Sailing Rigs for Tasmanian Sea Kayaks

Tasmanian sails for sea kayaks.

Why do many Tasmanian sea kayakers use sails?
Tasmania is in the path of the "roaring 40's". Historically this resulted in many sailing ships being wary of approaching the rugged west coast of Tasmania. They couldn't determine latitude exactly and failing to get a "fix" after days of storms, tried to avoid the treacherous coastline. Many wrecks testify to the terror of ships being blown before a storm and piling up on the rocky west coast or the islands in Bass Strait.
The most horrific example of this problem occured in 1845. The 800 ton Cataraqui, sailing from Liverpool to Melbourne with 369 emigrants, foundered on the rocky west coast of King Island. At 4.30am, on Monday 4th August, she struck without warning. Only nine of the 423 people on board survived the ordeal.
Tasmania is still at the mercy of the westerlies, but sea canoeists have learned to respect and make good use of these winds. This information on sails has been collated from a number of members of the Maatsuyker Canoe Club who regularly make extended trips in windy conditions. The ideas and designs may make a good starting point for others interested in developing sails for their own conditions and capabilities.


Matthews' new spinnaker	Laurie and Mick, Banks Strait	Grant, Freycinet Peninsula.
Click on each image for larger picture.


Grants' North Sea Tourer sail. Not for the inexperienced paddler. Fast but "tippy".	Lauries' design. Two of these on the double and Sea Leopard really make things fly.

Jeff's second design. One of these on a Greenlander is hard to beat.	This is the deck layout for most sea kayaks. Some have an extra center cleat.

My new front sail and rear storm sail. 2007

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All Images Copyright Jeff Jennings

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