: You have to ask them what kind of sailing they plan on . . . for
: kayaks and canoes, etc, there are a couple of options. By far
: the simplest to build and use is a "down wind only"
: rig. There are plenty of commercial downwind sails available,
: though they are easy enough to make on your own, and all you
: really need is a simple mounting bracket on your deck. You can
: steer with your weight or your paddle, and you can often sail up
: to a beam reach with them. I think kites are the newest fad . .
: . .

: A rig that lets you sail upwind as well is a lot more complex - you
: need some sort of leeway prevention (daggerboard, centerboard,
: keel, bilgeboard, or leeboard), and a dedicated rudder is useful
: as well. Your mast step and partners will need to be up to the
: stresses involved, too.

: Even then, without outriggers or some way to hike out, you could
: probably paddle upwind faster than you could sail!

: In any case, the definitive book is "Canoe Rig - the essence
: and the art," by Todd Bradshaw. Much of it is transferable
: to kayaks, but it's well worth owning no matter what!

: Good luck!
: Dave

One of the best downwind rigs is a fishing umbrella. Mine is 54" dia which provides about 16 sq ft (about 1.5 sq m), which is all you really need for a yak. The ones with the hooked handles are best as the handle simply hooks on the coaming. Deploys and retracts in seconds, literally, and takes practically no space at all folded; did I mention cheap . . .