Canoe Sailing: rig and technique

Sailing a canoe. Learn how to use a simple sailing rig for canoe. With a few minor adjustments to the outfitting a mast and sail can be fitted. This video covers both downwind and crosswind sailing.
If you enjoyed this then consider making a small donation at: www.buymeacoff...
Sail, mast foot and sailing seat by www.endlessriv...
My outfitting video also includes how I fitted the mast foot and sailing seat: • Outfitting a Canoe: Br...
Many thanks to Alan Pinnington of www.mountain-w... for his assistance.
My collie Billie makes an appearance.
Paddling the Prospector from www.venturekay...
Paddles by freebirdpaddle...
Gear by www.nrs.com
Sail, mast foot and sailing seat by www.endlessriv...
My website: www.RayGoodwin.com
My book 'Canoeing', is available direct from me or from Amazon.
In North America the easiest way to obtain my book is via the Book Depository: www.bookdeposi...

[@paultaylor3856]

Wow that’s impressive. Very clever sailing and amazing control. Have watched this several times now, probably the best canoe sailing demo I’ve seen 👍👍

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Wow, thanks! Glad you found it interesting and useful.

[@mcoppock214]

It is, Ray is the best.

[@source-2-sea322]

Excellent video Mr Goodwin. Sailing a canoe is one of lifes pleasures and this video is a great way to learn.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you. Looking forward to paddling/sailing with you again soon (wish).

[@zacharychastain3681]

I have an old beat up radison with the sale hole option. This video convinces me I need to get the sail

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad it inspired you to have a go. Have fun

[@tumbleweed6658]

Wow once I started watching this there’s a lot of skill that goes into canoe sailing I truly believe one should get trained on this. Super impressed Mr Goodwin man you were cutting the water like a Mako shark!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

That Mako shark thing has got me chuckling. Thank you so much for your kind comments

[@realmetis8002]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe I live in Canada and own a 16ft sportspal with the option of putting a sail in the front I would love to develop these skills 😀 Mr mako lol

[@WhitBoss]

Rather brilliant, sir! Your dog has been an amazing add to the video. Thank you.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad you enjoyed it! Yep Billie is quite special

[@mycompasstv]

Excellent demonstration all round Mr. Goodwin. You have real skill pilloting that craft, it looks like great fun. Thanks for the terrific upload!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

You are very welcome and your kind comments are appreciated.

[@Aheitchoo]

Very cool, I'm surprised you get by so well without a lee board. I'm working on my own canoe rig now and love your simplicity.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thanks 👍 But without a leeboard I cannot effectively make any way into the wind. I did have a leeboard with me that day but decided to show the sailing without. I really need to do another video with a leeboard to make a comparison. Anyway I too love the simplicity.

[@p1nesap]

Nice that's some pure sailing.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you.

[@zerofeather783]

Thanks, Ray. I did a lot of dinghy sailing in my youth but I've tended to shy away from putting a sail on my canoe because it looked complicated, and simplicity is what I like about paddling. You'd demonstrated how to sail a canoe with a very simple setup. I shall need to buy a sail!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad to be of service. Have fun.

[@territodude]

Looks like you have it down there skipper and your first mate is enjoying the ride. Thanks for your video, very straightforward and looks like a nice and efficient setup!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep it is a very simple rig and does well for me as it is easy to carry and rig. Billie so enjoys being in the canoe. Thanks for commentating.

[@hoagietime1]

I've been canoe sailing curious for a while, a hundred years ago it was all the rage. I can easily see myself adding white water float bags and a mast head to my Kevlar tripping canoe.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hoagietime FPV: good stuff. It is good fun and this method is one of the less technical ones. Some take it very seriously and have lee board and rudders

[@Captain_Bartolo]

Cool technique for sailing with our leeboards! 👍 Your dog have much fun to 😃

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you. Yep my dog does enjoy it as long as he has plenty of chance to run around between sessions.

[@lesp315]

The best part of the show is your dog.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

He is such a good dog.

