After building a new mast thwart and making a proper tiller, here is the Tin Tub ready to go into the water (lee boards not in pic)- which we did the next day. I took some vids at sail on a local lake. Little to no wind except for one reach. Took off like someone jabbed us with a cattle prod. 0 to 5mph in a nano second. I was impressed, especially since it couldn't have been more than a 5mph puff.

Sail looks nice. Is it the sail that was included when you purchased canoe? Definitly it doesn't need much wind to power a canoe. Just wait F3 condition, for ideal sailing!

Actually, I found the canoe on C-List from a guy who had already relocated to Denver, leaving his house empty except for this rather unsightly thing in his driveway. I suspect the Neighborhood Unsightliness Committee came around and warned him about it, as the place was pretty hoity-toity on an upscale golf course. I got it for $300. The boat is actually almost nick free. It's just that the paint has cooked off from years of outdoor storage. No problem. The owner thought it was a typical 17ft canoe. It turned out to be the 18ft sailing model.

The sail is a story of happinstance and good luck. I have a friend in my cycling club that tends to do all those "adventure" sports. I mentioned to him that I had aquired this canoe, and that it was a sailing type, but that I did not have the sail kit. He immedeately said that he had one in the basement that he will never use, and that I could have it. I couldn't just take it for free, so I insisted he take $75. All is well, and as I have said, it's fast.

By the way, when we took it out against light air, it seemed to point upwind extremely well in the puffs. I mean within 35-40 degrees. Is that normal for such a rig, allowing that the hull is very long? We were very pleased with that aspect.

John

45 degre is the best any sailcanoe can do (and sailboats).
When sail(s)and leeboards are well balanced, sailing is very enjoyable.

Okay then, 45 degrees it is. Maybe I'll put a strip of pink surveyor's tape up on the mast head to give a better read on the wind. Heck, I'll run up the Don't Tread On Me flag! Seems popular lately.

The tillerman said he didn't detect any lee helm, so I figure we put the boards at about the right spot. But I really don't think there was enough wind to tell. The local weather calls for days of rain and little wind, so now we have to wait.

Hopefully, the next installment will have some pics showing a couple of middle-aged idiots sailing by the seat of the pants.

Til then...

All this sounds entirely familiar, the sail, the hull ect. Looks great! did ya read the 'Capsize' article? Sargon's on to somthin with the outriggers. Just checkin cuz that is good size sail thar.