Kaskazi Kayak Accessories: Sailrig

Kaskazi Kayak Accessories: Sail Rig

Components of the Kaskazi sail rig
(Click for larger image)

The Kaskazi sail rig is based on an ancient Polynesian design now called the crab's claw. This sail rig was designed to be simple and to have minimum impact on the kayak when not in use.

The picture to the left shows the sail in the rigged position. There is a line which runs from the point of the sail, through front of the frame and to the spreader. This line tensions the sail forward and prevents the spreader from folding back. There is very little strain on this so a single 4mm diameter line is used.

This line can be fitted with a quick release as shown below. This makes it quicker to collapse the sail in an emergency.

sailrig3.jpg (8476 bytes)

The 3 control lines (6mm diameter) are routed through the sheaves (pulleys). The pulleys are attached to the bow (in these pictures to the handle) and to the saddles on the front deck rigging. You can experiment with the forward or aft positions.

The cleat block can be lashed between the saddles on the deck just ahead of the cockpit as shown. It does not have to be centred; you may prefer it on one side. If we fit the sail in our factory we fit riv nuts to the deck and screw the cleat block to the deck in a central position.

The lines from the sail are routed through the line guides on the cleat block and the cleats. This makes it possible to angle the sail in any position you require. You position it horizontally, like a canopy, for a neutral position which provides good shade!

The forward pulley is fixed to the base of the mast to create a fail-safe set-up for sailing with the wind abeam as shown here.

The lower spar is set in a horizontal position and the lower sheet used to fill the sail with wind. If the lower sheet is released, the sail spills wind by rotating around the mast.