[@Dawn2DuskAdventuring]

Ok you’re an expert sailor is pretty obvious. Very enjoyable video thanks

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad you enjoyed it. There are better canoe sailers out there but I really enjoy it and know my limits.

[@brian_ward_outdoors]

Great video Ray. Something I really want to acquire in my skill set.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

It is good fun.

[@LuisCollazo]

Saving this video for future reference. Very well explained with good examples. Thanks!!!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad it was helpful! Have fun when you get around to it.

[@MrMjt888]

Nice one Ray. Loving this new series format. Really useful.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you very much. More to come. Some waiting to be edited but a lot more to be filmed once lockdown is over.

[@ryklin1]

Very impressive what you’ve demonstrated here.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you kindly

[@MrClarkM]

Awesome video ! your dog is having some fun too by the looks of it !

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you. Yep Billy is always keen to jump in the canoe. Missing it at present with lockdown.

[@marshalkrieg2664]

I like the idea of a sailing canoe, I might try it but I watched your dog a lot too, as i'm looking for one since my precious Daisy died of old age a few months back and I need to get another one, I miss her so much.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep Billie is a reasonably good canoe dog but he does like to move around a lot. Yep dogs are good company.

[@justme-wh5li]

always wondered how without plate/keel or rudder - will make a rig and try it. looks fun.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

It is not as efficient as using a lee board but it is a lot of fun. Thanks for commenting

[@Mainepolingguide]

Thanks for showing large chunks in time so we could actually see what you were doing. I've always sailed several boats rafted together. My poles don't break down. I also had a 66 pound first mate like yours, walking around the boat. Trouble. 🐶

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

That is some first mate. Yep I think I would appreciate being rafted with that one

[@JackDaniels-kn2go]

that looks like fun. gettin a sail. thanks for sharing.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

It was! Love my time out there sailing.

[@martinoutdoors6941]

That was great, I really fancy trying this.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

It's good. Give it a try (carefully).

[@philschaefer4651]

Thanks Ray. I'm really looking forward to trying this in the summer. Fortunately I've got a small sheltered lake that's reasonably warm to learn in.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Its good to have safe place to practice. It can easily go wrong in the early learning stages. Have fun.

[@philschaefer4651]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe I fully expect to get some swimming and self rescue practice in while learning to sail. lol

[@timswope8423]

I have a gheenoe classic, limited range with weight and limited fuel. Add your sail, and I can sail around Everglades on 6 gallons of fuel. The caluso Indians out of Marco island used a sail in the front of their canoes and traveled back and forth from Florida to Cuba.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Sounds tremendous. What a place to canoe sai.

[@archerc4828]

In 1710 gold coast pirates used sailing canoes called paraguay (Para Agua). Spanish meaning "For Water". This makes sense as a parasol means "For the sun" and para llueve means "For the rain".

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I like that. Another little (golden) nugget of information to tuck away. Thanks

[@davidansonia4694]

Thanks Ray, worth waiting for, can’t wait for the snow to go and get back out on the water.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you. No snow here yet so more videos to work on in the next months.

[@dimitristripakis7364]

That looks like fun indeed!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

It is indeed.😁

[@davidmacleod7646]

You would enjoy the Canadian canoe museum in Peterborough, Ontario. I built a sail retrofit kit for about $75 with old sailboat and sailboard parts. Yours is far more portable, but mine has leaboards and a rudder. I think yours makes more sense, but I can tack up wind. I think Bill Mason would approve of yours, not mine. Ha ha! Thanks for your video, really brilliant!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I am actually a member of the National Council for the Museum. A great privilege to help the museum. Yep sailing is great fun and I must practice with a more efficient rig and lee boards, as you say my current rig can only do so much. Yep it would be interesting what Bill would have made of it all. Keep well and enjoy the sailing.

[@moonolyth]

That banana is cooking! Minimal stuff but that's great along with the padle idea !!!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

It is great fun as well. Many thanks

[@wesleyshafer6310]

This is awesome looks super efficient. I just got my first canoe so I'm going to stick to flat water for now.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Great fun as well. But as you say better to build up the skills in easier places. Have fun with your first canoe.

