Downwind Board + Skate Sail = Possible?

[ericjayowsley]

I have a fantastic 14' Lopez Kaiwi Kai that I primarily use on flat water as an everyday board. (Someday soon I'll get it to the coast and put it through its paces). I don't have any fetches of water nearby that generate swell under significant wind, but I do occasionally get good wind. I've been thinking about the least obtrusive ways to add a sail to the board to mess around in the wind without compromising its paddling prowess. I want to be able to make the transformation from paddle to sail while on the water. Today I stumbled across skate sails, designed for ice skates. Please check out this video for inspiration:

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I'm thinking about making a sail that could accept the paddle as the boom to stretch it out and tension the spars. In stowage, the spars and sail could roll up and provide a slim package to lash to the deck. Minimal equipment to bring on board. Minimal set sup. Maximum fun.



There are other attempts out there to use the paddle or the body for a sail, but all seem very small and not capable of generating much excitement. This type of sail looks more performance oriented to me.

So, regarding standing up to the sail, the skaters put the sail to windward and lean into it. In essence, they cant the sail into the wind, just like a windsurfer pulling on the sail does. In both cases, windward heel provides the bite on ice or in water. So, with a free standing sail like this, would you put the sail to windward and push, or leeward and pull?

Thanks for the feedback.

[ericjayowsley]

Found this video as well. Hits a little closer to the mark, with the sail powering a skateboard.

[Wetstuff]

Eric,  Those come-n-go about the same rotation as plaid pants for the last 75yrs around Wisconsin and Minnesota.  You'd have a helluva time dealing with power spikes and a rolling board at the same time.  You'll notice the skate's sail is anchored. They make stoopid little sails for kayaks that are about as useful as 'tits on a bull', as they used to say back home. 

The one on ice works with speed skates .. black ice .. and 5kts.  There's little friction so the illusion of speed at 'not much real speed' is enhanced.  Even a teeny little iceboat can have you wet your pants. 

Make one before you buy one.

Jim

[DailyBread Surf Photo]

http://www.windskate.com/index.php