DIY Kayak Sails

A kayak sail provides additional speed when kayaking in a steady wind. The sail is set out on the kayak and rigged to the boat so the kayaker can paddle along with the sail. There are ways to build your own kayak sail using common materials and the results offer you the ability to go farther, faster.

  1. Materials to Use

    • A kayak sail is made of a few basic parts: the rigging, sail cloth and mast. Simple sails may include only one sail mast, while more complex models contain a mast and boom. Sail fabric is used to create the sail itself and this is found at a boating supply store. Alternatives for sail material include nylon and even clear plastic. The material must be tear-proof and rugged as well as wind-proof. Masts are made from a variety of objects, including aluminum kayak poles, aluminum pipes and fiberglass poles. Rigging is crafted from nylon or natural fiber rope, eyelets, brackets and hooks.

    Designs

    • When designing your sail keep your boat size in mind. A sail that is too large can cause your kayak to tip over. A strong gust of wind can very easily upset a kayak, especially one without a rudder. Stability is the main concern and speed is a close second. A small sail that is three to five feet high and about four feet wide is ideal for most kayaks; any larger and you risk capsizing. The shape is normally a simple triangle or square.

    Assembly

    • One way to assemble the kayak sail is to first cut the mast to length, about two feet longer than the sail. Then lay out the sail and attach your rigging to the ends. Secure this to the mast and then install an eyelet in the corner of the sail. Thread a rigging rope through the eyelet. This will attach to the kayak to hold the sail in place. Another option is to create a mast and boom assembly by attaching a ringlet to the boom and sliding the open end over the mast. The sail is then rigged to both the mast and boom. More complicated, this type of sail is only used on larger kayaks.