sail for a dinghy

I have an 8 ft fibreglas dinghy and a 55sqft lateen rig from a sunflower snark (waterlogged styrofoam) Will this work OK. Sailed a sunfish with my uncle back in the mid 60s and a Hobie in the Bahamas over the summer. Dying to sail this thing (anything) But temp is in the high 40s don't want to find out water temp.

 

55sq.ft.-bad idea

VV, I just did a rough sketch of an 8 footer with a 55 sq. ft. lateen rig on it -- it's going to be much too much for that boat especially in 15-20 knots winds with a 160 pound person.. If you weigh 160 lb. you might be able to handle it in 10 knots but nobody can ever guarantee JUST 10 knots-don't do it this winter! It would be fun to try it in warm conditions on a boat with flotation NEAR SHORE with somebody standing by to help. Not a good wintertime idea-please don't do it this winter....

 

I weigh about 215 and love to swim.......in warm water. If i go I'll have a buddy come along in his boat.

Thanks

 

I used to put big rigs on my 14ft Caper Cat and had lots of scary and fun times, hey you wanna put the lanteen rig on 8ft dinghy go ahead and see what happens eh?

 

The sail is from a old sunflower snark 11ft long styrofoam boat. I bought a new sail etc. But when I went to sail her it slid off the back of my truck and split in two. Got the equally old but much sturdier dinghy from a friend and the sail, rudder etc. fit right on. Been researching this for a while & noticed most dinghys have about 35-40 sqft of sail while the sail I have is 55sqft.I live on a small lake 1 mile long X 1/4 mile wide so I'll never be far from shore.

 

I have a fireball. It has a rediculas amount of sail area and it's great fun. It does have a trapezze for the crew though and needs a heavy helm.

Sail Area of total of Jib 35sq.ft
Sail Area of total of Main 88sq.ft
Sail Area Spinnaker 140sq.ft
total with spinnaker 263sq.ft