marcusc130 wrote:
Good tip Matt. I don't know how I never thought of that. I've spent a couple of afternoon's sunbathing on my Hobie and being late for work because of no wind.
I assume that there is a downside to this at some point
Actually there is a trick to "sculling" the rudders. You can get you up a good head of steam and it is not that hard on the assembly. The trick is to move the rudders only through about a third of an arc with a forceful, more "deliberate", yank on the tiller as you come
into the arc and
ease-off as you come out ot the arc. Do this with a good steady rhythm.
You can also "gunnel jump" any boat. On a Hobie stand with your weight forward of the cross bar and push up and down with your weight until the hull starts to hobby-horse up and down. Again, like sculling, you should push down more forcefully and let the boat come back up easily. The rocking hull forces water to the stern and gives you forward motion.
Challenge- in a canoe or kayak, stand near the stearn on the gunnels while hopping up and down- if you stay upright long enough, you will move along pretty good. (See the Boy Scout Canoeing Merit Badge manual for more detail)
happy sails- ( 32 degrees and snow flurries here)