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> Perhaps this question belongs on the techniques board but since I'll have
> to build anything I want to sail, I'll ask it here anyway. I have become
> increasingly interested in kayak/canoe sailing (especially proas) but have
> absolutely no knowledge of sailing. Any recommendations for a reading list
> would be greatly appreciated, both as regards building and sailing kayaks
> and canoes as well as general sailing books that might be helpful. I have
> to this point uncovered some Internet sites: the Cheap Pages, the ACA
> sailing committee pages and a couple others. Any other applicable Internet
> sites would help as well. Thanks, Tom.
Hi Tom,
You might look up the web page of craig o donnell at www.paddlin.com/fivelakes/canoe_sailing.html#index there is another site that is put up by a guy who sails open canoes in conditions that are fit for sea kayaks...seems pretty knowledgeable about canoe sailing. His site is at www.concentric.net/~Icanoe.
building: "Nick's book" for strip built kayaks "Featherweight Boatbuilding" by Mac McCarthy or Ted Moores "CanoeCraft" for building stripper canoes. HH Payson has good plans and books for building simple sail boats using tack and tape plywood methods (he has a web page you can get to it with a search in alta vista..just type in hh payson in the search). His boat plans are from Phil Bolger.
Sailing books: check your library or your local "bigger book stores" (barnes and noble, Borders books and Music, etc.) "Sailing for Dummies"...yes there is a "dummies" book on sailing. It has lots of information about sailing in general..... then there is Peter Isler's "Let's Go Sailing". It is a small book of sailing fundamentals that is put put by the American Sailing Association. It has probably all that you'd need to know for saiing a canoe, as far as the mechanics of sail is concerned. I have no experience in sailing, but through building my canoe, I have developed a big desire to build a sailboat. I'd like to rig my canoe so that I can learn the basics, I corresponded with Walt Simmons of Ducktrap Woodworking. He has some nice lapstrake canoes and has sail plans for them. They will work on other boats too. They are balanced-ketch rigs......simple and not too much sail. As Mr. Simmons told me, "The best way to learn to sail your canoe is to bend on the sails and step aboard. She'll shoew you in short order what she likes and doesn't..........". Just don't forget those float bags! hope this helps, garland
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Guillemot Kayak - High
Performance Wooden Sea Kayak Designs
