anyone hear of the sail performance of hybrid?

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Jun 16, 2004
203
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I like the idea of being able to peddle when no wind is around...but was wondering how much the sailing characteristics suffer from the "hybridness" of it.
 
Dec 2, 2005
30
Hunter 38 Long Island
I looked at them

The 26 Mac Gregor seemed flimsy, you could see through the gelcoat. The cockpit was small, cabin OK. Not too many people have them. I think they would be good on a lake or in mild seas, I wouldn't want to be out on it if the weather turned, however, the motor could scoot you back to harbor fairly quickly
 

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,313
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
nothing new here...

I'm not sure why you call it a hybrid. The pacific islanders have been sailing the oceans with sail rigged outrigger canoes for over five hundred years, so sailing kayaks with amas are really nothing new, they're just made out of plastic now. With the amas they should sail pretty well off the wind, even better if they have dagger boards. How can you have a kayak with no paddle... I guess they want to leave your hands free so you can control the sails, but then, if it's windy enough to sail...why paddle? Normally the feet would control the rudder while you worked the sails... like an ice boat. If I were out in the water on a kayak and the wind died I'd rather have a double ended paddle any day. I think the real reason for the pedals is because the tourists who rent these things can't be trusted to hold on to the paddle. This way the concessionaire won't have to send the cabana boy out to tow them in if the wind dies.
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Oars are a good option

they can be used to propel a boat, beat off boarding parties, can double as a lee-board if you loose you center board. Backs and arms are for rowing or paddling, feet and legs are for walking.
 
A

Aaron

They work great on the Hobie Kayaks

Have a friend with a pair of Hobie Kayaks that have the pedal system, it works great and is faster than you can paddle by hand. Great for keeping hands free while fishing, only need steering adjustment which is done by one hand.
 
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