How do I fold my WindPaddle?

Got Twisted Batten Syndrome?

Can I sail up-wind with my WindPaddle?

What is "reaching"? and how do I reach with my WindPaddle?

If my boat doesn't have a rudder, how well will the boat track with the WindPaddle sail?

What windspeeds does the WindPaddle work really well in?

 

Q: How do I fold my WindPaddle?

A: Watch our Folding Videos, and follow these steps:

(Important Note! It is heartily recommended that you master folding your WindPaddle before you venture out on the water with it.)

1. Make a "thumbs down" sign with both hands.
2. Grasp the sail on the grommets at the 10:00 and the 2:00 position with thumbs pointing down and palms out.
3. Push fists slightly together while rotating the top of the sail down. The sail should now take on the classic "Pringles" potato-chip shape as you bring your thumbs together. Do not let sail hoop twist or turn.
4. Continue to bring thumbs together, letting the top of sail start to tuck down and under. Keep rotating your wrists up until the top part of the sail curls down and around, curling back up inside itself. You will notice that the left and right sides of the sail are now shaped as loops.
5. When thumbs touch, grab sail with one hand and fold the left loop of the sail down.
6. While holding the two folded loops down, fold the right loop of the sail down on top.
7. Hold all three sections together as you wrap the compression strap around the coiled WindPaddle sail.

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Q: Twisted Batten Sydrome - it happens to the best of us...

A: OK, after learning and finally getting the folding/coiling/stowing thing down pat, your sail batten is twisted! Yeah, this happens. It also can be fixed.

The batten should be a smooth circle when the sail is deployed. IF however it is indeed twisted, first work the twist out of the batten and don't worry about the sail. The best way to get the batten back to "Factory Specs" is to flatten the sail from a circle into an oval. Push down on the top and flatten out the sail and try to work the batten back this way.

Once you have the batten back, keep the flattened sail position and work the sail back into shape by twisting or rotating the sail batten pocket around until is is uniform and not twisted. When finished the logo should be on the front or outside of the sail. Great Job!

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Q: Can I sail up-wind with my WindPaddle?

A: The WindPaddle sail is a downwind sail. Although you can "reach" with your WindPaddle, you cannot sail upwind with it.

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Q: What is "reaching"? and how do I reach with my WindPaddle?

A: When your boat is traveling approximately perpendicular to the wind, this is called reaching. To reach with your WindPaddle, follow these steps:

1. Loosen the WindHarness so your WindPaddle can rotate on the boat deck.
2. Hold the sheet in both hands and ease out the leading edge of the sail. For instance, if the wind is coming from the left side, ease the left sheet and allow the sail to rotate in a Clock-wise direction. You are now on a "Port" tack and must give-way to sailors on "Starboard" tack (Kinda formal, but talking this way will make you sound in firm command of your craft and you sail. Now for best performance, "sheet" or pull in with the left line until the sail starts to luff. Your WindPaddle may deform or curl a bit, but reaching in this way will not harm it.

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Q: If my boat doesn't have a rudder, how well will the boat track with the WindPaddle sail?

A: Most modern boats track well because of good design, with or without a rudder or skeg. But a rudder will definitely help. A paddle can also be used to assist in steering or keeping the boat on its heading. (Top)

 

 

Q: What windspeeds does the WindPaddle work really well in?

A: Winds from about 5 knots to around 20 work well. At 20 knots and above, the seas or wind chop get up and require a bit more skill and courage. It is, of course, more challenging and what we call FUN. A nice sea-state site for winds and wind chop can be found HERE complete with Beaufort wind scale conversions. (Top)