Introduction, and a little background

Hello,

I am a new sailor and new to building boats.

I was bitten by the sailing bug (or rather, the infection became acute) and since then have been getting more and more deeply into it. I've taken sailing lessons, read a lot of books (histories, sailing manuals, design books).

I had a problem when I started: I wanted to sail after I took my lessons but had no boat. And no where to store one.

But I did have 2 canoes. So, after vowing to my wife I would make no permanent modifications, I designed a set of ... prostheses?... that turned the canoe into a sailboat. Mast of plumbing PVC, Sails of blue tarp, outriggers for stability (oak struts, PVC floats), a larboard and rudder.



On its maiden voyage it reached and ran downwind well. It would not point at all. I determined the craft had a bad case of lee helm, because the nose of the canoe was rising up and moving the CLR aft too far. I altered the rudder design (deeper), the daggerboard (deeper, canted back) and added ballast to the nose of the canoe on my second try.

It sailed VERY well.






So now I have a boat, with the attendant satisfacion of having designed many of its components myself. So now I'm going to build another.

I am planning to take a 17' Aluminum canoe, cut off the stern and install a transom, and install a retractable daggerboard with a weighted bulb on the end. I may be bouncing some ideas and questions off of the good folks here.

I look forward to some stimulating conversations.

regards,

Thaddeus
Captain, good ship Eccentricity

 

Just doing it!

Congratulations! You can't learn any better than by having the experiences that you're having.
You might consider-just for reference-letting an experienced sailor -and preferably designer- sail the boat and see what they say-just another way to learn!
Good luck!

 

Thanks, Doug!

I may take your advice. And if I bring a passenger along, then I won't have to lug the ballast out of the van down to the boat.

 

I second Doug's advice. Creativity, fun, playing around, ultra-low-$$. Taking an experienced sailor along will certainly net you some valuable advice. Enjoy!

 

Itnroduction, and a little background

Thaddeus - you're crazy - and a most welcome addition to this forum

 

Thanks, Mr. Bergalia.

On her maiden voyage, I took it out on Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis. The local yacht club was doing some around the buoys dinghy races in Venture 420's... I sailed on over and paralleled their course on a broad reach, and was able to pace them in my creation.

The looks on their faces will be one of my fondest memories for all time... utter astonishment.... ROFLMAO...

 

Stop this 'Mr' business Thad (I was a skipper - not a first mate.
Great story though. But, next time add a spinnaker - and 'moon' as you cruise past them That'll be the expression to relish....Yours aye, Bergalia

 

Aye aye, sir! Very good sir!

 

You can buy square sterns. They are called " freighters " by the old Grumann Canoe co. Post some adds on the canoe forums. You could get very lucky. They are a much more rugged boat. Perfect for all the extra weight of a weekend sailer with people. All emergency repairs in a aluminum = 1/4 a roll of good duct tape. I am a expert on that. Enjoy the pride of your own designs.