Congratulations! You are now the owner of the most popular down-wind kayak and canoe sail available on the market. WindPaddle Sails are off-the-wind sails that will easily propel you faster than you can paddle! With no hardware to install, you simply clip your sail onto existing deck fasteners or bungies and you are ready to set sail. Remember, you are going to sail much faster and with less effort than when paddling, so pay attention to where you are! We want your sailing to be fun, safe and trouble-free. So familiarize yourself with the sail by reading this owners manual, practice folding and coiling your sail a few times before you get out on the water, and enjoy using the wind to power and move you. There are many instructional sailing and rigging videos located on our website, as well as an extensive FYI section available. Please contact us with any questions or suggestions. Company info, Technical Support & Warranty information: WindPaddle Sails are manufactured in Hood River, Oregon USA by WindPaddle Sails Inc. You can contact us by the following methods; Email us at info@windpaddle.com Phone us at +1 541 490 9112 Or write us at WindPaddle Sails Inc. 1315 C St. Hood River, OR 97031 USA All WindPaddle Sails carry a lifetime warranty. Normal wear and tear after the first year excluded. Please retain purchase information as this may be needed for authorized warranty work.
Setting up your sail The WindPaddle comes with two sail controls; the Deck Harness system for fastening to your boat, and the sheets or sail control lines. Open up your sail by slipping off the retainer loop which acts to keep the sail coiled and folded together. Be careful as the sail is coiled like a spring! Let the sail uncoil in a controlled manner! (It s been coiled and anxious to get out the sailing!) All WindPaddle sails are designed to attach in front of the paddler to the existing deck rigging on your boat. Simply clip the two hooks of the wind harness system to anything; deck bungie cords, eye-straps, perimeter deck lines are all fine attachment points. On Sit-on-top kayaks you may want to connect directly in front of the foot braces or pads. With Canoes, connect to a place on the gunnels, a seat or to the thwart. If you can t find an attachment spot or need some help, call or email us. We ve mounted sails on all types and kinds of boats. Cinch sail rigging line in tight using the wheel-loc fastener. For running downwind, you want your sail tight to the deck. When sailing off at angles or across the wind, slacken the deck harness wheel-loc so the sail can rotate into the wind and not back-wind. Here is a picture of a properly connected and cinched-down sail. (note: you can connect to D-rings on your deck pack as well.)
Folding/Coiling. Your sail coils on deck or in the boat in 3 concentric rings. If you only manage 2 rings, start over. Don t let the sail spin or twist on you. Remember, palms up and thumbs out. Grab the sail at the 10:00 and 2:00 o clock positions Roll your wrists inward, forcing the top of the sail down. Continue to roll your wrists inward bringing your thumbs together. Remember you are creating 3 concentric rings while folding. As your thumbs are now overlapped, your elbows should be sticking out as you have formed the 3 rings for a proper coil or fold. To finish, simply press the sail down onto the deck of your boat. Slip the compression line around the sail or stow under a deck bungie cord. Remember that the very top of the sail comes down in front of you and continues around, eventually pointing towards the bow of the boat when folded; a total of 270 degrees of rotation. There are folding videos available on our website.
Sailing your WindPaddle Sail The WindPaddle sail is an off-the-wind sail that can pull you along faster than you can paddle. The key to efficient sailing it to always rotate the sail into the wind. Cinched down tight to the deck is perfect for a following breeze (winds coming from directly behind you). But if you or the wind change directions and it is now coming over your right shoulder or elbow, the deck harness needs to be slackened and the sail rotated (CCW) to catch this wind. If the sail is collapsing, it means the sail isn t rotated into the wind to catch the breeze. NOTE: For your safety and enjoyment, we recommend that you become familiar with the setup and operation of your WindPaddle before taking it out on the water. The WindPaddle works best in a steady 10 or more knots of wind. Learn how to coil/fold/collapse the sail prior to going out on the water!!! The WindHarness connects the sail to your boat and can be hooked to any existing deck lines, bungie cords or hardware. In the rare event there are no fastening points, a small eye-strap can be fitted to your boat forward of the cockpit. The WindHarness should be cinched down tight for downwind sailing. For beam-reaching (sailing in winds coming from the side rather than from behind), the WindHarness should be slackened a bit, to allow the sail to pivot into the wind. HOW TO SAIL: Point your boat downwind. Grasp the WindPaddle continuous sheet. Release the WindPaddle from under its bungee or deck line by giving the sheet a quick tug. The WindPaddle sail, once it's free from the bungee, should pop open and fill with wind. Hold on to the sheet, sit back and enjoy the ride! In high wind conditions, or if at any time a gust comes up, ease the sheet out to lower the sail, which de-powers it by making it more parallel to the water, so it doesn't catch as much wind. If necessary in gusts, simply let go of the sheet altogether - the sail will flatten to the deck and instantly de-power. Use your paddle for bracing if necessary, and (if you don't have a foot-actuated rudder) as a rudder to steer your boat while you sail. TIPS: You can hold your paddle while holding the continuous sheet. Alternatively, some folks like to cut the sheet in half, and cleat each end off on either side of the boat cockpit. You may need to install cleats or eye-straps for this. (See website for these accessories) Try learning to determine the wind direction using your ears - let the wind blow onto your back, then slowly turn your head left to right and back until you feel it "equalize" over your ears. Once you find that point, you now know the wind direction, and using this method, you can understand the wind more without having to use your eyes. For videos, more tips and additional info. Go to http://www.windpaddle.com
Having fun in a packraft with a Scout sail Expedition sailing in Norway at 82 deg. N. latitude. Here is a picture of a properly connected and stowed sail.
