Sailboats To Go » Trucker Review Canoe Sail Kit

A Trucker Reviews The SailboatsToGo Canoe Sail Kit

Dear Mr. Luckett,

My sail kit was waiting for me at home as promised. I am an over-the-road truck driver, and I only get 4 days home per month. All 4 days had 25 to 35 mph winds. I just couldn't find the courage to take my first spin in those conditions. The day I was schedules to leave had

5 to 10 mph winds with gusts to 15. I called in.

I was afraid it would be too hard to sail.

My wife, 3 daughters, wire fox terrier, spaniel, and Pomeranian loaded up the boat with a cooler full of water and sandwhiches, and the sail kit and went to Inks Lake, TX.

I should back up and mention that we setup the kit on land at home the

day before. Your directions were very clear and precise. The

hardest part was doing the initial sail setup (putting the sail on the

spars)--- but your directions made this possible in one 4 minute try.

My boat is a 1972 grumman sportboat. It is a 16 foot 1100 lbs capacity square stern wide canoe/boat. This boat was sold as a three- in-one row,

motor, sail boat in the 50s to 70s. It's original sail kit used a 75 sq ft lateen. This boat was purchased in 72 new by my grandfather. I have wanted to sail it since I was 10 years old when he gave it to me. Over the years I have just barely missed the chance to buy the original sail kit. After a while there were none to be found.... Until I found your YouTube videos.

Being that the original kit included a 75 sq ft sail-- I worried that

45 would not be enough-- boy was I wrong. Because Oklahoma sucks, we get lots of wind in Texas!! Even the light winds we had were enough to let us fly.

When we got to the lake the time it took to install the sail kit on the boat was less than the time required to herd the kids and dogs into the boat.

I can't really express the feeling of magic I had when we hoisted the sail and tugged the sheet to bring it to shape and the boat lunged forward as

if under power. Our first heading was a beam reach and when we cleared the point, the sail just pulled us away.

What a blast. The wind shifted around and we had to do several tacks to get back to out starting point, but we did it. We didn't paddle a

single stroke. I can't wait to get home and go again. Can this sail

take 20 mph gusts? How windy is too windy for the rig??

Also, we were asked several times by people if the website on our sail is where we got it. I said yes and suggested looking at your YouTube channel as well.

Thanks for a great product.. I just hope it doesn't get me fired...

Lol. I'll send you a couple pics...

Thanks,

A Texas Trucker, March 2010