Oughtred MacGregor leeboard problem

[keyhavenpotterer]

Hi, I am trying to sail my 13'7" open decked MacGregor sailing canoe. I think open decked sailing versions are rare and I am after advice about using and setting the leeboard.
This board is tethered by string to a central position on the keelson and is flipped from side to side as one tacks. The canoe actually tacks quite slowly so that bit is ok, my problem is that being open decked, the angle the string makes from the central fixing to the gunnel is cutting across the top of my upper leg and is very uncomfortable.
Has anyone on the forum solved this problem already? I have tried fixing the line further forward and this seems to have made the leeboard harder to set and still cuts into my legs. Side decks would give a steeper angle I guess. I am trying to avoid a fixed string across the hull to re-route the line on safety grounds.
My sitting position is the most rearward slot for the removable backrest. Has anyone had success by sitting further back between there and the fixed crossbrace? Thanks, Brian.

[Pernicious Atavist]

Two ideas:
-Make a removable thwart that rides on the coaming that you can route the line through. It can sit above the mount point and the line can pass up through it then to the board.
-Post this question in http://canoesailingmagazine.com/index.php/RUDDER-FORUM/ and see what kind of ideas you get!

[andrewdarius]

I experienced the same. I've made a few attempts to make Iain's method work, but found it too fussy. I made a second leeboard, drilled thru the sheer, backed it up with a plywood pad, bronze bushing and plate and secure the boards using a cam lever, the same as are used on bicycle wheels. The cam lever tightens the board enough to hold the windward one up for sailing or both for beaching.


http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7ce36b3127ccec237076cb94100000016100BatGzhwzcMQ e3nww

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7ce36b3127ccec23740eff97900000016100BatGzhwzcMQ e3nww

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7ce36b3127ccec2360d55993100000016100BatGzhwzcMQ e3nww

[Pernicious Atavist]

Nice looking boat, Andrew!

[keyhavenpotterer]

Thanks Andrew. Your canoe looks lovely. I spoke to Iain about the issue and it looks as if an open version for sailing is very rare. He keeps trying to find time to build a Wee Rob but keeps having to deal with all these customers.
On my canoe I lead the mainsheet from the same anchor point so I am thinking of trying out fastening the leeboard string to the top of the mainsheet block to change the angle. The string pulls quite hard when working so this might not work.
Brian

[wtarzia]

On my outrigger canoe I set a bearing surface near the waterline, bolted the leeboard there, and captured the top of the leeboard between the gunwale bearing and a rail. Very tidy and adjutable. However, I had a deep hull (22 inches wide, 19 inches deep) which facilitated this method mechanically -- not sure if this would work on a shallow monohull canoe. Photos at wtarzia.com, click on "proa". -- Wade