AdvKayaker
Member
After 2 days of playing tour guide kayaking the Withlacoochee River here in Florida, last night a few hours before sunset I decided last minute to take the Sunfish out for my first attempt at sailing. Had a weather delay as Mother Nature decided last minute to throw in a 30 minute rain and lightning show. I had already rigged it when the storm came in so I dropped the sail and pulled her up on the beach and waited it out.
Here are my takeaways from my first time out.
1. It's a lot easier than I had expected in nearly every way. I never went much more than a half mile before making a u turn learning how to tack. Did this probably a dozen times back and forth. I think I learned pretty quick about shifting body weight when the boom goes overhead. lol
2. It's a lot more fun than I had expected. She turns on a dime. It blew me away how sensitive she is to rudder input! I'm not selling any of my kayaks anytime soon but the gal was a blast.
3. Had a small rigging issue that had me worried when I had to drop the sail pronto. Keep rigging simple. Keep all lines clear of others. Lesson learned.
4. I need to figure out a way to create some deck storage. Dry boxes, paddle etc. all need to be out of the footwell.
No pics but it happened.
Here are my takeaways from my first time out.
1. It's a lot easier than I had expected in nearly every way. I never went much more than a half mile before making a u turn learning how to tack. Did this probably a dozen times back and forth. I think I learned pretty quick about shifting body weight when the boom goes overhead. lol
2. It's a lot more fun than I had expected. She turns on a dime. It blew me away how sensitive she is to rudder input! I'm not selling any of my kayaks anytime soon but the gal was a blast.
3. Had a small rigging issue that had me worried when I had to drop the sail pronto. Keep rigging simple. Keep all lines clear of others. Lesson learned.
4. I need to figure out a way to create some deck storage. Dry boxes, paddle etc. all need to be out of the footwell.
No pics but it happened.