[@LongStraightLines]

Love your dog!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Billie is good! Very used to being in canoes.

[@john3Lee]

Your dog has had way too much coffee !!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep. But believe it or not he is a lot less random than a couple of year ago. We used to call him Billie Bonkers and the bonkers bit was well deserved.

[@chrispalmer1255]

Good job bud! Thank you for all the explanations

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you for your kind comments. Appreciated

[@carlsimmons305]

Really useful & easy enough to follow, so thank you… plan to fit out a several boats for a friend, so likely to be watching more of your video’s :-)

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you

[@markdwestwood]

Great video thanks Ray 👏🏻👏🏻

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@knucker4931]

A nice demo. I still prefer a brolly for downwind sailing, although I do have one of Dave's original downwind sails too. Definitely sail when you can, paddle when you have to. Best wishes Al

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Fair enough! I do have a picture in my book of brolly sailing. Mind we did manage to invert the brolly in the end. Thanks Al

[@wcronin7307]

Or...you could build a couple of lee boards to help sail sideways to the wind or even tack. That way the paddle can be used for steering alone. I have made a similar rig for a 15 foot canoe, but the sail needed improving.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi, yep lee boards do help a lot and I even had one with me in the canoe. I thought about including it but decided against it in the end as I wanted to present a relatively simple start for most folk. Maybe I need to cover it in a later video. Maybe with my more efficient sail system that I have. Anyway have fun.

[@lutherwilson4260]

Nice

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you

[@TheCampingCanuck]

We've kinda done this before....not with a nicy fancy sail, but with camp towels. Great vid, thanks for sharing. Subbed too :)

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you. Would have liked to see the camp towel sailing ;-)

[@nigelgregory4777]

As always Ray, awesome content, looking forward to learning this, I have many questions but they are for another day, first I need to learn how to paddle straight 😂😂😂, Take care my friend, Nige, ☕☕

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

made me chuckle. Yep a bit of paddling straight before charging about under sail. Have fun

[@FayazAhmad-yl6sp]

Like it.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you

[@drewmacmillan6954]

Most Impressive!! I will be trying this in my canoe, Hell Yes ! Cheers!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

It is good fun.

[@Blaze49AzSd]

Nice video, maybe a daggerboard on port and starboard can help. Thanks

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep a leeboard would help but I wanted to show the simplest system using paddle only. Perhaps I should do a second video showing it’s use? Anyway thanks for commenting.

[@twiceknightly1391]

Wow super smart! I did something similar in Puget Sound, Washington State, with a 2 person Kayak and 2 paddles to hold the sheet like a controllable mast kinda thing.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you. Have you seen or tried any of the specialist sea kayak sail rigs?

[@twiceknightly1391]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Nah. But im super interested now 😆. Sounds cool

[@timswope8423]

Awesome!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad you think so!

[@citizenwolf8720]

Dog: Huuumans boring. Water fun. Nice video, thanks.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Billie does like to play! Oddly enough he will never go for a swim deliberately even though he plays a lot in the water. He can swim well enough when he falls overboard or god forbid we capsized (I get a look of disgust from him in those situation).

[@doliergr]

Great video Ray!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you. Appreciated.

[@cliffmathew]

Very informative.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad you think so! Thanks

[@RooDavis]

Ray I see there are others on the lake so you are not alone, but would love to see a video of how you would self-rescue if you did capsize out in the middle of the lake, or off the coast

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

It is on the list but not sure when.

