 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Kayak Navigation Equipment WindPaddle |
WindPaddle FAQ's
Q: I can "sail" downwind with just the force of the wind at my back. Why use a WindPaddle sail or any other kind of sail?
A: One word. FUN and Speed. OK, that's two words, but in our minds they are the same thing, and a sail can push you along the same
course faster or with less effort. You can also "beam-reach" or sail across the wind with a WindPaddle sail.
Q: Can the WindPaddle easily mount to SOT's and Canoes too?
A: Yes! Check out these pics. (click on images for larger view)
Q: I hear there are many kinds of "sail rigs" out there for sea kayak and canoe sailing, yet you don't call the WindPaddle a
sail rig?
A: "Sail rigs" are the sum of all the parts that the other guys have that make up their sail... (Sail Rig Comparisons coming soon.) They
have the sail cloth, or sail. They have one or more masts, boomkins or stiffeners, they have the sail mounting apparatus and some have
booms, handles or other parts. The WindPadldle is one single integrated sail system that stows compactly, attaches to existing boat
hardware and launches instantly when released. "Sail System"...we like the sound of that. We like "Integrated Sail System" even better
but we'll stick with "WindPaddle" for now.
Q: So, how does this WindPaddle sail "pop up" and self-launch? Is it like, a spring or something?
A: You got it! There is a "batten" in the perimeter sleeve of the WindPaddle that maintains the sail shape.. This batten is made of
virtually unbreakable composite material, and when twisted and folded into "thirds" in the coiled/folded or stored orientation is in a
meta-stable configuration. A coiled spring if you will. The energy used to coil and stow the WindPaddle sail is recovered when launching
the sail. We're conservation-minded folks, so making use of this stored energy for launching is our way of recycling energy. According to
the law of conservation of energy (actually the First law of Thermodynamics for you science-heads), the total energy of a system
remains constant. (The roots of the saying; "You get out of life/work/relationships/COLLEGE what you put into it!") If we violated that law
we'd be in big trouble with guys like Newton, Einstein and the like.
Q; What material goes into the making of the WindPaddle?
A: The cloth of the WindPaddle is 1/2 oz. rip-stop polyester, the same material that yacht racing spinnakers use. The flexible perimeter
batter is made of a proprietary materail that will not rust, corrode nor break unless seriously abused. The window is of lightweight clear
vinyl.
Q; If my boat does not have a rudder, how well will the boat track with WindPaddle sail?
A: Most modern boats track well because of good design with or without a rudder or skeg. A paddle can be used to assist in steering or
keeping the boat on it's heading. A rudder definately will help.
Q: What windspeeds does the WindPaddle really work well in?
A: Winds from about 5 knots to around 20 work well. At 20 knots and above the seas or wind chop get up and require a bit more skill
and courage. It of course is more challenging and what we call Fun. A nice sea state site for winds and wind chop can be found HERE
complete with Beaufort wind scale conversions..
Q: Why do you talk so much about craft stability and safety. Doesn't the WindPaddle make the craft more unstable?
A: Just the act of being IN your sea kayak or canoe makes it unstable! Craft stability, and here comes the techno-talk, has to do with the
distance the center of mass of your boat is above the water AND the direction that center of mass is being forced. If you pop-up a sail on
your boat (get it? lol) the wind acting on that sail and the weight of that sail aloft are going to affect potential craft stability. If the wind is
coming from behind you, the force will be applided along the length or along the STABLE axis of your craft. If the wind comes from the
side, it acts on the sail and the craft in the direction or axis of the least stability.
OK, now for your answer: the WindPaddle converts the force of the wind and keeps the center of effort as low as possible. This means
the WindPaddle sail can use the force from the wind and convert this force to forward motion in the most stable and safest manner.
Sails or "Sailrigs" that are high in the air create a more unstable craft than when in the same wind in a WindPaddle sail.
Q: I can "sail" downwind with just the force of the wind at my back. Why use a WindPaddle sail or any other kind of sail?
A: One word. FUN and Speed. OK, that's two words, but in our minds they are the same thing, and a sail can push you along the same
course faster or with less effort. You can also "beam-reach" or sail across the wind with a WindPaddle sail.
