Summer 2005 Documenting First Principles of Sailing the Canoe. In order to provide you with real world knowledge of canoe sailing, the Research and Development staff at Eskimo Tom's Featherweight Wood Watercrafttm will be hitting the lakes and rivers of the Upper Midwest. Keep posted.
A Brief History of the Sailing Canoe
The 50/50 sailing canoes drawn by W.P. Stephens, J. Henry Rushton and others during the late 1800’s extensively. These were predominately solo canoes using sails for wind propulsion when available and a kayak double paddle when the wind died. In these boats the paddler sat lower, closer to the floor lowering the center of gravity. The side profile was kept purposely low so they can be used with a double kayak paddle. An additional benefit of the low profile is less surface area is presented to the wind. I proposed a contemporary design solution ideal for day use, the compromise being that this version is less suited to steep choppy conditions as it lacks the decks found on the traditional models of the late 1800’s.
Creating the Rig
Suggested/Recommended Sail Area
Ssource, The Canoe Rig, (Lines on Paper, pg 77)
Small Canoes:
10-20 feet long – 15 to 25 square feet of sail
Medium canoes (Mid Size)
12 – 15 feet long – 25 to 40 square feet
Large Canoes
15 – 18 feet long – 40 to 60 square feet for average use
Big Canoes
over 18 feet long – 60 to 75 square feet, for normal use
The Rigs
Working Lug, Balanced Lug
Sliding Gunter
Lateen
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