3. Outrigger Canoe Sailing

Using stitch and glue, I built an outrigger for the canoe. This is the first outing.

[captainKedger]

I like the outrigger. I've built four sailing canoes. my first build was a 17 footer that I rigged with scavenged junk, made stabilizers out of empty hawaiian punch bottles and made sails out of bedsheets. I sailed it from Tampa bay to miami about 400 miles before I sold it. ...I think your biggest problem is that the mast is so far forward that the wind is always pushing your bow downwind and you'll never get any windward motion that way. I use a sloop rig with my mast just slightly forward of center. this way my mainsail and jib sail balance each other. If I want to point to windward I just release the jibsheets and trim the main and the wind pushes my stern away which points my bow towards the wind and I get at least 15 degrees to windward without even steering and I didn't even have daggerboard or leeboards on that rig.
The last one I built also had no leeboards and I sailed it over 200 miles. Now I'm working on one I've made entirely from scratch and I'm seriously thinking of doing the great loop in it which is a year long trip of around 5000 miles.

[chrispalmer]

Nice try bud!
Thanks for posting your trials and errors
I am noodling on building something similar and appreciate your videos

[ilyafaden]

A trimaran configuration is very stable. Make the amas long and light using foam and fiberglass / epoxy. I like to rig both amas out of the water an inch or so when the canoe is level. Trampolines are great for balance in a breeze. The rudder needs to go aft for more authority and make it strong with in reason. Fiberglass canoes with a narrow beam are great for sail modifications. Great job and best of luck on the next build.

[YdocFrench]

Why not put the outrigger on your non dominant paddle side and just paddle from the opposite side of the outrigger ? Think of doing this with my canoe. I don’t need an outrigger for sailing but I like the idea of having the extra support and will make diving from it fun…I think.

[chrispalmer]

Nice try bud!
Thanks for posting your trials and errors
I am noodling on building something similar and appreciate your videos