We finish up and head over to Mark’s home in a nearby village because we need to access the internet. The UK government has promised to make 4G internet access and even landline broadband access better in the rural and remote areas of the country but poor internet access is a cross businesses like Mark’s and our’s suffer from whilst we wait for the UK to catch up with the rest of the developed world in this respect.
Over another coffee we talk about the future for Overwater.
Those of us who run small companies have to be very careful where we spend our time and on what projects, if you are not careful you can find yourself chasing your tail and spreading yourself too thin. Mark’s as aware as this as anyone but he’s been looking carefully at the courses he provides and really focusing in on this ‘weekend build’ issue. He also says that
“space is another issue: many of us, especially in the UK and in urban areas, have real problems in finding the space to build a boat. Time and space are the challenges.”
Mark is looking at offering courses teaching boatbuilding skills so – for example he could run a course on epoxy use and glassing or on basic carpentry or perhaps making spars.
Either way, it’s an interesting time for Mark and Overwater boats as Mark looks at new ways to share his skills with budding boat builders.
We both agree that key to all businesses in the sector is getting the novice boat builder, the overworked and depressed folk stuck behind their monitors who read about our antics online. Those who want to share experiences with their loved ones but are increasingly time and budget challenged. These are the people we all need to be focusing on and angling our businesses to help get more of them to get on the water, be that by building a coracle or learning the skills to build a boat.
All too soon it’s time to head back over the Pennines to Hexham, we agree to hook up at an Open Canoe Sailing Group meeting next year, I have a sailing canoe coming that needs some outriggers. The rain hasn’t let up all day.
Over the next few months, Mark will be one of our regular technical contributors, sharing valuable skills and tips with us – I know I’ll be reading as my boatbuilding skills leave an awful lot to be desired!
Mark's laminated paddle making courses are very
There's more to sailing a canoe than shoving a sail on any old canoe hull. Whilst this will improve speed down wind, there's no guarantee that the result will behave as a sailing boat. Sailing boats perform because the sails, foils (rudder/keel, board), hull and mast position are in balance. Boat designers go to considerable efforts to make these variables work to deliver sailing performance. Critical is the ability to sail 'near the wind' and the ability to tack. Fortunately, there are people out there who have been doing this for years and can help you choose.
Sailing canoes can be viable alternatives to boats, especially for those on a budget or families wanting a boat for exploring rivers and lakes. The ability to car top is crucial for this as is the ability to deploy with sail or paddle. Open canoes have a high payload to weight ratio, much more so than boats. The combination of a lightweight boat which could carry a significant amount of cargo was one of the reasons the canoe was and remains such a suitable design for the rivers and lakes of the northern USA and Canada.
We've done the research for you and here are several boats that we would suggest you consider if you want a sailing canoe. However, before you choose - consider what your requirements are and how much you are looking to spend. You can buy a canoe specifically designed for sailing, buy and convert a canoe for sailing or build a canoe for sailing.
Sailing Canoe Buyer's Guide
words: Barnacle Bill with thanks to Keith Morris and Mark Aplin
Pictures: Thanks to Dave Stubbs and the team atSolway Dory, Paul Fisher, Michael Storer, Mark Aplin, Keith Morris
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