We asked Keith Morris from the Open Canoe Sailing Group to suggest some ‘Off the shelf’ canoes that can be converted to reasonable sailing canoes, not all open canoes make good sailing canoes, much depends on the shape of the hull so if you want a canoe for sailing as well as paddling we would suggest you ask before you spend a lot of money on a boat that is unsuitable for sailing. It is interesting that most of the following boats have the traditional ‘Prospector’ style Canadian canoe hull. If you want to go down this route we suggest you contact the Open Canoe Sailing Group for advice on conversion. Solway Dory rigs can and are made to fit these types of boat:
Although you can build your own spars, sails and foils, many regular canoe sailors buy Solway Dory sailing rigs for their boats. These are excellent, tough and reliable. They have also been designed to be easy to collapse and stow in the boat and easy to reef. SD sell three different rigs. They will also make you a custom rig. Please note, at time of press SD were not posting their rigs outside the EU:
The Bermudan Rig (below right)
is their most efficient and when set properly on a decked canoe is capable of outperforming a Laser or a Topper. Usually set up as a sloop (single mast) It is sometimes set up as a ketch ( 2 masts) sails are available in 3 sizes: 14 to 55sqft.
The Bermudan Expedition Rig (below centre)
Is a great compromise between efficiency and stowing ability. The whole mast, boom and sail can be rolled up together and stowed on the floor of the canoe, out the way of crew and paddlers. The Bermudan expedition rig is easy to reef by simply wrapping round the mast, it’s an easier rig to reef than the lug sail rig
The Expedition Rig (below left)
Solway Dory’s standard Expedition rig is a 25’ lugsail which can be rigged either as a loose footed lugsail or as a standing lugsail. Lugsails are not quite as efficient as Bermudan sails for sailing close to the wind but they are more forgiving of errors and also have a lower point of load so make for a more stable boat. Some canoes are ketch rigged with two lug sails.
Old Town Penboscot 164-174 www.oldtowncanoe.com/ £920+)
Hou Canoes 15’. 16’ and 17’ www.houcanoes.com (£859-£959)
Venture Canoes Prospector 15’ or 16’ www.venturekayaks.com (£849-£879)
Wenoah Canoes Heron 15 & Rogue 16 www.wenonah.com £1595 £1795
Rough budget guide – on top of the retail price of the boat you will have to budget for the following:
Solway Dory rigs £175-£425 (spars, sails and rigging)
Solway Dory pivoting Lee Board: c£100 (including thwart)
Solway Dory Canoe rudder: £190
Solway Dory Tiller extension £25
Outrigger Floats and poles (not always available from SD but rough price guide for making) £ 500
Also budget for:
Drysuit (£250), quality jacket (£100), buoyancy aid (£50), Marine VHF Radio (if using at sea for expeditions £100). Car roof rack (£100)
Roughly budget for £1200-1700 depending on rig and equipment – add the cost of the boat on top of this. Realistically you could be on the water with a decent sailing canoe set up for £2000 which is considerably cheaper than a sailing dinghy!
Useful links:
The Open Canoe Sailing Group www.ocsg.org.uk/
Solway Dory www.solwaydory.co.uk
Duckworks (plans for self builds etc.)
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