Project Griswold: rigging a canoe for sailing
The fever hit me in the form of a boat, and there are very few cures for a case of Boat-Fever other than acquiring a boat. Thus, a canoe was acquired. That being said, once an object is in my possession, it is difficult for me to not modify/upgrade the thing.
This is a pictoral tale of the mods I made to a canoe during the Summer of 2019. Originally, I had hoped to post about each of the main components that were created for the canoe, but that simply wasn't happening fast enough, and thus I decided to post all of the boat modifications at once. Technically, the majority of components are removable and aren't actually "modifications", but you get the idea.
The canoe!
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/01.jpg)
16' Wenonah Prospector… the "Lewis & Clark" model
Clark, Clark, Clark?
Obviously I needed to name the project after the greatest adventurer named "Clark"
Clark W. Griswold
Yup, it can paddle around
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/02.jpg)
Paddling is over-rated, so I built a detachable motor mount
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/03.jpg)
The canoe did not want a motor
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/04.jpg)
Obviously the canoe wanted a more natural mode of propulsion, and at this time it was decided that wind power was the best way to go.
starting the rudder mount
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/05.jpg)
the bolt on bracket for the rudder
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/06.jpg)
Design some outrigger/ama/mini-hulls
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/07.jpg)
Inkscape was used to rough out a design for outriggers
Hopefully the depth of the outriggers negates the need for a dagger board
Outrigger pieces cut
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/08.jpg)
Outrigger skeletons, glued and screwed
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/09.jpg)
Rigid insulation cut for the outriggers
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/10.jpg)
Initial design of the kick-up rudder and rudder box
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/11.jpg)
Why not draw designs directly on the wood?
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/12.jpg)
Clamping the insulation onto the outrigger skeleton
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/13.jpg)
Smoothed with a rasp and power sander
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/14.jpg)
Rudder and rudder-box mostly complete
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/15.jpg)
A cap for the rudder axle
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/16.jpg)
Finished axle
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/17.jpg)
A yoke on the axle box
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/18.jpg)
The rudder retracts quite well
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/19.jpg)
Find a new tiller
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/20.jpg)
Fiberglassing the outriggers
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/21.jpg)
Designing clamps for the outrigger arms/akas
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/22.jpg)
Akas are done, man
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/23.jpg)
Mast source
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/24.jpg)
knotwork holding the outriggers to the arms
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/25.jpg)
Laminating a mast
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/26.jpg)
Remove the corners
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/27.jpg)
Making the bolt-on mast housing
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/28.jpg)
Paint does not hide everything
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/29.jpg)
Roughing the sail shape
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/30.jpg)
the sail is based on the 36 square feet sail from reallysimplesails.com
the sail is cut
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/31.jpg)
Hella sinister scissors make every project better
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/32.jpg)
Making the yards
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/33.jpg)
Sippin and sewing
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/34.jpg)
Party!
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/35.jpg)
Stable enough for a hyper puppers
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/36.jpg)
This was the first trip to the lake with the outriggers, and it was a real learning experience. Tear down, load up, transport, unload, set up, and hit the water. Inefficiencies were found, and remedied.
Sheep poo
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/37.jpg)
Mast foot
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/38.jpg)
Holy crap that looks bad, but it works!
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/39.jpg)
Cruising at 3KPH
![](2020-01-02_Project-Griswold/40.jpg)
Griswold isn't the fasted boat on the water, and that's OK. Any use of wind power for propulsion is time that I am not paddling. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy going for a paddle, but I also like using the wind to help me explore the lake.
Cheers!
jezra :)