Turning our Inflatable Kayak into a Sailboat

[@sitb-]

That's an awesome kit! I've always wanted to add stabilizing pontoons for a bigger sail

[@BrainRight]

We've sailed it with and without the outriggers and they do make a big difference. This kayak is extremely stable so it's unlikely to capsize even without the outriggers, but by keeping it more upright they make for a more comfortable ride. It's not very practical to sit sideways on the upwind side because of the square aluminum tubes so we generally just lean upwind.

[@mr.chronograph9022]

So cool how do you set up the sail exactly?

[@BrainRight]

The sail is a lateen rig with a spar on top and the boom on bottom, each of which is in 3 sections that stay inside sleeves sewn into the sail. So to set it up one has to unfold and push the 3 sections of each spar together. They are hinged together at the front with a bolt (which actually came loose near the end of this sail, and you can see that if you look closely). The halyard passes through a loop atop the mast and attaches to the top spar, so when the halyard is pulled it lifts the spar to the top of the mast. The boom has a sliding ring around the mast so that it is free to slide upward. There's a downhaul line running from the front of the boom to the base of the mast, so that tightening the downhaul pulls the boom down and makes the sail taught.

[@warnermorgan2352]

Hello I'm interested in buying a kit for my inflatable. Which kit did you purchase for your Sea Eagle?

[@BrainRight]

Our kit is from www.sailboatstogo.com/ and they have a range of kits available for many types of kayaks and canoes, including kits to fit specific models of Sea Eagle kayaks. Our kit is item #6022.

[@berniemovlab8323]

Great:)

[@BrainRight]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

[@MarcShare4Profit]

I make these sets myself for the fraction of the price you paid.

[@dereknolin5986]

Yeah? Do you sell them?