Kids Rig?

I've got two young kids (6-9) that are looking on sadly as I sail away. I've got a fair sized learners board, so I'm thinking about putting together a kids rig of some sort. I assume the $500 complete kids rigs are probably the way to go, but I'm too poor and think there must be a decent, cheap or even DYI alternative?

Any ideas or is it simply a case of biting the bullet buying the pre-made Ezzy type kids rigs?

PS- Anyone selling a used kids rig pm me.

Cheers,

Phil

I posted this pic up a couple of years ago. Its the top half of one of my old wave sails cut to fit top half of mast. I cut out a boom cut-out and hand stitched a bit of trim around it. Had the local car trimming bloke pop an eyelet in for out-haul and down haul. Cut down an old boom. Rig is a bit heavy but lets them get a taste of it and it works good enough for the half dozen times we have used it.

Just been out in the shed :

Take one ripped 5.3, cut the top off, fit the bottom of 400 mast, cut out a boom cut-out and - one kids rig.

Needs:
2 x eyelets stamped in (I am sure I have some but I can't find them)
Boom cut out stitched up (needle by hand should be OK)

Also needs more cut off the base. The boom is too steep and it needs 46cm extension. I cut it there to run up the window panel, but I'll cut the base higher (up to next batten pocket ?) when I find the eyelets. This should also cut out the rip.

Weighs 5.0kg on my scales, but the boom is 2.5kg. Could cut about 40cm off the boom arms and re-install the clips (easy job) to save some more weight. Boom is Aeron 26/29 so can't cut beyond the 29/26 diameter change, but 26 diameter is small-ish for small hands.

Boom at 135cm here, so could cut it down a bit more, but the sail gets pretty small. I would estimate 1.67 m2 sail.

Also could cut off the base padded protector from the old sail and re-sew by hand onto the new one for a bit of protection of legs, or maybe just buy a padded protector ?

Phil

If you want the cut up sail and the boom you can have them.

I'll still look for some eyelets and maybe do some stitching.

No mast or base, but they should fit whatever you have (so long as you have a two piece).

Collect from Coffs Harbour or I can drop them in SW Rocks next time there is a 5m swell and 30 knot South-Westerly.

PM me.





Condition as seen -
No income tax, no V.A.T.,
No money back, no guarantee,
Black or white, rich or poor,
We'll cut prices at a stroke......
God bless Hooky Street

(you could try hitting Severne up if anything goes wrong, but I doubt the warranty stands - check with CariS first).

My eldest daughter Lola is 10 and uses a Hot Sails Maui 'Micro Freak' 1.7m. It's a great rig for kids, as it it super light weight, balanced, strong, and looks the goods. It even comes on narrow carbon mast and small diameter kids boom. She loves it, and I love seeing her out on it.

Photo here shows the rig being used on my Starboard 'Big Easy' SUP. The board is far too big for her, so it's really only straight line sailing at the moment, but I have a Futura 93 coming, which might work well for her (and me!).

I can highly recommend the Hot Sails Maui Micro Freak!

My 4-year-old just windsurfed for the first time 2 days ago using an old canvas sail and rig I made:

I cut a triangular section out around the window on the old canvas sail and then just gaffer-taped the edges. I've got an eyelet tool that I used for outhaul and downhaul and I used an old length of about 15mm diam aluminium tube for the mast, two lengths of PVC conduit for the sides of the boom, 90deg conduit joiner cable ties and an old boom end for each end of the boom and viola, an extremely cheap (all old bits lying in the shed) and light kiddie rig.

The small diameter aluminium tube mast slid straight inside an old mast foot/universal and is secured with a simple bolt (and a bit more gaffer tape).

Not the most aerodynamic, durable or professional rig, but it is good enough for her to sail for 50m at a time all the way up and down the beach at Safety Bay. Next time I'll put on a bit more downhaul.

(Please excuse the proud father's exclamations of surprise in the vid)

Hey Phil, I've got a 400 or 430(?) SDM top if useful to you, also have an old beat up Ezzy 5.8(?) you can have too and hack up. I have also some really primitive booms which might have too large a diameter grip for kids though, but if you need 'em they're yours.

We have tried a few rigs out over the years with our daughter,

The most success we have had is with the Ezzy Kids Rig, simply because of how light it is.



This rig comes with everything, 2.0 2.5 sails, as well as mast and base and boom, as well as a cool bag. Super easy to rig. great in light wind and maybe a 12 knot gusty day as well. Do not use in waves, we broke a mast one day in the shore break, it is only aluminium, so is fragile.

Phoebe has also sailed Hotsails Maui sails (microfreak and super freak), these are great sails, especially when they get into the 2.5, 3.0 sizes. The micro freaks are colourful, fun and also come with everything included. These sails are super strong and can take a pounding.



Phoebe has now graduated to a Severne S1. Ben makes some great smaller sails, which are the same construction I believe as the adult S1's. We were helped out with a boom and a mast, as these are harder to source. Phoebe is loving this sail, and is now looking at the harness (with some reservation as she is scared of catapulting) as she is planning around most days there is wind,

We also grabbed a second hand board, a 115 young gun, soft deck and good placed foot straps, this board is great to get on the plane quickly and is very comfortable, can also drift around when conditions are light, I reckon I could sail on it as well in the right conditions.
Phoebe also uses a starby SUP when its light and just wants to cruise around,





Phil, keep an eye out for the kids rigs, coz they do come up from time to time, from memory the ezzy kids rig was $380?

The NP Fly kids rigs are pretty cool too

Just picked up one of these so hope it works ok for the littlies.
Cheers
Marty