: Check out the Tasmanian kayak sailors. I think they are at the
: cutting edge of kayak sailing. No leeboard, but rudders are
: necessary...their small sails apparently point upwind pretty
: well, although in any real wind I would think running is the
: safest option. In fact, as I understand it, the Tasmanian
: paddlers use their sails for safety...to get out of weather ASAP
: when it turns bad. Tasmania is kind of in the path of the
: roaring forties, so they need a safety valve. I heard there are
: some club sanctioned trips that require sails for safety. I
: truly don't think a SOF kayak needs any special reinforcement
: beyond what a "normal" boat would need. Kayaks are
: skinny and tender enough that there is not much torsional force
: from the sail. I think many Tasmanian sails are deck stepped
: with shrouds.

Without something to resist sidesways movement the kayak's not going to go upwind regardless of which way it's pointed. It'll just get blown downwind even if the side of the kayak is pointed that way.

Bill H.