Sailing canoe design questions.

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  • Jethro
    Junior Member
    • Feb 2012
    • 2

    Sailing canoe design questions.

    Hello everyone -- I have been lurking here for several months and researching decked sailing canoe designs as best as possible over the internet. My boat building experience is limited to having constructed two pirouges several years ago. However, I am a patient learner and would like to create a simple, elegant boat (or at least break the ice for better ones in the future). I have several questions, but first, here are my functional and design criteria. Hopefully, the criteria are not too much at odds with one another.

    Functional Criteria - I need to be able to transport the boat on a bicycle trailer that will be made specific to the resulting boat. I use a bicycle as my primary form of transportation and have good sailing and paddling water within easy bicycling distance from home. Second, the boat needs to be seaworthy enough for open water crossings on bays in Southeast Louisiana. I read with great interest the Howard Rice thread from a few weeks ago and know this is possible with the corresponding skill set. Third, must be able to sail to weather and must be able to deploy and stow the sail rig on the water without exiting the boat. Fourth, the boat needs to be equally proficient in sailing and in paddling. Rowing is not a concern. Fifth, for solo, extended trips, the boat needs to be large enough to carry camping equipment and a minimal amount of fishing and/or hunting equipment and still be large enough to sleep on. For day trips, I would like to be able to carry a second person.

    Design Criteria - The boat needs to weigh under 100 lbs and have a minimum capacity of 500 lbs. I have access to many different woods, particularly cypress and ash, and marine plywoods but would prefer to learn how to plank a boat in contrast to using plywood. I can have cypress bead & cove milled into strips but am bothered by the waste, and if using strips, would prefer edge to edge construction. (Feel free to tell me why I should reconsider plywood or bead & cove strips). I prefer the aesthetics of a dagger board over a lee board but will also frequently be in shallow-water more suitable for a lee board and am good with that . . . The rudder must be deployable from within the cockpit and also kick up when encountering an obstruction. Most importantly, I must be able to self-rescue in the event of a capsize.

    Designs Under Consideration -- Question -- Which of these seems like the best fit with my criteria?
    • Ian Oughtred – MacGregor Canoe – LOA – up to 17’3” – Beam 31”
    • Michael Storer – Beth – LOA – 16’4” – Beam 31”
    • Selway Fisher – 50/50 Canoe – LOA 15’ – Beam 35”
    • Hugh Horton – Bufflehead – LOA 15’ – Beam 34”
    • John Floutier – Rushton Princess
    • Yakaboo II – not sure where to find the plans
    • Chesapeake Light Craft – Mill Creek 13.5 or 16.5
    • Duckworks – Willie McGrath – LOA 17’6” – Beam 32”
    • Clark Craft – BK20
    • Gentry custom boats – Chuckanut 15
    • Bryan Boatbuilding – Fiddlehead 14

    Other Boats of Interest
    • Melonseed Skiff
    • Barnegat Bay Sneakbox

    Commercially Available Boats that Meet the Criteria (or come close)
    • Solway Dory – Shearwater
    • Solway Dory – Fulmar
    • Superior Canoes – Expedition
    • Kruger Canoes – Sea Wind
    • Kleppers, Longhauls, etc. -- the folding boats.

    Questions

    1) Am I biting off too much on what is essentially a first build by ruling out plywood and bead & cove strips?
    2) Is carvel planking an acceptable construction method for the Macgregor? The boat will be dry-stored.
    3) Would I be better off studying up on lapstrake construction instead of carvel planking?
    4) I have basic hand tools, drills, jigsaw, and circular saw but no table saw, router, or band saw. What, if any, additional power tools should I be looking for just for this first build?
    5) Have I left any designs out that should be considered?

    I am at the point of ordering some plans but really need to narrow the field before ordering anything. Thank you very much for any suggestions and feedback you can offer.
  • skuthorp
    Senior Member
    • Jan 2002
    • 73600

    #2
    Re: Sailing canoe design questions.

    Here's a Yahoo page full of links:
    A team of experts believes it may have found a good explanation for the extreme bouts of winter weather that swept through the United States and Europe late last year and in early 2011. They say that a deterioration of the Polar Vortex may be to blame for the unusual weather patterns.


