Hi, I know this is a very old post. But I am trying to do a very similar thing based on Stobbo’s suggestion here. Could you explain why not attach the jib to the forestry with hanks? Also, what exactly is a flying jib. As you can see I am a novice on sailing concepts and terms. I just successfully rigged an inflatable that does well in string wind. But moves really slow at light wind. Need more sail surface.
Also, any pictures if you have would be of real help.
Thanks,
~ Subir Biswas
stobbo wrote:
I have posted several times on this subject matter so worth doing a search on this forum... my response below includes some nautical/sailing terms so if you are not familiar with these you will need to look them up
First tip: If you haven't already used the Hobie sail on a/your kayak I suggest you do so first so that you can appreciate what it can/can't do. You are only going to sail your kayak in light winds - there isn't enough ballast in the boat to support a lot of canvas/strong winds. It may be that the standard sail will be just fine for typical conditions in your area. You may wish to experiment with the standard sail before worrying about adding more canvas. No boat will sail well in near calm conditions but the standard sail does work well in conditions where there is some breeze but not lots of whitecaps on the sea. Adding extra sail area is only viable when there is only a really light & consistent breeze.
Tip 2: if you add more canvas to the stock mast without supporting the mast with stays you will not have a particularly good sailing experience - the mast will bend like a noodle, the sail shape will deform until it is like a potato sack not a foil, & depending upon wind-strength, point of sail, ballast on board and sailor's determination it would be quite possible to deform the mast or even break it. So if you want to add more sail to the standard mast you need stays.
Tip 3: lots of people ask about using the AI sail on the kayak - this will not work (I have one) it is far too heavy for the kayak on its own so don't go there.
Tip 4: The easiest way to add more sail to the standard sail kit is to stay the mast (2 side stays and one forestay) and set a 'flying' jib (as opposed to a hank on jib). You will lose the roller furling capability of the mainsail (though I believe someone has managed to get round this issue) but you will be able to ~ double the sail area and you can quickly and easily drop the jib in extremis. My jib is from a topper sailboat I believe - it is a bit heavier material than the Hobie main but works very very well in the right conditions.
Tip 5: if you ~ double the sail area you will ~ halve the maximum wind speed you can comfortably sail in.
Tip 6: if you stay your mast & set a jib you will end up with an awful lot more complexity - it isn't hard to do, nor is it particularly expensive but you will have a lot of string in your cockpit and a whole lot more to think about, so you need to be well planned, methodical and conservative in your sailing behaviour... but your sailing will become a whole lot more challenging and interesting and you will transform the very-light-wind sailing performance of your boat - plus your boat will feel like a proper yacht, not like a kayak with a sail on a broomstick.
If you want more detail about my set-up PM me - I'd be happy to share ideas & photos if I can dig them out. It is a while since I have sailed in this way because I had a hull replaced and did not reapply the required modifications (minor) to the new hull when I got it. But I have been thinking about setting it up again & will happily share info on the components (running backstays/doubled forestay, jib cleats, downhaul & downhaul cleats, circular jib sheet etc.)
I should also mention that I have an Adventure with the optional daggerboard. IMHO the daggerboard is essential for a bit of extra stability and upwind bite - particularly when sailing with main and jib. I am not 100% certain that you will be able to get the full benefit, particularly upwind, from additional sail area on a boat which doesn't have a daggerboard.
Hope this helps.