Nice video. Thanks for posting. I've been considering getting one of these too. How does it handle? How's the steering with the paddle? Does it respond well? Do the paddle leeboards keep it tracking straight?
@blindcyclops It handles very well. For the most part, it sails just like a sunfish, with a few minor exceptions. It is much lighter than any other sailboat, so it picks up speed quickly but also loses it very quickly (very little inertia). This doesn't really matter for a sailboat though. The rudder paddle works very much like a tiller on other boats. The only downside to this boat is as you suspected- small leeboard surface area. It WILL sail into the wind eventually, but requires....
@Riles246 a few more tacks than a boat with more keel. This isn't a huge issue- just today I was out and there was a wind blowing directly away from the launch area. I eventually made it back, but it took me longer than it would have in a boat with larger keel/rudder surface area. Don't let me worry you, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it - I love this boat. It folds so small but is so stable and large when inflated, there isnt really anything on the market that compares.
Nice video. Thanks for posting. I've been considering getting one of these too. How does it handle? How's the steering with the paddle? Does it respond well? Do the paddle leeboards keep it tracking straight?
blindcyclops 6 months ago
@blindcyclops It handles very well. For the most part, it sails just like a sunfish, with a few minor exceptions. It is much lighter than any other sailboat, so it picks up speed quickly but also loses it very quickly (very little inertia). This doesn't really matter for a sailboat though. The rudder paddle works very much like a tiller on other boats. The only downside to this boat is as you suspected- small leeboard surface area. It WILL sail into the wind eventually, but requires....
Riles246 6 months ago
@Riles246 a few more tacks than a boat with more keel. This isn't a huge issue- just today I was out and there was a wind blowing directly away from the launch area. I eventually made it back, but it took me longer than it would have in a boat with larger keel/rudder surface area. Don't let me worry you, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it - I love this boat. It folds so small but is so stable and large when inflated, there isnt really anything on the market that compares.
Riles246 6 months ago