Q: Can the WindPaddle easily mount to SOT's and Canoes too?
A: Yes! Check out these pics. (click on images for larger view)
Q: I hear there are many kinds of "sail rigs" out there for sea kayak and canoe sailing, yet you don't call the WindPaddle a
sail rig?
A: "Sail rigs" are the sum of all the parts that the other guys have that make up their sail... (Sail Rig Comparisons coming soon.) They
have the sail cloth, or sail. They have one or more masts, boomkins or stiffeners, they have the sail mounting apparatus and some have
booms, handles or other parts. The WindPadldle is one single integrated sail system that stows compactly, attaches to existing boat
hardware and launches instantly when released. "Sail System"...we like the sound of that. We like "Integrated Sail System" even better
but we'll stick with "WindPaddle" for now.
Q: So, how does this WindPaddle sail "pop up" and self-launch? Is it like, a spring or something?
A: You got it! There is a "batten" in the perimeter sleeve of the WindPaddle that maintains the sail shape.. This batten is made of
virtually unbreakable composite material, and when twisted and folded into "thirds" in the coiled/folded or stored orientation is in a
meta-stable configuration. A coiled spring if you will. The energy used to coil and stow the WindPaddle sail is recovered when launching
the sail. We're conservation-minded folks, so making use of this stored energy for launching is our way of recycling energy. According to
the law of conservation of energy (actually the First law of Thermodynamics for you science-heads), the total energy of a system
remains constant. (The roots of the saying; "You get out of life/work/relationships/COLLEGE what you put into it!") If we violated that law
we'd be in big trouble with guys like Newton, Einstein and the like.
Q; What material goes into the making of the WindPaddle?
A: The cloth of the WindPaddle is 1/2 oz. rip-stop polyester, the same material that yacht racing spinnakers use. The flexible perimeter
batter is made of a proprietary materail that will not rust, corrode nor break unless seriously abused. The window is of lightweight clear
vinyl.
Q; If my boat does not have a rudder, how well will the boat track with WindPaddle sail?
A: Most modern boats track well because of good design with or without a rudder or skeg. A paddle can be used to assist in steering or
keeping the boat on it's heading. A rudder definately will help.
Q: What windspeeds does the WindPaddle really work well in?
A: Winds from about 5 knots to around 20 work well. At 20 knots and above the seas or wind chop get up and require a bit more skill
and courage. It of course is more challenging and what we call Fun. A nice sea state site for winds and wind chop can be found HERE
complete with Beaufort wind scale conversions..
Q: Why do you talk so much about craft stability and safety. Doesn't the WindPaddle make the craft more unstable?
A: Just the act of being IN your sea kayak or canoe makes it unstable! Craft stability, and here comes the techno-talk, has to do with the
distance the center of mass of your boat is above the water AND the direction that center of mass is being forced. If you pop-up a sail on
your boat (get it? lol) the wind acting on that sail and the weight of that sail aloft are going to affect potential craft stability. If the wind is
coming from behind you, the force will be applided along the length or along the STABLE axis of your craft. If the wind comes from the
side, it acts on the sail and the craft in the direction or axis of the least stability.
OK, now for your answer: the WindPaddle converts the force of the wind and keeps the center of effort as low as possible. This means
the WindPaddle sail can use the force from the wind and convert this force to forward motion in the most stable and safest manner.
Sails or "Sailrigs" that are high in the air create a more unstable craft than when in the same wind in a WindPaddle sail.
WindPaddle Adventure Model (Jock Bradley photo)
WindPaddle Deck Mounting
 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
If you need a little extra downwind speed without the effort, the WindPaddle is a self launching,
self standing sail that stows either on-deck or below in a small coiled/folded package that is
1/8th it's original size. Combine this with the ability to be quickly launched and doused while out
on the water and you have a very easy to use sail.
At 13 oz., the WindPaddle requires no boat nor deck modifications for use.
self standing sail that stows either on-deck or below in a small coiled/folded package that is
1/8th it's original size. Combine this with the ability to be quickly launched and doused while out
on the water and you have a very easy to use sail.
At 13 oz., the WindPaddle requires no boat nor deck modifications for use.
WindPaddle Adventure
$175.00
WindPaddle Stowed Ready for Use