[@grahamfisher5436]

I'm kiting my Hòu Prospector 16, out for sailing. absolutely love the, paddle doubling as the tiller. simple and saves buy more kit.. I'm making me own sail..so what would be the best shaped sail, for best performance.. excellent tutorial. idea.. if you could? film from above using a drone, to show when you heading downwind direction. but more, to clearly show the tacking at 90° with Arrows overlaid to show the wind direction. kinda live moving diagram. Also, I'm wanna come sail/paddle with you lovely folks.. Open Canoeing is FANTASTIC.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi Graham, Best book for sail shapes would be John Bull's, 'Sail your Canoe.' Hard to get a cheap copy as it is out of print but it has masses of information on sail shapes and sizes. Mine is a simple shape and is by Endless River. Ideas: It is hard to produce these videos and I am afraid I cannot afford to have my own drone (the income from KZbin is scarily minimal) so am very dependent of friends and when they are available. It is a good idea but will depend on having a friend available with drone and the right weather/wind conditions. I have been planning something on those lines for a while. Anyway glad it was useful and thanks for commentating.

[@grahamfisher5436]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Hi Ray, thank for taking your valuable to reply.. this open Canoeing stuff is absolutely fantastic. I've a rare condition, (5% of world population), APD, which is a social reclusive condition,, so Canoeing is such a medicine.. I'm planning to so the Scottish Lochs in May.. so really excited. keep doing the videos,, you keep us viewers so inspired. A goal, would be to do the Irish sea crossing.. your such a inspiration

[@the_old_standard]

the dog!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep Billie is pretty cool. He is out with me most days I am on the water so although he enjoys exploring the land more. It does get him to some amazing places.

[@MonstroLab]

Magnificent! Bow cam shot really gives me an idea what to do and expect and how to position my paddle...i was wondering how you guys sail without leeboards and rudder but here you are even outperforming a single leeboard ...i can see the advantage being able to position the paddle anywhere vs the static position of a pivoting leeboard and less gear to set up or fail! Cant wait to get my sail thanks for sharing!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep I like the simplicity of using a paddle as a lee board. But at the end of the day it is not as efficient as a leeboard but it does avoid carrying extra kit.

[@kenwebster5053]

Nice video, I have the sound off as I'm listening to Loreena McKennitt right now. The dog doesn't look real comfortable, probably thinks your crazy. That's dogs though. Anyway, I like your paddle blade shape, as it shows a really good understanding of the induced loss relationship between, area, perimeter and depth. Very efficient for area and weight. The sail plan could use some similar work though. Have you considered incorporating shock cord in the sheet so that the sail can auto respond to gusts and lulls? Don't know how well that would work, probably depends on length thickness and tension of the shock cord. As an experienced dinghy sailor and kayaker, I think it's worth trying on inland waters where thermal gusts can be absolutely ballistic. The boat moves along nicely and you managing it well, might be a bit easier though if you add a boom traveler, or that might get in your way, not sure. If it works, the sail will auto tack for you allowing you to just manage your paddle for control.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Good choice of music! Some good ideas on sailing there too. I probably need to get out again with dingy sailors. Yep it is a very is very basic and I have long thought on getting a sail maker to make me up a properly cut one. Not heard of the shock cord idea: I will look to try that. Problem with a boom traveler is that it would need to be behind me, I presume, so my body will get in the way (I have tried something along these lines). Anyway thanks for the comments, useful food for thought.

[@kenwebster5053]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Hi, While dingy and particularly racing skiffs use flexible rigs to efficiently exploit gusts, no such sailor would ever put shock chord in the sheet. However, combining extensive dinghy experience including consistent state and national placing of my youth, decades of kayaking/canoe paddling and fluid dynamics study and design, I think there may be a place for it in canoe sailing. In terms of high performance sailing, flex is a good thing but only up to a point. The basic idea is to allow the peak of the sail to twist off in a gust to automatically spill excess heeling moment in exchange for low drag. This is what the square top sails on race boats are all about (leverage to twist off). However excess twist can cause the peak of the sail to reverse camber (curve) which is of course bad for drag. Your rig appears quite stiff but adding shock cord to the sheet will allow the sail to twist off in a similar manner but success will likely depend on getting the thickness and length of the shock cord right. Would take a little experimenting to get right but, much simpler than messing about with spar flex, rig tensions etc so worth a go I think. I could give you some pointers on the subject of efficient sail plan shape if you would like. There are different approaches but the same basic issues of drive force vs healing moment. European vs mid east vs Polynesian solutions. If you want to enter into that discussion, let me know.

