Sail for Outback

[ibDuke]

I'm trying to make a sail from my old windsurfer for my hobie outback. Could anyone tell me the approximate dimensions of the Hobie sail? I know it is about 20 sq ft. Should I make it larger if I also make an outrigger? Thanks
Duke

[ibDuke]

I'm trying to make a sail from my old windsurfer for my hobie outback. Could anyone tell me the approximate dimensions of the Hobie sail? I know it is about 20 sq ft. Should I make it larger if I also make an outrigger? Thanks
Duke

[punchinello]

Hey ibDuke!

Yes, the Hobie sail is about 20 sq ft! And yes, the Outback can take a windsurfing sail of up to 32 sq ft.

I know because I adapted a 3 meter (32 sq ft) windsurfing sail to my kayak buddy's Outback up here in Montreal, and it has worked great. He never uses the Hobie sail. I had first tried the larger sail on my Hobie Sport, but it was too much sail area, so we adapted it to his Outback.

However, to make the larger sail work on the Outback, you'll need to make an outrigger, add a lee board, and enlarge the rudder. Remember though, that you can't reef down with a windsurfing sail, ( it's either up or down) so you'll have to pick your sailing days and go out only in moderate winds of 5-15 mph.

A full explantation of how we adapted the 32 sq ft sail to the Outback is on my blog entries of August, 2005 and a pix of the Outback sailing rig is posted on Aug 21, 2005. I'll try to attach it to this post. Hope this helps you.

Punch

[ibDuke]

Thanks for the info Punch.
I'm going to cut the windsurf sail down so I was hoping to approximate the size of the Hobie sail. Does anyone know the dimensions of the Hobie kayak sail for the outback?

[punchinello]

Sorry ibDuke. Don't have the dimensions of that 32 sq ft windsurfing sail. I'll ask my kayak buddy to measure it, but won't have that info for awhile as he's on vacation and I'm back to New York City for a few weeks for rotator cuff surgery on my shoulder. Just do some geometry calculations and you can come up with some dimensions that will give you 32 sq ft or less. Good luck! And post some pix when you get a chance.

Punch

[ibDuke]

Punch,
I finally got the windsurfer sail modified. Seems to work well.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa221/Duke56468/Hobie%20sailing%20modifications/2007_0801FAIR0033.jpg

[Joe.A.A.]

What makes a good sail mast for these type of projects? I just happen to have a large sail that is going to waste.


Joe

[punchinello]

Hey ibDuke!
You're looking good in your Outback with the new windsurfing sail mod. Looks like the sail area is about the same as the 20 sq ft Hobie stock sail. With the outriggers you should have no trouble even in 20 mph winds. Good sailing!

Punch

[ibDuke]

Hi Joe
I think Hobie uses what looks like 1/2" ID aluminum pipe. I'm using an old aluminum 2 piece roof rake handle. Seems to be working OK

[Quirkster]

Nice rig ibDuke. How tall is your mas? I dug out one of my old windsurfer sails and it has about a 14 ft luff.

[Joe.A.A.]

Quirkster,

I've got a 14ft 60sqft sail laying on the living room floor right now. Trying to decide if I should cut it or use it as is. What are your plans????

Joe

[mcwitt]

I am new to the sport and 'am interested in the pontoon system...also the sails. Thinking about rigging system for a ride 13.5 any thoughts? thanks, joe

[Quirkster]

I don't currently have a 14 ft mast for this sail and I can't figure an easy way to cut it down due to the shape of the window. So the project is shelved for awhile.