Turn a Canoe or Kayak into a formidable sailing boat or a super stable fishing platform. 

Whizz Along in Armchair Comfort – or – the Ideal Fishing Platform (paddle/motor)

Diving or Snorkelling Platform

All Components under 4.5kg (10lbs)

2 sheets ply

 

With the additional stability we were able to cram on a significant amount of sail in a simple Lateen Rig. – about 7.5 sq metres (80 sq ft) for real sailing performance.   One of the advantages of the lateen rig is that the sail can be a backyard manufactured item.  We made ours out of a blue plastic tarpaulin – I think the total sail cost was about $40.  The Lateen even if cut completely flat develops a useful driving shape when loaded up by the wind.

 

The boat whipped along very well and did not really require a leeboard provided the leeward hull was well immersed. It had a surprising turn of speed and was quite exciting to sail.

 

This can be provided as either a printed book or a pdf file which we will email to you.  If you choose the pdf file option, it is vitally important to make sure we have the correct email address and phone number so we can resolve any difficulties in delivering the file to you.  To select the book change the option in the drop down box

 

Any relatively narrow hull (under 4ft, 1.2m) is suitable, whether a canoe, kayak or rowboat.

 

Typically, it all roofracks easily because of the light weight.

 

There have been a couple of these built to make a canoe into an excellent fishing platform.  For that purpose they used a small outboard (2 or 3hp pushes a canoe along quite quickly) attached to a bracket on one of the crossbeams.  The outer hulls provide an extra level of safety as they are watertight.

 

It can also be fitted to one side only to make a Proa. The ends without the outrigger hull should project about 300 to 400mm (12 to 18″)  outside the gunwale and the two ends tied together with a piece of timber so they can’t move relative to each other.

 

The hulls and crossbeams can fit some small dinghies particularly if they are quite narrow and not too long.

 

The hulls are simple stitch and glue (image above), and the displacement has been chosen for the speed to wash off if the boat heels too much.  The crossbeams are simple laminations and look light and simple on the boat.  The hulls attach to the crossbeams with butterfly nuts, then the crossbeams are lashed into the hull.  For sailing versions the upper mast partner is built into the forward crossbeam and the mast steps on a simple block glued to the bottom of the boat.

 

It is possible for a motor or paddling configuration to use one hull only – a one sided outrigger canoe.  But the ends of the crossbeam without a hull have to have a tie bar between the ends.  This might potentially make a nice diving platform.  The outboard could be attached to the rear crossbeam close to the hull.

 

 

This can be provided as either a printed book or a pdf file which we will email to you.  If you choose the pdf file option, it is vitally important to make sure we have the correct email address and phone number so we can resolve any difficulties in delivering the file to you.  To select the book change the option in the drop down box.