When I first started mounting a sail on a canoe, my objective was pretty simple: Sailing on the cheap with the minimum of equipment, with the minimum of fuss and inconvenience. Once I had met that objective to my satisfaction, the next test was to improve my performance to the point where I could keep pace with a Sunfish. I haven’t had an opportunity to go toe to toe with a Sunfish since building a canoe to my own design and fitting it with a sail of my own making, so I don’t know for sure that I’ve reached my second objective. But I do know that I’m close. And with a bit more experimentation, I’m sure I eventually will attain the latter goal. The following are reprints of articles, documenting my progress, that appeared in Small Craft Advisor Magazine

Building a Hull ..................................................................................................................$5.00

First appeared in SCA #39 and #40. Describes the process of building a sailing canoe hull from quarter inch lauan plywood. Templates are provided for the 12 panels required to make the hull shell. Approximately $225 in materials is required: for plywood, fiberglass cloth and epoxy. Construction can be completed in about 60 hours, even for the relatively unskilled builder. The Stitch-and-Glue system of construction is employed. Only basic hand and electric tools are called for. Diagrams and photos are provided.

Building Leeboards............................................................................................................$2.50

First appeared in SCA #42. I have developed a beautifully simple self-activating leeboard system. Self-activating in the sense that whenever you change tacks, the appropriate board automatically drops into the water simultaneously pulling the windward board out of the water. Approximately $20 in materials: quarter inch plywood, epoxy, and an assortment of stainless steel eyebolts. The boards can be assembled in a couple of hours. Diagrams and photos.

A Homemade Sail...............................................................................................................$2.50

Over the past 15 years, I’ve experimented with a number of different rigs ranging considerably in square footage. My most recent effort is far and away the best of the lot, offering speed and performance in moderate winds. It is 65 square feet in area, made from white polytarp material. Its edges and seams were formed by use of tarp repair tape. Four short, straight seams required the use of a sewing machine. Four grommets were installed (in addition to the factory-installed grommets.) Materials cost approximately $30. Cutting, taping and sewing the sail was completed in about 4 hours. For light winds, a slightly larger sail of, say, 80-85 square feet might be desirable. But for most wind conditions–I can confidently say after more than one year’s use–this sail is just right. Photos and detailed diagrams/patterns provided.

A Rudder for a Sailing Canoe...............................................................................................$2.50

This reprint from SCA #41 describes the construction of the rudder that served as a prototype for my world famous (?) Rudder-Like-Butter. Materials consisted mostly of scraps of lumber, sheet metal, and small amounts of epoxy and fiberglass cloth. This Do-It-Yourself rudder can be completed in 3 or 4 hours.

All four reprints....................................................................................................................$10.00

Postage paid. Pay by Pay-Pal or check to William Mantis, PO Box 234, Bokeelia, FL 33922. Or you can place your order by e-mail, and we’ll send an invoice along with the reprints. In any case, please remember to provide your mailing address.