Frequently Asked Questions about Landsailing
What exactly is a landsailer?
How difficult is landsailing?
How dangerous is it?
What physical condition is required?
Does the landsailer tip over?
How fast does it go?
Can I adjust my speed?
How do I stop or slow down a landsailer?
How do I steer a landsailer?
Where can I landsail?
How much space do I at least need?
How much wind do I need?
Can I sail directly into the wind?
Can I sail crosswind?
Can I sail downwind?
When is the best time to landsail?
Do I need a drivers licence?
Do I need insurance?
Can I sail on the highway or on a road?
What exactly is a landsailer?
A frame, three wheels, a mast and a sail. A three-wheeled, wind-powered go-kart. It is also referred to as landyacht, sailcar, dirtboat or sailkart. Landsailors simply refer to their landyachts as “boat”.
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How difficult is landsailing?
Not difficult. If you sail already it is easy to learn. People with no experience in a sailboat have been taught the basics in less than an hour. A comprehensive manual is included with the Sirocco and Sprint. It will teach you the basics of how to landsail. Start in low wind conditions and make sure to have plenty of free space around you.
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How dangerous is it?
If done responsively, not more than I.E. cross country biking. Follow the warnings included in the Windline manual and learn the proper landsailing basics. Don't sail in extremely gusty or stormy conditions and you will be fine.
The Sirocco and Sprint are capable of speeds above 40 mph on pavement. Like with any sports activity that may exceed driving speeds of 40mph, irresponsible drivers not only risk harm to themselves but also to a third party. Drive responsibly at all times! Wear proper clothes, firm shoes, a helmet, gloves etc. and a seat belt. If you sail in wet areas, water resistant clothes are recommended. With cold wind one should dress warm even in the summer. Don't go out in heavy winds (over 20 mph) unless you are an expert landsailor and have a special high wind rig! Beginners should look for 7- 10mph winds on pavement or 10-13mph on sand or grass.
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What physical condition is required?
No special condition is required, young or old is fine. Interestingly the main clientel of Windline international seems to be in their sixties. You don't need to be big or strong to landsail. The Sirocco and Sprint will accommodate people as small as 100 lbs and 5'2" and as large as 6'4" and 250 pounds. It will not hurt your back or knees and you don't need to be overly mobile.
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Does the landsailer tip over?
Yes it can. With too much wind and wrong driving technique (just like in a car) the landyacht can capsize. It comes down to wind force, sail surface and driver/passenger weight. Bigger boats like the Sirocco Twin with it's larger wheelbase remains on it's feet longer than I.E. the smaller Sprint. Wear the safety belt, drive in control and you will be okay.
It is not all that easy to intentionally capsize a Sirocco. In a year of testing at Windline nobody tipped over even when new drivers didn't know what they were doing. A professional Windline testdriver tipped it over twice on grass intentionally to see what would happen. It didn't feel good he said but he was not harmed. On pavement it probably would have caused some road rash. But the Sirocco and Sprint rig de-powers instantly, that's part of the design. It means that you can bring a wheel down momentarily by letting go the mainsheet if you feel you are angled up too high.
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How fast does it go?
As a rule of thumb, in perfect conditions you can go up to about 3 times the wind speed providing the driving surface is smooth and you are heading the right (fastest) direction relative to a steady wind and have enough room to go.
The Sirocco has been GPS verified with speeds of 45mph on pavement. We have even gone about 50mph and were able to check the speed from video footage. Plenty fast enough when your butt is 6" off the ground and more than fast enough to get hurt if you hit something. The speed record by a purpose build speed landyacht is 116mph (in 35mph wind). The speed record on ice is 143mph (in 70mph wind). Typical speeds we sail on short distances like parking lots and shorter beaches lie between 10 and 25mph. If this sounds slow to you try this: as a passenger in a car traveling @25mph open the door, look down and imagine to jump out.... better not I guess.
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Can I adjust my speed?
Adjusting the mainsheet controls the sails power and your speed. If you let the mainsheet out all the way the sail will ultimately point downwind like a flag. This is called "depowering the sail" and you will eventually come to a stop. Use the handbrake (in addition to letting go the mainsheet) to slow you down if you feel you are getting too fast or out of control.
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How do I stop or slow down a landsailer?
The primary method of braking is to let go the mainsheet (line which controls the sail) and head into the wind (if you have the space available). Use the handbrake to bring you to a complete stop. If there is no brake available you can try to push the boom (foot of the sail) out by hand in front of you to act like an air brake and help you getting to a stop quicker.
