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Skin-on-Frame: Since I'm here . . . . *PIC*
By:Dave Gentry
Date: 10/19/2012, 12:39 pm

My latest - a SOF canoe. An outrigger canoe, actually. 13'6" x 18" (or 7' wide with the outrigger) about 30lbs. She's meant for sailing, and I have a crab claw lateen rig for her - though any small sail rig can be used instead (I test sailed her with a small, borrowed, balanced lug rig). She does paddle nicely, though the outrigger should be shorter if you mean to paddle her only. Very, very stable. The outrigger (ama) - simply a "stick" in many traditional outrigger canoes - is here simply a 2x4. It is easy to overwhelm, as there's not a whole lot of buoyancy, but it goes under only in slooooow motion and a small lean in the opposite direction is all it takes to bring her back up. This is true when sailing or paddling. She's meant to tack, not shunt, and when the ama is to windward, its weight keeps it skimming right along the surface.
There's a rudder with a yoke and tiller, rather than some variety of steering oar. The bow and stern profiles are from two different traditional styles of boat - I thought they went well together.

WRC stringers, marine ply frames, 8oz polyester skin, laminated poplar akas/cross beams, SPF ama. About a week to build, for $170 or so in materials, including the sail rig. She can be built 2' longer with the same frames, and/or with dual outriggers for even more worry free sailing. Set up time is about 15 minutes - too much, but there's some lashing involved. Two smallish paddlers are OK, but the 13'6" version is definitely a solo sailor.

She's very fast and fun to sail, so far. More testing is needed before I release plans, but I am very enthusiastic about her!

Comments welcome, though I am usually unable to reply here.

Messages In This Thread

Skin-on-Frame: Since I'm here . . . . *PIC*
Dave Gentry -- 10/19/2012, 12:39 pm
Sailing . . . . *PIC*
Dave Gentry -- 10/23/2012, 9:33 am
Re: Sailing . . . .
West -- 10/24/2012, 5:28 pm