How to Use an Umbrella as a Small Boat Sail

Let the wind move you along with an umbrella sail.

Umbrella sailing first became popular in 1932, according to an article in an antique issue of Modern Mechanix. Contestants would use paddles to line up their canoes. Then one canoe team member would open up a huge umbrella to use as a sail. The other team member would use the paddle as a rudder to steer the small boat. Today, umbrellas are most often used as sails by kayakers but canoers and tandem boaters also engage in umbrella sailing. Many kayakers simply hold the umbrella but you can also fix the umbrella to the front of your boat.

Things You'll Need

• Over-sized Umbrella
• Bungie Cords
• String

Instructions

1. 

   Choose an umbrella big enough to be sturdy but small enough to manage.

   Choose your umbrella. Golf umbrellas are a good choice according to the Connecticut Water Trails Association. They're usually made of fiberglass and plastic components that won't rust and their vented canopies reduce the possibility of the umbrella turning inside out in the wind.

2. 

   Avoid umbrellas with metal components as these may rust.

   Tie string from the points of your umbrella sail back to the handle to further minimize the risk of your umbrella turning inside out during a strong gust of wind.

3. 

   Hook the umbrella to a small boat for a free ride.

   Hook the umbrella handle under the deck of your small boat and use bungie cords to stabilize the umbrella.

References

• Modernmechanix.com: Racing Canoes With Large Umbrella for Sails is Popular Water Sport
• Connecticut Water Trails Association: Kayak Sailing
• PDRacer.com: Unusual Sails: Mary Poppins Spinnaker
• WindPaddle.com: History