the sailyak - modify your kayak for sailing

[masterofsurvival]

Excellent work. I would have added one of those cast iron bases with the threads and the four bolts for strength. you could use carriage bolts with the rounded side on the bottom. It also made me think how much more efficient your rig could be if you had a weighted keel/board. Think two pieces of road sign riveted on a shaft in an oval shape, and then pour molten lead into the bottom section of the hollow cavity. Not much lead, maybe 5 or 10 pounds worth. Post improvement videos when possible.

[mr1000rx]

I have just got the kayak bug. This is my next project. many thanks.

[fie1231]

have done something like that and have experimented with kayaks canoes windsurfers and dinghyes and rowing boats so this video was just wonderful and showed Im not crazy all alone lol very good -keep up the good work Michael Denmark 54

[chieftanzzz]

Nice work

[Andy182w]

Great idea.

[MrJoeyBoombotz]

I enjoyed this video a lot. Very nice work.

[oldetavern]

Great idea and a well done video! Thanks for posting this :-)

[kaz2664]

great video.thanks for some great ideas.

[tartamania1]

Hi,what are the measures of the sail and its area?

thanks

nice job

[Dave51262]

That really moves!  Great ideas!

[deltafour1212]

PRETTY DAMN SLICK!

[redangelleo]

Great job! I love it when people invent their own freedom, and make it WORK!

[MrLuckyleg]

Have you not had leaking problems with the center board?

[2ndwar]

Fantastic! easy to do and it really works...lets improve a sulution for its structural weakness at the centerboard (my sugestion)

[Cmos128]

Nice!

[HondosPlace]

THis is a very good video . Very instructive and a clever concept. This must be great for low wind and flat water trips.

I would be interested in seeing how this baby would fly in a steady breeze using a PVC pipe out-rigger setup, like some guys are making for their canoes now. Of course you would have to line the mast with some aluminum pipe to stiffen it and prevent breakage.

GREAT EFFORT !!

[nicholasnoble]

I love your design. I made a sail for my kayak too, Its a Gaff rig about 8ft tall. The only thing I'm having trouble with is reinforcing the mast. How do you keep it from flexing too much? Especially when reaching into the wind?

[RLZerr]

@nicholasnoble I inserted a wooden rake handle through the mast. Bought at Lowe's. It's still not as rigid as I'd like so if I was to do it again I'd spend some extra money and buy aluminum pipe for the mast. Ace Hardware has it.

[nicholasnoble]

@RLZerr Awesome! I actually got a aluminum mast now, its 3/4" but I found out it still bends, I found a wooden dowel that fits so I shoved it in there and that did the trick.

[RLZerr]

@nicholasnoble I inserted a wooden rake handle through the mast. Bought at Lowe's. It's still not as rigid as I'd like so if I was to do it again I'd spend some extra money and buy aluminum pipe for the mast. Ace Hardware has it.

[wildecardxxx]

i like ur ide i sail laser and mostofthe time SHE sails me.. i have a nikke i wouldn`t make holes in it it has a rudder and ill make dagger boards 1 on each side of the cockpit that pop back and can be removed the sail & mast would be the challange cus the wind blowes where she wants

[zigzagchris]

How tall is ur mast? if possible could u give dimensions on ur mast? Im building one but i dont believe my mast is big enough.

[RLZerr]

@zigzagchris The mast is about 8 feet. I made it that long so that it would fit inside my SUV.

[justinplish]

IMPRESSIVE!!! The build quality there is amazing. I plan on building something close to that (using a small storm sail from a 20 foot boat); Actually on the same kayak! How much does the boat slide when your on a reach in average winds?

[johnonorgan]

I used your idea for the rudder but i didnt weld I screwed and glued It works great with my half moon sail check it out on my patriot sail kayak

[H202]

Fantastic job.you are the modern day Inuit, builing stuff from what is washed up on the beach great video.

[amazonhippie]

I learned a lot more than just how to make a sail. Great video!

[Whitebear329]

It says the geocities link is no longer hosted? is there a new site?

[RLZerr]

@Whitebear329 Sorry, Geocities decided to bail so no details there anymore.

[RLZerr]

@Whitebear329 Sorry, no website anymore.

