Folbot sailing rig

[sabarob]

I have just come back from a ten day trip to St John in the Virgin Islands and would like to say how much I enjoyed the Folbot sailing rig and how well it worked,I dont know why anyone would want to use any other sailing rig on the Folbot,it is simple to set up reefs easy under way and packs into a small package,it is well balanced under sail and as long as you reef once you start to feel weather helm it sails well up to about 20 knots,you can get betterupwind performance if you use your paddle as an extra cebterboard on the leeward side and get your crew member to hike out,I wouldnt do this in a rough sea though as the mast bends a lot and so does the daggerboard,which is what it is meant to do to relieve stresses.

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Here you can see the single blade paddle option made up with the tee handle,we found the seats too low so cut up pool noodles and tied them together and put them under the seats,we take the pool noodles apart and pack them around the frames to protect the frames the skin and the bag from damage while traveling..

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I will add some more of my findings later and post a trip report with more pics.....

Rob

[sabarob]

Here are some pics of sailing using the paddle as a dagger board from the rear seat with the outrigger daggerboard,I have a lendle 4 piece paddle with a tee handle so can use a single blade paddle while sailing and double blade while paddling..
here is a pic of my wife hiking out,it makes a big difference....

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[sabarob]

If you use a single blade paddle you can paddle with the mast step in position.The mast and outrigger tubes stow nicely on the fore deck under the bungy cords.......

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After a stop on the beach the sailing rig is ready to go......

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The sail reefs nicely and is easy to do while sailing.......

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I use a clew downhaul on the boom for better sail shape and tie the gooseneck to the mast so that when reefed the mast can not rotate and let out the reef,that way you are not relying on the mast partner clamps to hold the mast from rotating..

[sabarob]

The way the folbot rig is situated in the boat allows you to reach the end of the boom easily, so in gusty weather you can hold the end of the boom instead of the mainsheet and trim the mainsail quickly in the gusts, letting off the boom to get more twist in the gusts and pulling it down in the lulls.

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I fitted pullies on the steering lines out to the frames to improve the angle of the steering lines ,this way they dont rub on your feet and legs .I am going to get spectra or kevlar lines as the stamdard lines stretch a lot.

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I thread the mainsheet from the steering post up to the pullies on the boom then back down around the steering post frame,if the wind gets strong you can take a turn around the frame to make holding the mainsheet easier.

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I would highly recomend using single blade paddles while sailing as you can use them to paddle the boat around when you tack for a fast smooth tack every time ,you can also use them to paddle sail,paddling when the wind eases or when you are beating you can sail much closer to the wind if you paddle as well much like motor sailing in a cruising boat.

[sabarob]

I really think the folbot rig is very good all around cruising rig and for the price unbeatable, there are more high tech systems out there but the boats speed is limited by the drag of the outriggers somewhat so they are not going to push the kayak much faster only maybe closer to the wind.If you want to go closer to the wind you can paddle as well and go as close to the wind as you want !!You can also put your paddle in on the leeward side as an extra daggerboard and this takes a lot of wieght off the rudder.As long as you reef when you feel the rudder getting heavy you can keep the boat balanced.
Some things worth noting are that the daggerboard does bend quite a lot and also the outrigger arms but again reef early and keep everything under control they are bending for a reason you are pushing the boat too hard.The plastic under the mast bends a lot that concerns me a bit I think it needs something thicker under the mast so I think I will make a mast step for under the mast.I will ask folbot about this.Here in the Caribbean we get a good steady wind most days so I think the Folbot rig is plenty big enough,if I was going some where else I would take a small spinaker for downwind.

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Happy sailing.
Rob