Sailing Rob Roy

[don ruperto]

I am about to complete a 13ft Rob Roy ( Bear Mountain Boats ) and would like to sail as well as paddle it. The sailing Rob Roys in Scotland circa 1890 had main and mizzen. I was looking more for a high performance modern sail, such as installing a Laser mast and sails and a deep weighted dagger board. I have a Guide canoe rigged with twin balanced lugsails but weather is still a bit cold to get wet. Grateful for any ideas. The hull will be very light when complete I expect lees than 20 lbs.
Thanks in advance
Don Ruperto

[Todd Bradshaw]

I think you'll find that a higher aspect rig, similar to that of a Laser, will be extremely difficult to counterbalance in a canoe that is so small that you are basically unable to hike to any degree. In any kind of serious wind, it will really be a handful and you're liable to spend more time trying to luff it than sail it. The heavy weighted centerboard probably won't be heavy enough to be all that much help and to build enough structure to properly support it, you'll nearly double the weight of the boat before the board is even added. My mini-12 meter, for example, is 12'long x 31" beam with a high aspect rig somewhat smaller than a Laser's. It takes nearly 300 lbs. of lead shot in it's hollow fin keel to generate enough stability to allow the sailor to basically just sit there without needing to hike.

A single sail with a reasonably high aspect ratio is certainly possible on that boat, though 35-40 sq. ft. would probably be about all most people want to wrestle with from such a confined sailing position unless you want to also add outriggers.

[landlocked sailor]

Todd won't say it but I will. You simply must get his book, available through our sponser. Not only is is beautifully illustrated, it's well written too. I've been meaning to plug CANOE RIG since I read it last year. Thanks Todd. Rick

[Jim M]

The lug rig has numerous practical advantages and as drawn is plenty big.

[skuthorp]

Look for the yellow Macgreggor canoe yawl. 50sq. ft of sail and very tractable. Double reefs just in case. An Oughtred design. 15'7" x 2'6" with a leeboard
http://www.woodenboatfittings.com.au/goolwa/

[NormMessinger]

Or this: http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid34/pffdb1b7f78fa7711fc683ca773a4a3b4/fd35ebad.jpg
Full Sized picture (http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid34/pffdb1b7f78fa7711fc683ca773a4a3b4/fd35ebad.jpg.orig.jpg)

[ 03-26-2003, 09:23 AM: Message edited by: NormMessinger ]

[Figment]

Plenty have said what needed to be said, but I'll still add my voice to the mob.

keep the CE of the rig low. that canoe does NOT have a lot of freeboard and it's incredibly easy to over-heel and take on water. yes, I learned the hard way.