Canoe Sailers of Rocky Mtn Safari

Canoe Sailers of Rocky Mtn Safari

Our sailboats are standard recreational canoes, rigged
with sails and kayak outriggers, in ways that preserve
the paddling experience.

They all have leeboards, rudders/tillers, and spray
skirting on the whole canoe. The bow skirting fully
closes around a paddler.

The trimarans are traditionally-rigged for sailing,
one gaff, one Bermuda.

The canoe sailers have a 5’ stub mast to hold a fixed-
wing sail from a wind surf rig (mast/boom/sail).

The kayaks are used for stability and gear stowage.
Each kayak has augmented pillars, 4 float bags, and
non-stretch Cordura covers which seal very strong and
tight to endure wave crashing and running submerged.

Although the kayaks could hold a paddler, the
seat/walk rails preclude using a double-bladed paddle
stroke, and it turns out folks would rather paddle or ride
elsewhere on the boat.

The model used to get rigging dimensions
and ensure free paddling

Ranger trimaran

Mast and sails from an 18’ Hobie, (26’ mast cut down to 20)

Note the double-bivi on the hammocks This boat flies
Tie the bivi down, and ALL our sleeping stuff is stowed!
Fiberglass, 19’ length, 32” beam
Bermuda rig, 20’ mast, 10 sqm sail (main+jib), 5 reefs
13’ Hurka fiberglass kayaks
Dual leeboards, between-the-knees tiller
Tiller extension to hammock
On-board hammocks with canopy

Mohawk trimaran

Fiberglass, 17’6” length, 36” beam Funky protuberance on mast to get better sail separation
Gaff rig, 11’ mast/16’ gaff up, 7.8 sqm sail (main+jib), 3 reefs
11’ Perception Dancer poly kayaks
Dual leeboards, between-the-knees tiller
Tiller extension to hammock
On-board hammocks with canopy

Note the rotation stops: block and strap Stern cockpit, green between-knees tiller

Dolphin canoe sailer

With a 3 sqm sail, this boat can handle almost anything

Note the stub mast, leeboard, seat rail, hike out seat On this trip, a windsurf board was used instead of a kayak
It worked great except hull sound isn’t as soothing as a kayak

Single outrigger (Bob and Nancy’s canoe)
Fiberglass, 17’ length, 36” beam, windsurf sails (3,4,6 sqm)
11’ Perception Dancer poly kayak
Seat rail between kayak beams
Single leeboard, between-the-knees tiller
Hike-out seat for when kayak is to windward
Sail-drop quick release

Guide canoe sailer

Royalex, 14’ length, 36” beam (Scott and Pati’s canoe) Before adding a stub mast, and walk/seat rail
windsurf sails (3,4,6 sqm)
13’ Hurka fiberglass kayak, seat rail between kayak beams
Single leeboard, side-bar tiller
Hike-out seat for when kayak is to windward
Sail-drop quick release

Tandem canoe sailer

Costs

The approximate cost of converting a canoe to a sailer are
shown below. Costs may be less if used stuff can be found
(kayaks, sails, mast, etc).

wind surf rig trimaran

We convert a single-outrigger canoe sailer into a 4-person hardware 146 759
tandem canoe sailer (~catamaran) by replacing the kayak wood 97 200
outrigger with a canoe. 50 115
mast/boom
The only modification needed to the additional canoe is spray sail(s) 100 405
skirting (bow and midsection at least). 100 200
kayak(s)
Adding a canoe as a second outrigger is also an option, adding skirting 55 55
more payload (by retaining the kayak), but means a third hull in tramp 0 47
the water, and it would be of marginal benefit to stability. canopy 0 119

parts subtotal $550 $1900
labor $500 $1000

total cost $1050 $2900