Saturday, June 21, 2014

Sail Specs, 18 ft^2

I'll be using a lateen rig sail for the conversion to an outrigger sail/rowing/motor canoe.  I'll be using a 4 oz Dacron for the sailcloth in white, with a wind area of 18ft^2, with a bamboo mast and upper and lower spars like a Sunfish rig.  The mast will be unstayed with a socket tabernacle/keel block, held in place by halyard pressure like the AMF/Alcort Sunfish.


Friday, June 13, 2014

Thoughts on the outrigger design

I was thinking, essentially, all I need is a pair of flotation chambers, that are cylindrical, and angled higher in the front than the back.  So, how about a pair of 6'x6" sections of PVC pipe with the ends capped and glued, and the outrigger struts of 2" Heavy walled PVC, and attached to the boat at the aluminum crossbraces with zip ties.  The idea is to have them be securely mountable, but easily removable for trailering the canoe.

They will need to be wide enough from the rails to allow for oars, since I also have the boat set up with oarlocks for rowing like a single racing scull shell for exercise for nonpowered trolling on the ICW.  The width will also need to be there for stability with the outboard running....a  2 1/2 HP outboard will really kick a canoe along fast in relation to the hull design and it's not a Gheeno with planing chines for stability, but will be as fast as one.   My canoe isn't a flatback, it's a double ender classic canoe.

Monday, June 2, 2014

Using a canoe for fishing the ICW and Flats

OK, I'm starting a new project.  I'm making some mods to my old canoe to put my little 2 1/2 HP outboard on it and adding a couple stability outrigger/floats so I can do standing casts and throw my castnet from the canoe without tipping.  I also need a bit more stability getting in and out of the boat, since my left leg is partially paralyzed and significantly weaker than the right after my strokes.

This will allow me to go after some areas that the big fish hang out, away from the herds at the causeways and piers.  The motor will really help me with tidal currents, too.  It;'s not real easy paddling or rowing against the tide......much like kayaking the rapids, but going up stream.

I have a design on process for a pair of epoxy sealed plywood streamlined floats for the dual outriggers.  For the framework, I'm planning on PVC pipe and clamps for the gunwhales of the canoe.  I'll be posting the progress and make the design and specs available here in the Fishing Report for free, as well.