Most kayak sail rigs are for downwind sailing only and if they want weather performance, they have to add a lee board. With the MirageDrive you get forward momentum for increased aparent wind, the fins act as latteral resistance and you can pedal throug tacks and gybes. Sailing through a gybe is pretty tough on a kayak due to the inastability, but add the drive-speed you can do it easily and you certainly can't get stuck in irons! Plus we are working a a dodger for the legs (as these are sit on tops) that will take care of another concern of people that live north like yourself... warmth. You get the safety of a sit on top (easy exit and you can easily get back on, no eskimo roll required) with the warmth of a sit inside. The dodger will have a slot for the sail rig too.