A pictoral demonstration why two boards are better than one

Ed Maurer, Publisher, Dunedin, Florida

Two boards, or one? This discussion has probably been on-going since canoe sailing took on a recreational air. I believe two boards work best and others say one. I contend that it all depends on the type and size canoe upon which they are mounted. Some will argue 'til they're blue in the face that a single board will do the job, and it will, but not universally.

Narrow boats with long, narrow boards, boats that don't raise the board out of the water much when it's on the weather side, get away with a single board.  However, wider boats with shorter, broader boards will raise the weather board until it's almost dry.

Also, twin boards on fixed mounts (as opposed to hanging off ropes) can be adjusted for running in shoals. Both boards part-way down can compensate for having to raise one's boards to accomodate shallow water. I often do it here when I'm sailing in a foot of water and can't have my one board fully extended. Additionally, short, leaf- (or Dutch-) style boards are even worse since they tend to be very short and broad.

Keep in mind that two boards will never add drag as long as the boat is rigged to completely remove an unused board from the water.

These three drawings, ala Todd Bradshaw, demonstrate my point.

The first picture shows a boat with a 36" beam and 36" boards. When flat, either board is in full use. In rough conditions, I often have both boards in play to give me maximum control. It's easy to retract a board you have, and darned hard to employ one you don't.

When heeled, however; the weather board has lost a lot of "bite." If one were to use only a single board, a lot of control would be lost when it was on the weather side.

When running in shoals, the problem is even worse since the boards may have to be retracted somewhat.

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