PADDLESPORTS INDUSTRY SAFETY WARNING PADDLESPORTS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AND PHYSICALLY DEMANDING. THE USER OF PADDLESPORTS PRODUCTS SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT PARTICIPATION IN PADDLESPORTS MAY INVOLVE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY STANDARDS WHENEVER USING THIS PRODUCT. GET PADDLESPORTS INSTRUCTION SPECIFIC TO THIS TYPE OF CRAFT. OBTAIN CERTIFIED FIRST AID TRAINING AND CARRY FIRST AID AND RESCUE/SAFETY EQUIPMENT. ALWAYS WEAR A NATIONALLY APPROVED PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET WHERE APPROPRIATE. DRESS APPROPRIATELY FOR WEATHER CONDITIONS; COLD WATER AND/OR COLD WEATHER CAN RESULT IN HYPOTHERMIA. CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT PRIOR TO EACH USE FOR SIGNS OF WEAR OR FAILURE. NEVER PADDLE ALONE. DO NOT PADDLE IN FLOOD CONDITIONS. BE AWARE OF APPROPRIATE RIVER WATER LEVELS, TIDAL CHANGES, DANGEROUS CURRENTS AND WEATHER CHANGES. SCOUT UNFAMILIAR WATER; PORTAGE WHERE APPROPRIATE. DO NOT EXCEED YOUR PADDLING ABILITY; BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF. CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN PRIOR TO BEGINNING YOUR PADDLESPORTS TRAINING. YOU MUST NOT USE ALCOHOL OR MIND ALTERING DRUGS PRIOR TO USING THIS PRODUCT. FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE USE OF THIS PRODUCT. IF ADDITIONAL OUTFITTING IS REQUIRED, USE MANUFACTURER'S APPROVED MATERIALS ONLY; DO NOT IMPAIR ENTRY OR EXIT ACCESS. READ OWNER'S INFORMATION PACKET PRIOR TO USING THIS PRODUCT. THE USER OF THIS PRODUCT ACKNOWLEDGES BOTH AN UNDERSTANDING AND AN ASSUMPTION OF THE RISK INVOLVED IN PADDLESPORTS IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN OWNER'S INFORMATION PACKET, ONE MAY BE OBTAINED AT NO CHARGE BY CALLING THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PRODUCT. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT A PADDLESPORTS PRODUCT YOU OWN, PLEASE CALL THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PRODUCT IN QUESTION. And remember, have FUN out there!
Our Products: All WindPaddle products come with a full lifetime warranty. WindPaddle Scout Sail Our entry-level sail for lighter winds and novice sailors. Easily controlled, folded and stowed. 42 diameter, 14 oz. WindPaddle Adventure-47 Sail Built with a stiffer batten for better high wind sailing. Designed for the serious touring/expedition kayaker. New 47 diameter, with a flatter sail shape for best across-the-wind sailing. The true work-horse of the WindPaddle family. This sail was designed for canoes, tandems and fishing kayaks or for those who really want speed in any wind condition. 52 diameter sail. WindPaddle Cruiser Sail Sail Kit Included are the cleats, with fasteners, to secure your sailing lines (or sheets as we call them) onto. Also included are a paddle leash, whistle and extra-long sheets. WindPaddle Sun Shade 1315 The C Sun Street Shade Hood River, Oregon attaches 97031 to any kayak, canoe, USA SOT or inflatable using PHONE: 541.399.4312 the boats existing boat hardware. No E-MAIL: info@windpaddle.com drilling, gluing or WEB: www.windpaddle.com screwing required. Stows in its own 22 diameter mesh bag.