[@CharlieDoubleWhiskey]

Suggestion: attach a second sheet, and run one to each side, and just let off the cam cleats when you gybe.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I will have a play with that. Nice idea

[@NIKOLASINGLESSIS]

You need some kind of leeboard to use when going against the wind and use paddle for steering !!!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I did have a leeboard with me but in the end decided not to cover its use in this video. With just the paddle I can do 90 degrees to the wind after that, with this system, I paddle. Also that is not that well cut a sail so it isn't really that efficient compared to my bigger rigs. Perhaps another video to make?

[@adamstewart247]

Looks like a recipe for death lol but more power to you for making it work

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Like every thing on a big lake you have to be well practiced and understand the dangers. Then it is fun

[@NIKOLASINGLESSIS]

I hope the name of the dog is "Ballast" !!!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Better known as Billie Bonkers (although he has calmed down in recent years). But Billie Ballast would make a good name.

[@saule_8008]

Nice. I'd use Twice the sail.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you. I do have a bigger sail system but this is nice to pop into the canoe for general use and great for for beginners.

[@ocsapy]

Simply Amazing 😊 ... how do you counter a potential capsizing using the sail ❓️

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

With the weight really low in the canoe it is surprisingly stable still. Also ready to let go of the sail at any moment which takes off all the power and turning/capsize effect. Plus i practice self rescue

[@ocsapy]

Excellent thank you ... 😎

[@garrywright4393]

Hello, Thanks for sharing. I would like to purchase the sail or a similar sail set up. Brilliant work!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Many thanks! In the UK I get the sails and kit from: www.endlessriver.co.uk/sailing/solo-sail/

[@henryclarke2492]

Hi Ray, I always come to your videos first for all things canoeing! Which cam clams do you use on your forward thwarts? I’ve looked everywhere but all I’ve found seem too big 😔 thank you!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi Henry. The last ones I bought were from the Marine Superstore and 10mm size (max line). www.marinesuperstore.com/deck-hardware/cleats-and-fairleads/barton-k-cam-cleat

[@cid4887]

i thought cannoe would go upside down when installed by a sail but no, that looks stable.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

And that is a small sail compared with what some use! They really shift.

[@clee5653]

Looks great! How close can you sail into the wind like that?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Not very. With a lee board I can make way to wind ward but the angle is small. The sail is a bit small and not cut well enough to be efficient to windward. I do have a Solway Dory rig and that is very much better and will act more like a dingy. I love this sail for the convenience but I still end up paddling into the wind.

[@graemed-g522]

Amazing. You obviously have hours and hours doing this behind you. I love how you use the paddle as your centreboard by counter balancing it on the sheet. That sail looks so tiny and yet that canoe is really moving. Love that your dog enjoys it so much too! I can't wait to try something like this with our canoe. Also looking forward to the day I am that confident in a canoe! Bravo! Lake Ontario, Canada

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you very much! Yep a lot of hours. There are more efficient sails out there but this packs small and suits what I do. Yep Billie is very good in a boat but I think he enjoyed the shore time more with plenty of splashing. Again thank you.

[@styxrakash4639]

No centerboard or skeg how do you not just get pushed all over the place side to side?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

There is still 15' of canoe in the water so it can maintain a track. However without the leeboard then it cannot making effective progress into the wind.. I do have a couple of leeboard so perhaps I need to do a video with these in use. It is a very simple rig I am using so I am really happy with progress either on a broad reach or downwind. It suits the style of travel I do.

[@kristineb473]

Awe inspiring great job

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you so much for your kind comment.

[@crystalcars5210]

That dog has the zoomies

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I had to look up what the zoomies were! Now I know I have to agree. I have to make him stop on white water.