    I have been sailing a decked 15'7" Macgreggor canoe, an Ian Oughtred design,

    for over 10 years. Single mast balanced lug sail. A bit tender I think for a first timer, but quite fast. I have seen a carvel Macgreggor at a local show and it seemed no different to sail.

    John Wellsford has a design that has a great deal going for it, here is a blog
    Small sailboats, sailing dinghies, coastal cruising, boat building, micro-cruising, canoes, beach boats.

    There was a long thread on the subject in the forum here



    You seem to have done a lot of research already. Welcome to the sailing canoe community.
    Jeff
    Last edited by skuthorp; 02-28-2012, 11:48 PM.

    Comment

    • P.I. Stazzer-Newt
      obnoxiously persistent.
      • Jan 2005
      • 26001

      #3
      Re: Sailing canoe design questions.

      Croeso.

      There's a friendly bunch of canoe sailing eejits who hang out here - on Song Of The Paddle

      You might enjoy a look at Wharram's "Melanesia" and a read through the "Ouitrigger and proa" thread - which has grown to over 40 pages.
      I'd much rather lay in my bunk all freakin day lookin at Youtube videos .

      Comment

      • keyhavenpotterer
        Senior Member
        • Nov 2007
        • 4868

        #4
        Re: Sailing canoe design questions.

        Hi Jethro, you have some fine sailing canoes on your list. I have owned and sailed the MacGregor, Solway Dory Shearwater and Curlew, and am working with John Welsford on a new Nautilus sailing canoe.

        Looking at your list of priorities, especially weight, paddling over rowing and need for plans to be available, I would say without doubt Bufflehead has to be the one.

        Plans now include mould shapes for strip plank, thus carvel shape is included. There's a strip plank one.



        Here's Axel carrying his Bufflehead on his shoulder.




        His web site http://www.bootsbaugarage.ch/bufflehead_en.htm Axel would also be happy to supply some of the special moulded carbon components for the fittout, as has just done for a UK build.

        here's a picture of two paddling Bufflehead




        Hugh keeps the interior completely open which keeps the weight right down for towing with your bike. Axel has spent a lot of time perfecting the best solution to fitting airbags so capsize recovery is best achieved. http://www.bootsbaugarage.ch/buff_safety.htm

        I think building in carvel is a great thing to do. all the original 1880's UK canoes were carvel. Here's an 1880's Nautilus hull



        I wish you well with your new project. I too have just bought a Kona Ute to tow my new Nautilus. She's a bit heavier so I went for the electric version!

        Brian
        Last edited by keyhavenpotterer; 02-29-2012, 07:20 AM.

        Comment

        • Jethro
          Junior Member
          • Feb 2012
          • 2

          #5
          Re: Sailing canoe design questions.

          Thank you very much for the excellent suggestions. I did not initially include the Nautilus due to the anticipated weight. Knowing the Bufflehead is available for strip construction is new information for me and much appreciated. I will follow-up further on the Bufflehead and continue researching.

          Good luck with the Kona Ute and the Nautilus. I hope to see some photographs and am curious about your trailer.

          Comment

          • keyhavenpotterer
            Senior Member
            • Nov 2007
            • 4868

            #6
            Re: Sailing canoe design questions.

            Angus Rowboats have bicycle towed and rowed their boats right across Europe. here's their Camperrowboat on one of their simple trailers. http://www.angusrowboats.com/boats.html

            Comment

            • andrewdarius
              Senior Member
              • Apr 2004
              • 498

              #7
              Re: Sailing canoe design questions.

              Hi there,

              I built a Mac for my first boat, and think glued lap is a very good way to learn. For a light and uncluttered boat of that size, I would think glued ply or bead and cove are your better options. The leeboards took a while to get used to, but to simplify their operation, I designed a cam-lock system to control them easier. In the pic you can see that they are able to stay raised with the cam locked down.

              Mine is built to 15-8, but can see needing the extra two feet if your other passenger is on the tall side. We aren't that large, and only just fit into it with all of our gear. We also designed a canvas deck to wrap the gun'l. Less weight, we benefit from being able to heel an extra degree or two, it covers the "unsightly" flotation, and in the second pic you'll see that it easily stows to leave more room for gear. Feel free to PM me for more info on the Mac.

