"kayak sailing and trolling" my first experience.

“kayak sailing and trolling” my first experience."

Here is the report. I put in at Remley’s just under the Ravennel bridge. The tide was ripping out the river. The wind was blowing out the river. If I had wanted to I could have been at the mouth of the river/harbor exit in minutes. As this was my first time, I tried to go across the river and not head out. With the wind and tide hauling, I ended up a bit south east anyway.

After I crossed the river I turned around. It was stressful. The river/tide was hauling full force. The kayak, with me pedalling and sailing, was barely moving. It seemed in the center, to be moving so slowly. Eventually I made headway and pulled alongside the long pier there. I continued on, and once past the heavy tide, was able to make a bit of progress heading west back towards the launch point. While in that protected bay I ran into Ddolson. I felt a lot safer having a friend nearby.

The sail did not transport me effortlessly as I had dreamed. Quite the opposite, it was difficult to manage it and fishing and safety and everything involved. The kayak sailed very slowly in winds 5-10 mph. Any much more, and it might have been dangerous. Once or twice I felt in a bit of danger as the yak tilted over, but I leaned against it and let the sail go slack, spilling the wind out of the sail.

You really should have amas for this thing. I will get them. In my opinion a yak is not a sailboat and does not do it well. I have owned a 30 & 39’ sailboats and know how to sail. Yaks are designed for rivers, lakes etc. not the open ocean.

My cam cleats I installed didn’t work, because of the position of the sail, being almost above the cam cleats vs. the imagine forwards which is the direction I installed them. They will have to be moved to work.

I didn’t catch any fish, despite trolling a yozuri along for awhile.
Darrel caught a nice flounder. If I had known where the fish were I would have caught something maybe. I need to spend more time on the water. Still my

Well, thanks for the report. I had entertained the thought of making a sail but it sounds like I may be wasting my time. I’ll stick to paddling.

Don’t let me dissuade you; I recommend you try and see how it works for you. The majority of yaks that sail seem to have unbrella rigs. They’re great for going down wind, the problem is going upwind. You may find, it works in one direction but not the other. It might have been easier for me to drop the sail and roll it up and kick/paddle my way back or around or for that mattter not bring the sail at all. But you should try it. Don’t expect miracles, and check the wind speed/direction and tide, I did even when I sailed real boats.

On some days if conditions permit, I open up the old rusty golf umbrella. However, it is for rapid transport only! I have an old tarpon 120 (2002) with no rudder. My kayak buddies laughed and said I looked like a redneck mary poppins. I don’t care, the umbrella gets me to my favorite creek on the Wando ASAP. When I am bottom fishing on hot summer days I set the umbrella in a rod holder and get some shade. I have had some great naps in the marsh with this set up. Nothing like waking up to the rod bending and the drag screaming.

I wouldn’t know any more, since I left Fl. I’ve only been skunked here. LOL

If it works, keep it. If it gets you to your favorite spot easier, lucky you. I like tarpon 12’s. I like mary poppins, I do. I even like napping. Good luck.