Klepper Kayak Sailing
Klepper offers 3 different kinds of sails:
- The low-positioned "Driftsail"
- The Full-Sailing Kit "S1"
- The large Full-Sailing Kit "S2"
Additional to Klepper-manufactured sails, Bokkura Expedition also offers outriggers and sailing riggs from “Kayaksegeln 3.0”, a German manufacturer of sailing systems and outriggers for folding kayaks. With the English website for Kayaksegeln 3.0 products currently under construction, please inquire via contact us, or visit www.kajaksegel.de (website in German).
Drift Sail
Klepper’s "Driftsail" for tailwinds up to close to 90° can be used on all Klepper kayaks and does usually not require an outrigger. This sail has a shorter mast, and most of the sail surface is in a very low position compared to other sails. These characteristics provide for very good stability both against lateral wind and waves even for the narrow body single kayaks Tramp and Aerius I. "Driftsail" is very easy to handle, easy to take down and the mast can be removed and stored inside the kayak while on the water even in somewhat choppy water.
"Drift Sail" is light-weight and uses a small storage size, making it a natural touring accessory to bring along, even you are loading a larger amount of luggage and don’t intend to do mainly sailing. Do not underestimate its performance: Even in very light wind its 1.7 m2 of sail is larger than usual auxiliary kayak sails, and it creates plenty of thrust to enjoy sailing both in a single or a double kayak.
Due to the high stability and simple handling we recommend this sail for all sea waters, and especially for any sailing on the open sea.
Applicable Use
- "Drift Sail" can be mounted on the following kayak models: Aerius 380, Aerius I, Aerius II
- Recommended use is for: Lakes, all kinds of Sea Waters including Open Ocean
Full-Sailing Kit "S1"
The Full-Sailing-Kit "S1" contains a tall mast, a jib sail and a main sail on a boom, and comes with two lee-boards to reduce lateral drift.
Resulting from its long leverage, the mast creates considerable tilting force once it is inclined due to lateral winds and/or waves, making it necessary to add outriggers in case of use on Aerius I on any field of water, as well as in case of use use on sea waters when mounted on Aerius II and Aerius XXL.
The combined surface of both jib and main sail is about 2.5 m2, which creates plenty of thrust even in light air. S1 can be used up to a fresh breeze if mounted on Aerius II or XXL with outriggers.
Both jib sail and main sail are relatively easy to take down, however taking down the mast while on the water is possible only under easy weather conditions and requires Aerius II or XXL with outriggers as platform, as well as sufficient experience.
Applicable Use
- Small Lakes: Aerius I equipped with outriggers
- Small Lakes: Aerius II and XXL
- Big Lakes and Coastal Sea: : Aerius II and XXL, each equipped with outriggers
Reference
The below video clip shows an example of solo-sailing double seater Aerius II with jib sail set. Relatively strong and gusty winds came from 7 to 8 o'clock, making for a good sailing speed even with jib sail alone..
Full-Sailing Kit "S2"
The Full-Sailing-Kit "S2" contains a jib sail and a main sail with boom and gaff, and comes along with two lee-boards to reduce lateral drift. The large jib and tall mast are identical to the ones of "S1", the main sail however is especially large and stretches about 5m high. The total sail surface is appr. 4.5 m2, and its design features outmost aesthetic quality.
S2 creates enormous thrust and allows sailing in very weak winds on Aerius II and XXL, up to gentle breeze (Beaufort 3, 3.3-5.5 m/s) or stable moderate breeze (Beaufort 4, 5.5-8.0 m/s) on Aerius II and XXl equipped with outriggers.
Due to its long leverage, the mast of S2 creates a considerable tilting force once it is inclined due to lateral winds and/or waves, making it necessary to add outriggers in case of use on Aerius II and Aerius XXL on the sea. The huge and high-positioned main sail of S2 can create very strong tilting forces, generally making it unsuitable for Aerius I even when equipped with outriggers.
The jib sail is easy to take down. The main sail can be reefed to about half its size, taking it down is less easy, and the lowered boom constrains paddling.
"S2" is generally suitable for weak and stable wind conditions and recommended for use on smaller lakes and the coastal sea. The relatively complex handling requires some practice and is good for use with two passengers (two or three in XXL). On the sea, either jib or main sail may be reefed or taken down completely more often than both sails being set fully.
Applicable use
- Small Lakes with Weak Winds: Aerius II and XXL
- Large Lakes and Coastal Sea Waters with Very Weak Winds: Aerius II and XXL, each equipped with outriggers
Outriggers and Sails from Kajaksegeln 3.0
“Kayaksegeln 3.0”, a German manufacturer specialized in sailing riggs and outriggers for folding kayaks. Kayaksegeln 3.0 manufactures sailing equipment that is especially sea-worthy, and supplies high-performance sailing riggs for kayak sailing races. Kayaksegeln 3.0 sailing equipment is optimized for Klepper’s Aerius II. Bokkura Expedition's website for Kayaksegeln 3.0 products is currently under construction, in the meanwhile please contact us, or visit www.kajaksegel.de (website in German) for viewing Kajaksegeln 3.0 products.