopped you before. Good stuff though I admire your enthusiasm and I understand you have recently changed your name to Steve.

Hahaha.

One reason I have learned to be a DIYer is because I can never make up my mind what I want, so I can at least save money by doing it myself. (At least I got it right building the Sabalo, I luuuuurrrrrrvv her). This is the third sail I have made, and I'm sure some others are 'in the wind' (boom boom).

[GoneFishn]

So how is the new sail going. I'm looking at making another solely for sailing (no fishing gear) and this type of sail is looking good. How does it preform in both light and heavy winds.

[goanywhere]

So how is the new sail going. I'm looking at making another solely for sailing (no fishing gear) and this type of sail is looking good. How does it preform in both light and heavy winds.

Awesome. If you make it absolutely to directions (eg. sail edges cut curved etc.) you will get a sail that finds the wind very well and is efficient and easy to trim. Because it is a triangular sail the force is low down, so the heeling moment (amount of heel) is minimal for the wind force. Also, being a sprit sail with the sprit to keep the sail tight, it doesnt flap around too much if left to luff. I can fish quite happily with the sail rigged if I anchor with my back to the wind. The sail just vanes out in front of the mast and I have a free deck to fish from.

The only weakness for mine was the mast - it snapped in a strong gust one time, but only because I recycled an old mast with several holes drilled where the greatest force was, just above the mast step. I have replaced the mast and I doubt it will ever snap unless I get caught in a cyclone. I have also inserted a piece of heavy dowell in the bottom 1/2 metre of the mast so it has extra strength.

The link I have posted in this thread is for plans for a 54 sq ft. sail. I built mine 34 sq ft. I reckon I might go the full size next time I build one. I also stuffed up and misplaced an eyelet at the head of the sail, so it isn't as neat and tidy as it could be.

I've been really happy with the blue tarp though. It's light but very strong, and rolls up easily when you want to reef or pack the sail. I don't know how long it will last but this one was a bit of an experiment, so I might go a heavier poly next time.

[GoneFishn]

Thanks for the feedback. I've made a quick one just to see how I'm going to mount it. I'm currently running a sail that I got the plans from Flatearth kayak sails. It's a good compact sail but I want something that has a bit more power to it especially in lighter winds.

[indiedog]

That looks like a great sail, went through the vids and looked over the link on construction, bit lost on some of the jargon though. The addition of the boom I suspect helps performance through maintaining sail shape but does eliminate the ability to partially furl the sail in stronger winds. Could you run a halyard from the top to the bottom of the mast and connect the boom to that instead of using the "snotter"? You could then maybe partially furl the sail by just adjusting the length of the cord at the trailing corner?

How do you think the efficiency of this sail would compare to a similarly sized Hobie sail with no boom? I expect it should be more efficient? And I take it there's no hassle sailing into the wind?

Keep up the good work!

Indie.

[goanywhere]

The addition of the boom I suspect helps performance through maintaining sail shape but does eliminate the ability to partially furl the sail in stronger winds. Could you run a halyard from the top to the bottom of the mast and connect the boom to that instead of using the "snotter"? You could then maybe partially furl the sail by just adjusting the length of the cord at the trailing corner?

How do you think the efficiency of this sail would compare to a similarly sized Hobie sail with no boom? I expect it should be more efficient? And I take it there's no hassle sailing into the wind?

Keep up the good work!

Indie.

You can furl the sail by detatching it from the clew (bottom corner) and holding the boom against the mast while you furl it (a bit like the AI sail).

The boom helps alot with sailing through the wind when tacking. You can hold the boom out into the wind as you turn, which helps push the yak through the wind onto the new tack. It also greatly reduces the sail flap when luffing (left to vane in the wind untethered).

Sailing 'into' the wind is made easier if you have a centreboard or leeboards.

[indiedog]

You can furl the sail by detatching it from the clew (bottom corner) and holding the boom against the mast while you furl it (a bit like the AI sail).

Thanks Steve. My question is more about on water use, that is, can you partially furl the sail in to say have half sail for stronger winds? I'm not a sailor but have noticed the AI guys partially furl their sails in stronger winds to have a smaller sail area out.

[goanywhere]

Yes you can partially furl the sail. I might post a video on how you do that, but once you unattach the boom at the bottom corner you can roll in the sail to reduce it. You leave the front of the boom attached and raise it up against the mast, then roll it in a couple of turns and that's it. If you have outriggers you can stand up or kneel to do that. If not you just turn into the wind and shuffle forward to do it.

[goanywhere]

Just another thing. The videos don't show that the mast is held into place with a bungy loop from the foot of the sail to a hook on the deck at the bottom of the mast. To furl, you just unhook it, wind it in as described above, then re hook it to prevent the sail from unwinding. The AI's have a cord and pulley around the mast which is set into a bearing arrangement to make the operation easy. I might try to work out something simillar one day.

[BrisbaneJamie]

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