If you ever feel you are getting too fast or out of control use the handbrake (in addition to letting go the mainsheet) to slow you down.
Keep in mind that the brakes in a landsailer are not as effective as I.E. bicycle- or car-brakes. However, the Sirocco's or Sprint's handbrake will bring you to a stop relatively fast as long as you fully let go the mainsheet. You sure need to practice proper braking technique and learn to anticipate the room you need to stop. Always drive responsively!
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How do I steer a landsailer?
Typically with your feet, think of it like steering a bicycle with your feet. One manufacturer provides sailkarts with a steering wheel, but we think that this is not a good idea. You need your hands to control the sail (mainsheet) at all times! The fast racing boats sometimes have an additional handsteering, because their sails need to have a certain amount of airflow to get going. They need to be pushed by the driver (or a helper) to a certain speed. Recreational landsailers can start from a standstill unless the surface is too resistant.
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Where can I landsail?
On any hard, firm surface of reasonable size and with suitable wind conditions. We run on all kinds of surfaces - pavement, sand beaches, grass, gravel, dirt etc. The main thing is that the surface is level, hard enough and free from friction. You can sail on empty parking lots, empty ballfields or trackfields, suitable parks, abandoned airports and on beaches with packed sand best at low tide. You can run on short cut grass. On community owned places you will usually be left alone as long as you "play it safe" and use them only when they are empty. Always keep a safety distance from parked cars, pedestrians and pets and avoid excessive speed. Of course the wind conditions need to be appropriate for sailing. Beginners should look for 7- 10mph winds on pavement or 10-13mph on sand or grass.
Dry lakes like Coleman dry lake or Alvord dry lake in south-eastern Oregon or Ivanpah dry lake near Las Vegas are premier terrains. If you get ice blades you can landsail on solidly frozen lakes. Always check for local restrictions and respect private property.
If you plan to hold a race or an event you may want to get official permission from the authorities/property owners.
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How much space do I at least need?
We run the Sirocco quite comfortably in parking lots as small as 40 x 100 yards, the Sprint will do even smaller spaces. We are able to do this because the Sirocco and the Sprint is small, nimble and has a brake. Small landsailers with tight turning radius have been racing on areas no bigger than 2 tennis courts.
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How much wind do I need?
You can sail on pavement at a minimum of about 6mph wind. On packed sand a minimum of about 10mph is good, some more if the sand is not packed enough. 12-15mph is generally best for the beach. Around 20mph is about the maximum for a boat like the Sirocco with the standard sail. If you are experienced and have a special (smaller) high wind sail you may be able to handle up to 30mph winds. A handheld windmeter is a very helpful device to determine the conditions before you sail.
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Can I sail directly into the wind?
Not directly but in a 45% angle. Like on the water you can go upwind by tacking (a zig zag course into the wind) if you have enough room.
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Can I sail crosswind?
Yes absolutely. Crosswind (wind coming directly from the side) is ideal. With crosswind you can go back and fourth in “one tack”, in the same straight line between point A and B. For most Oregon beaches this would mean you need westerly winds. Some beaches (like Bastendorf beach) sails well on the prevailing north-westerly summer winds.
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Can I sail downwind?
Sure, but only at windspeed. This is when sailboats would use the Spinnaker. You have to let the sail out 90 degrees. You will go faster with the wind at least coming a little bit from one side not only from directly behind you.
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When is the best time to landsail?
This is entirely up to you. Of course you need good wind conditions. Here in Oregon you may want to avoid going out in too strong winds in the summer months and too stormy or gusty conditions during winter storms.
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Do I need a drivers licence?
No, this is not a motorized vehicle and Oregon does neither require a drivers licence nor the vehicle to be licenced in any way. However, you have to check for local regulations, restrictions, speed limits and park fees etc.
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Do I need insurance?
You do not need it by law. However, like with any sports activity that may exceed driving speeds of 40mph, there is a possibility of damage not only to yourself but also to a third party. Private liability insurance would certainly be comfortable to have. Sailing and maintaining the landsailer is your sole responsibility. Make sure your equipment is in safe working condition and drive responsibly - at all times!
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Can I sail on the highway, on a BLM road or any other road?
Don't do it! The only exception may be a private road with absolutely no traffic and of course the owners permission to do so.
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