How to Rig a Kayak Sail
Increase the versatility of your kayak by rigging a sail to it letting you use the wind to assist you on a long crossing. You can also convert your kayak into a day sailer for those windy days. One side benefit is that many of the mast bases can double as platforms for rod holders. This article focuses on a simple kayak sail kit. There are more elaborate and complicated systems available that include outriggers and some that allow you to join two kayaks together with a platform, turning them into a catamaran.
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Things You'll Need
- Drill.
- Sharp (new) bits
- Marking pen (Sharpie is a good choice)
- Punch
- Hammer
- Knife
- Kayak sail kit
- Marine sealant
Instructions
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Getting Ready
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1
Read the instructions that came with the kit to become familiar with them.
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2
Set the kayak up on a table, saw horses or workbench and block it off so it will not rock while you are working on it.
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3
Position the mast base on the kayak deck along the center line about 2 feet in front of the cockpit. Mark the holes with the marking pen.
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4
Use the punch to create an indentation where you are going to drill the holes so the bit will not slip. Drill the holes all the way through the deck. Run a bead of marine sealant around each of the holes.
Attach the Mast Base
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5
Place the mast base on the deck, lining up the holes in the base with the holes in the deck.
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6
Put the screws in the holes. If the kit has a backing plate hold it on the underside of the deck so the screws go through the holes in the plate.
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7
Slip a washer onto a screw then thread a nut on this screw. Finger tighten it. Do the same for the remaining screws.
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8
Tighten all the screws starting with the two in the center, then tighten the opposite corners to apply even pressure on the base and deck.
Mounting the Cleat
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9
If the kit has a cleat for securing the sheets, position it so it will be easy to reach when you are in the kayak. Mark the location with the marking pen.
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10
Use the punch to create an indentation where you are going to drill the holes so the bit will not slip. Drill the holes all the way through the deck.
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11
Run a bead of marine sealant around each of the holes.
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12
Place the cleat on the deck lining up the holes on the cleat with the holes in the deck.
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13
Put the screws in the holes. Thread a washer and nut on the screws and tighten securely.
Assemble the Sail and Mast Assembly.
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14
The mast assembly has three parts, two upright pieces and one cross piece. The uprights may be comprised of two or three parts that have to be snapped together. Assemble the uprights if needed.
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15
Slip the shorter cross piece through the sleeve along the bottom of the sail.
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16
Snap in the mast; this is the piece that fastens the sail to the mast base.
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17
Slip the uprights through the sleeves along the sides of the sail. There is a hole at one end of the uprights that needs to be on the bottom.
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18
Attach the uprights to the cross piece by carefully removing the screw from the expanding plug. The screw goes into the hole at the bottom of the upright. Loosely thread it back into the expanding plug.
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19
Slip the plug into the cross piece so the upright is tight to the cross piece.Tighten the screw locking the pieces into position. Be sure you tighten this as tight as you can. Do the same for the other upright.
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20
Put the mast into the mast base. It simply sits in the base for easy removal when not in use.
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21
Run all of the sheets. These are the lines used to control the sail. Tie the sheets to the mast about half way up and near the top of the sail.
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1
Tips & Warnings
A backing plate will greatly increase the stability of the mast and strengthen the kayak deck by better distributing stress on the deck. If your kit does not have a backing plate for the mast base you can easily make one. Cut a plastic cutting board to the size of the mast base and drill holes to line up with the holes in the mast base. You will need to use longer screws than those provided in the kit. Use only sharp drill bits. Dull bits will wobble and enlarge the holes which could cause a leak.
Do not use a sail on a kayak in strong or gusty winds. This could cause a capsize or loss of control.
