Bufflehead in WB SB publication

[retrowood]

I recently picked up the annual WB publication on Small boats and in this issue Hugh Horton's "Bufflehead" Sailing canoe is a great looking design to say the least. I'm looking for a sailing canoe design to build in Skin-on-frame construction and wondered what you guys think of applying this technique to Hugh's design or something close? I've a cache of very old growth Sitka Spruce for the project and feel something built along somewhat "Green" lines would be interesting.

Retrowood

[john l]

i like the idea of a skin on frame bufflehead. the thought went thru my mind too. i first became aware of bufflehead in a small foto in woodenboat mag about a year or so ago. i've seen some more of it on http://canoesailingmagazine.com/
hugh horton is a pretty knwledgeable and experienced guy. i've spoken to him about the bufflehead. you should try to talk to him about it. bufflehead is on my list, but i'm having trouble finishing my penguin. should do this over the winter and then i'll get back to my bufflehead planning. i think hugh might tell you that the forefoot shape might not be achieveable in a skin/frame rendition.

[retrowood]

John,
Thanks for the info, Will check into this.

Retrowood

[keyhavenpotterer]

For anyone who has not seen Bufflehead

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jy-SqOP9G9I/RszVvL5oxPI/AAAAAAAAAVc/6-qDmXLobi4/s720/IMG_4352.JPG

going quite quickly here
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_jy-SqOP9G9I/Rsr9I75oxGI/AAAAAAAAASk/p3PnnBQDpF4/s640/Lower%20Saranac%20Saturday%2001.jpg


and a full series of pictures here

http://picasaweb.google.com/EclecticTraveler/BuffleheadSailingLowerSaranacLake#

Brian

[Pernicious Atavist]

There are also a number of SoF kayak models that could be modified for sailing, too.

http://canoesailingmagazine.com/index.php/Issue-2/Hugh-Horton-and-Bufflehead.html too.

[retrowood]

Certainly more fuel for the fire..........pic #14 is great!

Thanks guys,

Retrowood

[Pernicious Atavist]

Woody--did Hugh contact you yet? I let him know you were inquiring....

[johngsandusky]

I would be cautious about modifying a sailing canoe to skin on frame. Does it have sufficient strength to withstand the leverage applied by the mast leaning one way, you leaning the other? I own a Tom Hill ultralight canoe (undecked). A prior owner rigged it to sail with a BSD kit. While sailing in a fresh breeze, she split a lap. Without frames, the hull wasn't strong enough to sail. I continued to sail her with a shorter rig (less leverage) in lighter breezes. But I bought another light daysailor, now I just paddle the canoe.

[retrowood]

I would be cautious about modifying a sailing canoe to skin on frame. Does it have sufficient strength to withstand the leverage applied by the mast leaning one way, you leaning the other? I own a Tom Hill ultralight canoe (undecked). A prior owner rigged it to sail with a BSD kit. While sailing in a fresh breeze, she split a lap. Without frames, the hull wasn't strong enough to sail. I continued to sail her with a shorter rig (less leverage) in lighter breezes. But I bought another light daysailor, now I just paddle the canoe.

The Skin on Frame design I'm hoping to build would have to be built clean sheet with the stress of sailing kept in mind. I've seen larger sailing dory style boats built in the SOF method so it should be feasable. I'm thinking the inherrent flexibility of a SOF design might actually be a benefit.....Time to do some reading.

Retrowood

[johngsandusky]

Good luck with it and let us know how it works out. Modifying boats and rigs is great fun.

[marcellsworth]

SOF is a viable option for a sailing canoe. I have done a couple experimental proas in SOF because it's a quick and cheap way to test out rig variations. I had some experience with SOF kayaks before this. What I found was that it is worthwhile to spread the force from the mast out along the stringers with diagonal struts. The first one I just had the mast sandwiched between two plywood ring frames. In a good breeze the whole hull would flex to leeward. It was kind of exciting there for a couple minutes. ;P

SOF is a good way to go, just give some thought about how you will spread the load out from the mast.

Marc

[retrowood]

SOF is a viable option for a sailing canoe. I have done a couple experimental proas in SOF because it's a quick and cheap way to test out rig variations. I had some experience with SOF kayaks before this. What I found was that it is worthwhile to spread the force from the mast out along the stringers with diagonal struts. The first one I just had the mast sandwiched between two plywood ring frames. In a good breeze the whole hull would flex to leeward. It was kind of exciting there for a couple minutes. ;P

SOF is a good way to go, just give some thought about how you will spread the load out from the mast.

Marc

I agree with you on the diagonal bracing and feel some additional blending of basic SOF design criteria would go a long way in creating a well balanced, strong sailing canoe. I have some excellent material to work with and feel theres a lot of potential for a usable,inexpensive, light craft. I'm not looking for 10/10's hi/tech design but perhaps a somewhat simpler alternative.


Retrowood

[retrowood]

Woody--did Hugh contact you yet? I let him know you were inquiring....

Unfortunatley not, perhaps in the future.

Retrowood

[Pernicious Atavist]

Send me your email address again. I may have miscopied it. Thanks.

[retrowood]

PM'd you Ed,
thanks,

Retrowood

[Pernicious Atavist]

Gotcha covered!