[travmac82]

awesome video. very crafty. great job.

[Pedroskini]

Wow, how cool is that ?! Great job, very ingenious.

[Armandinho8]

Very nice... thanks for sharing!

[marilyn18623]

RLZerr,

I loved your ideas, and instructions.. I practiced on converting my small SOT kayak...I'm still working on it, i'm having lots of fun.. I found a used windsurfer mast and sail on ebay., I'm hopeing it will work on my hobie... I've never sailed anything... Where is a good safe place to learn in Ft Walton area?? Thanks

[AdamNeisler]

Really great video. You gave great instructions, very detailed and make a cheap and great sailing kayak. Good job.

[Threadonaspool]

Yeah man fair play on the video. It must have saved you a fortune.

[RLZerr]

Yes, the centerboard has broken off a few times, but it was due to striking the bottom too fast or once, a submerged log. All but one time have been able to recover it and just made a new PVC stem. The PVC tube holding the centerboard snaps off, which is a bit of a safety feature as the polyethylene tube riser is stronger and reinforced with multiple welds and two layers of polyethylene. I always carry a life vest.

[dixieoutlaw4x4]

great job! and excellent walk thru in the video!

[superdave98008]

I think you shoulda attached the centerboard tube to the seat too, that would make it much stronger don't you think?

[RLZerr]

@superdave98008 That might be a good idea. But need adequate clearance from the junk between the legs. A removable centerboard off the side attached over the top of your lap might be a better idea but cumbersome. I guess it doesn't necessarily need to be in the center to work.

[dmitrioguz]

How well does it actually sail? The center board mount is the weakest link structurally, a good knock to the centerboard will probably break it right off or at least crack it. Wind/water pressure alone sailing across wind can alone apply wicked force. Do you have adequate floatation?

[RLZerr]

@dmitrioguz Yes, that's why the extra layers and welds around the center riser pipe that holds the centerboard stem. Lots of force when at speed, as well as on the mast. The centerboard has broken off a few times and had to be repaired. Usually from running aground. I always have a PFD.

[redneck666l]

thats amazing great job just like hobies

[RLZerr]

They kayak is 10 and a half feet long.

You can get a plastic welder like this one online. Google "ATV fender welder"

[RLZerr]

Unstable winds have caught me off guard and have stressed the boom fitting on the mast to where it broke, thus the reinforcement.

an outrigger would be nice as sitting to one side inside a kayak can get uncomfortable. I did this project as a ultra simple and cheap sailing 'yak and as long as winds are 5-10mph it works great and is a load of fun.

[spikedad11]

how long is ur kayak can i do this for a 10 foot kayak?

[mcleanbrock]

Nice mod.  I'm thinking about attempting this and it just so happens I live in Destin... maybe I'll try to get with you but I think I want some outriggers first....

[consumeless]

That's a really well done video, and a great project. I'll be using it as inspiration.

[th0mas21]

great work on the kayak, i was also impressed with balance as you mentioned without an outrigger, something i would have thought twice about! great video, thanks.

[buracodisanca]

Hey, rlzerr,

where can i get a soldering iron like yours?

[alienfromirth]

Thanks for putting this up! It inspired me to hang on to my old rotomolded CD Squall and outfit the thing for sailing. Only kayak sailing I have done was when I lashed the 2 halves of my spare paddle together in a T and tied my rain parka to it...

[harmsworth1]

Nice job, thanks for sharing.

[RLZerr]

Thanks for the great ideas!

[macrumpton]

Nice project, and really exceptional video. If you do change your rudder arrangement you might consider using a large door hinge for the pivot instead of the PVC. If you change the tiller on the rudder to a "T" and have the ropes go to the top ends of the "T" it should give you the leverage to get a sharper turn. It is quite impressive how well the boat sails!

[marilyn18623]

What would be the best way to attach the door hinge to the the back of my kayak.?

The old one I'm practicing on , is a sit on top old deminsion kayak ,and the top back area has a real sharp point! I have even thought about drilling a hole through the upper and lower hulls, and trying to weld a plastic pipe through the upper and lower hulls, so I'd have a place to mount a rudder?? all suggestions are appreciated! Thank you guys for the ideas.

[davidworld2k6]

i love it best diy vid on sail modifying