              Andy



              Comment

              • SailRat
                Senior Member
                • Sep 2015
                • 217

                #8
                Re: Sailing canoe design questions.

                Was curious if by any chance there was a decision made on a sailing canoe?
                "Men go back to the mountains, as they go back to sailing ships at sea, because in the mountains and on the sea they must face up.” by Henry David Thoreau

                Comment

                • wtarzia
                  Senior Member
                  • Feb 2007
                  • 2104

                  #9
                  Re: Sailing canoe design questions.

                  I am surprised that Chesapeake Light Craft hasn't come up with a sailing canoe kit since they have everything else :-) . I asked John Harris this at some Wooden Boat Show, and though I forget most of the particulars of the conversation, I do remember he said the larger Sassafras canoe is 'almost there' as a sailing canoe candidate. Specs = Glued lapstrake, 15'7 long, 39" wide, 68 pounds (6 mm ply glassed inside and out only on the bottom), 500 lb capacity, somewhat flat rocker. I guess it is a bit wide for some of you, and for a solo sailor, being made for two paddlers at fore and aft ends, but that might be good for sailing. I wonder if you could get away with just partially decking the Sassafras and adding leeboards and mast step(s). -- Wade

                  Comment

                  • DeniseO30
                    Thinks too much..
                    • Jan 2009
                    • 4674

                    #10
                    Re: Sailing canoe design questions.

                    I'm with SailRat. Jethro, I'm thinking a sharpie or catboat type of craft as I see conflict in what you want in a canoe.or at least an outrigger canoe.

                    this troubles me. "Second, the boat needs to be seaworthy enough for open water crossings on bays in Southeast Louisiana. I read with great interest the Howard Rice thread from a few weeks ago and know this is possible with the corresponding skill set. Third, must be able to sail to weather and must be able to deploy and stow the sail rig on the water without exiting the boat."

                    Not be hurting your feelings but it screams, little to no sailing experience. Open water bays present things many canoes just don't do well in. Sure so and so sailed rowed around the world in a walmart kayak.. but did so and so train for years prior to the trip?


                    Have you ruled out craft traditional to your location? http://www.louisianafolklife.org/lt/...aux.html#tab11
                    Denise, Bristol PA, retired from HVAC business, & boat restoration and building

                    Comment

                    • wtarzia
                      Senior Member
                      • Feb 2007
                      • 2104

                      #11
                      Re: Sailing canoe design questions.

                      I agree, an outrigger would be a good choice. Lots of good designs out there. Gary Dierking's designs have much to recommend them. Also this recent innovative canoe: http://sailnaway.blogspot.com/p/b-expedition-canoe.html -- Wade

                      Comment

                      • keyhavenpotterer
                        Senior Member
                        • Nov 2007
                        • 4868

                        #12
                        Re: Sailing canoe design questions.

                        The superb B&B sailing canoe is now for sale at $6500.

                        As promised, here is stage 1 of the UFC. I tried hard to take good video on the trip. All the video taken was with my GoPro Black and the au...


                        I had hoped B&B might might make the plans and kits available.

                        Do not worry at all about the 39" beam, the superb Solway Dory designs are all around the figure. The increase in stability and fun is very marked compared to the narrower designs.

                        If John feels the Sassafras is good I would be very happy to go with that.
                        Brian
                        Last edited by keyhavenpotterer; 06-08-2016, 03:42 AM.

                        Comment

                        • SailRat
                          Senior Member
                          • Sep 2015
                          • 217

                          #13
                          Re: Sailing canoe design questions.

                          I did write Mr. Welsford a couple days ago and he was gracious enough to reply that the "Nautilus" was put on the back burner at this point in time but there was a lot of interest in it so maybe it will be brought to the top of the heap again. Let's hope, it looks like a nice design.
                          "Men go back to the mountains, as they go back to sailing ships at sea, because in the mountains and on the sea they must face up.” by Henry David Thoreau

                          Comment

                          • wtarzia
                            Senior Member
                            • Feb 2007
                            • 2104

                            #14
                            Re: Sailing canoe design questions.

                            I've always loved the Selway Dory "Fulmar." Too bad they have no American distributor! I could be very tempted. --Wade

                            Comment

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