Sailing a W Kayak With an Outrigger (2007)

-Just click to play video

Older W sailing videos:

Sailing W Kayak Standing Without Outrigger Demo Movie (2005)

W Sailing Without Outrigger Demo Movie (2005)

We tested a new and improved sailing rig that's bigger and safer than the 2005 type. The new W Kayak configuration is stabler with one full-size outrigger instead of side floatation. Since it's stabler the new configuration also has a bigger load capacity.  You can sail it standing too, and the rudder is user friendly. It takes about one minutes to upload or download  the boat including the W kayak, the outrigger and the sail system.

What types of sails fit the W Kayak?
The W Kayak can be accommodated for sailing with most commercially available small-boat sailing rigs (E.G. canoe, kayak, dinghy etc.).

Is WaveWalk offering a sailing kit for sale?
We're working on it...

Can you sail the W Kayak standing?
Yes, but not with the commercially available sailing kits.  -In order to sail it standing you need a high performance sailing rig of the "Crab Claw" type, and such kits are not available commercially.
In the coming weeks WaveWalk will publish instructions on this website for making your own Crab Claw rig such as you can see on this page.

What's a Crab Claw rig?
Like the Catamaran, the Proa and the surfboard it's yet another amazing Polynesian invention.  

Is the Crab Claw rig easy to operate?
The one seen here is very easy - You can do it with one hand.

Is the Crab Claw rig safer than other rigs?
You can say it is since its mast is considerably shorter and lighter.

Can you sail the W Kayak with bigger sails than the one seen here?
Yes.  This sail is 24 sq. ft and you can sail the boat with a 36 sq. ft sail.

Is sailing standing more difficult than sailing sitting?
It depends-  If you're used to windsurfing, surfing and paddle-skiing it's extremely easy (watch demo videos).

Do you need a rudder?
Not really - You can steer with the sail and by leaning on the side, and occasionally with your paddle.

Do you need a keel or dagger board?
No.  The boat's straight and narrow hulls perform very well.

Do you need additional accessories?
Side floatation modules as seen in these photos are recommended since they add lateral stability and thus enable sailing in stronger wind.  Such modules are preferable over pontoons and outriggers since they are above waterline and don't impede the boat.  With two of these modules each 4" wide the overall width of your W1 is still just 33" and it's still easy to paddle it.
See our "W Kayak Outfitting" page.

Can you sail upwind?
You can with a Crab Claw rig but not with all other rigs.

Can you sail backward?
You can with a Crab Claw rig.

Can you carry a W Kayak outfitted for sailing on top of your car?
You can carry two W boats on top of any regular car top.   You don't even need a kayak rack.

Is a sailing rig difficult to install?
Most commercially available rigs are easy and quick to install. 
The experimental Crab Claw rig seen in these photos can be installed in less than a minute and collapsed in a few seconds.

How fast can you sail the W Kayak?
We haven't tested its sailing speed yet but catamarans are known to be faster than comparable monohulls.  See "Speed" article.

Can you use WaveWalk’s crab claw sailing rig to sail canoes and kayaks?
You could, as you can with other types of rigs, but you'd better outfit your canoe or kayak with a dagger board (small keel) to give it some directional stability, and with one or two outriggers to compensate for the lack of adequate lateral stability.