The first generation of modern paddle sailors were rather intrepid types with the urge to take advantage of the wind on big waves and long crossings on the Tasman Sea. Here's an ancient YouTube video from the late 1990s. These Aussies still have a stepped mast (through the deck) just in front of the cockpit and regular tent or tarp cloth as a sail. A sewn-in batten is already there, just like with the current Flat Earth sails. This batten keeps the sail at the top leach pointing up, creating sufficient surface while the sail remains low, which is good to prevent too much heeling.
The disadvantage of these first generation sails is that they were probably less able to sail upwind. It was Mick McRob who perfected his mates' sails into today's Flat Earth models: slightly smaller (0.8 square metres), better cut to get close upwind and the mast far forward on a pivoting baseplate, out of the way of all paddle movements and yet controled from the cockpit with an uphaul line in case of an emergency. It can be lowered within a second an stowed under a bungee. Nowadays a good kayak sail in Australia is often mandatory during large crossings, as are all other safety equipment.
I apologize for the over-the-top music of Mendelssohn in the background.
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