I am looking forward to communicating with others who sail canoes!
I first read about Canoe For Sail in an issue of Cottage Life Magazine.

I have a 17' aluminium, Sears canoe that resembles a Gruman Double- Ender.
My first attempt I used supplies on hand from bits of 2X4 to cedar fence boards. The sail was a lateen cut from an old sailboard sail. My son & I drifted on Lake Huron one day, I can't say it really sailed but we had fun.

Over the years I gave more serious thought to my project. I paid a visit to the Canoe Museum in Peterborough, Ontario. Here I got a visual of old canoes made for sailing. I spent many hours on the Internet reading & planning.

I settled on a ketch-rigged with balanced lug sails. The aluminum cross pieces to hold the mast, leeboards and pontoons are clamped on so nothing is permanently attached to the canoe.

The pontoons are 4' long by 5" in diameter. They are anodized as are all the cross-pieces. I went with professionally made sails this time, by The Sailmaker in Toronto.

I spent quite a bit of time designing a rudder with rope steering. I had a bit of trouble finding the gudgeons & pintles but finally found them at Bristol Bronze on a trip to Tiverton, RI.

All that is left are the yards & booms and the lines & pulleys. I would welcome any input or advice on how to set up these systems.

Look forward to hearing from you.
George

Hi George. I'm from Quebec. We share same hobby. If you plan for lug sail ketch sailing, go ahead. It's very good. In the beginning it's a bit funny but you get used to it very fast, I wouldn't go back to one sail. Outriggers are awesome for stability and safety, mine are 8 ft long and weight about 20 pounds each, but on water they weight very little. Cya.