Windpaddle Sails - Any thoughts?

[grt1]

Shane, thanks for the info will have to look into this more for sure.

[Zvejys]

I got the bigger windpaddle sail a couple of weeks ago and have had only a couple of plays with it.
The first time on a relatively still afternoon I had to wait for the wind to pick up and couldnt fold it back completely.
When the breeze picked up it cruised well, easy to handle and steer.
Second time I trolled for fun into a nice breeze, turned around and the evening seabreeze almost died.
Just a slight push is time as i put the cord behind my neck to keep hands free trolling.
Still experimenting / testing but looks like an easy downwind option.

[cotso]

They look like a bucket load of fun.would love to see some video of one in use.if you used your brains(seacraft) you really could extend your fishing range.

[grt1]

I also got the larger one of the 2 just after my last post but have not had a chance to use it yet

[grt1]

Well after getting the windpaddle back in july I finally had a chance to give it a try. I was out off frankston and only went out for a quick paddle, took the squid rod with me a looking at the wind direction decided to clip the sail on just incase. Any way paddled over to olivers hill and flicked the squid jig around for a short time and then decided to head back. On the way back the wind was coming from behind so why not try the sail, with a 5-10 knt wind the kingy was avaeraging 5-5.5kms and with a couple of larger gusts it was up to 6.5km. All in all a nice easy way to get back to the beach and I will have to take it out more often.

[Zvejys]

Since the last post I have had a couple of tries at driving into the wind, sailing back home and picking my car up later.
The first was from Aspendale to Mentone in summer, with a nice south-westerly at my back I flew home.
No fish at all, maybey too fast to troll.
A big drama at Mentone beach though with the waves up to 1m and breaking.
I flipped in the breakers, lost plenty of good gear and had lifesavers and kiteboarders helping me find stuff; very embarrassing.

This week I had a great afternoon launching from Brighton and sailing one-way with the north-easterly back to Mentone.
Driving down it looked almost too windy but when I got on the water the wind died and I started trolling with paddling only.
After a while a nice breeze picked up and I was away. Felt good to relax and rest the arms and back.
Tried to get two lines in, but stuck to one only with the Windpaddle sail.
Caught a nice salmon around Hampton but nothing else until Rickets Point where the pinkies went off.
Each time I pulled one in I couldn't even get much line out before another was on.
Ended up with four nice fish to 40cm. Pity I coulnt go back into the wind for another pass.
By this stage it was a bit blowier and waves of half a metre.
My first ever fish caught sailing/trolling and most ever fish caught trolling.
A beaut fishing adventure for me.