[@Tim8o1]

Very good Vid Ray; I enjoyed that. I have one of Dave's sails and I didn't know that a canoe could sail that close to the wind with one. Did I spy a leeboard in the bottom of your boat?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you and well spotted with the leeboard. I had originally intended to include a short section on leeboards but it didn't fit time wise on the water. Perhaps I should have made the effort but there is always the future. I reckon I can sail up to 90 degrees to the wind. After than I would have to be using the leeboard and even then it is a fairly simple cut on the sail so not that efficient. I do like these simple rigs though.

[@blackspruceroutes]

im guessing the hull shape makes a huge difference!? Hard to beat a good prospector!?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

It certainly does make a big difference. The other canoe I sail is a Venture Afon which is designed for serious white water and has a lot of rocker, very stable in open water and dry but it has little bite on the water so has much more sideways drift when going across the wind. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iorXh5Z5ad5rl9k

[@callmebigpapa]

Great video thanks for posting, would this work with DIY outriggers installed?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

callmebigpapa Yes it would but I think I would go for a bigger sail in that case. The Open Canoe Sailing Group, on Facebook, is a good source of information on that. My knowledge of outriggers is extremely limited

[@timstradservice1739]

Hello Ray! I came across your channel the other day. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! I would be interested to hear how you dress for canoeing during the colder seasons and what kind of shoes/boots you wear.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi, Generally, in the coldest of the winter, I wear a drysuit in other than the easiest situations. It means if I take a dunk I can still continue without having to change clothing. I am supported by NRS so I use one of their drysuits. Under this fleeces and thermals (good friends use Merino wool in preference). Up until recently I have used the 5.10 Canyoneers as footwear but they have ceased production so am using a boot built for the rescue services and swift water rescue: r3sargear.com/collections/water-rescue-boots/products/bestard-sar-pro-water-rescue-boots They have worked well for me in and out of the boat. Hope that helps. Regards Ray

[@timstradservice1739]

Thanks for taking the time to answer my question!

[@aftech7268]

Nice ! can u narrate or edit the video with subtitle explaining what type of wind your receiving and what technique u are doing to the paddle to push the canoe forward ? Thanks

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Sadly it is not possible to really edit videos once they are uploaded to KZbin.

[@ksben2966]

How efficient is your current sail rig for going up wind? I guess you could just increase the size of the sail and use 2 paddles as the dagger board to make it more efficient. (add a small rod and arrange them like the letter A)

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I do have a lee board that I can use, that would make it more efficient to windward. But the limiting factor is the sail shape and size. I is a very simple cut but not by a sail maker who would create a better shape. So I would say this particular rig is inefficient going to windward.

[@lambertthomas5513]

ITS nearly impossible to upright and reenter a capsized canadian canoe in deep water. And unballastet sailvessels acustombrize to capsize. She sails well, I advice to use outriggers for stability and spareboyancy.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

The whole point of my rig is that I can sail it and easily dismantle it to continue down a white water river. most of us who use these small rigs practise capsize and reentry. I now fit side air bags, internal to hull, to make the reentry easier. But thanks for commenting and your thoughts it is all useful stuff

[@welshpaddler]

Sailing is fun. When are we going to get a video just of Billy Bonkers?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I will approach Billy's agent. He don't come cheap.

[@heyreggey300]

Doesn't look like Endless River ships outside the UK - am I mistaken?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I know they have sent stuff before. You would have to email them to get an answer on this.

[@brucebaldy]

nice lil gaff rig, very efficient and not too top heavy. Even pupper dog got the hang of gibe. Fun.Where does the hardware come from?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep dog is well used to it now. I get from a UK company: www.endlessriver.co.uk Until Endless river made them I had a friend that would knock them up for me.

[@DeeKayBrewery]

Great video... must try this one day.... are you on the stern seat or kneeling thwart?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

kneeling. I really like the stability kneeling gives me when I am sailing.

[@DeeKayBrewery]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe yes I can understand that.... is that kneeling from the seat or further forward on a thwart? I guess what I'm implying is do you assume the same trim for sailing as you would paddling or does the sail and application of forces from the wind change that?

[@javim2501]

Is there any way to buy this or something identical in North America? Having trouble finding anything similar.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I have not spotted it in North America. Endless River will post the sail from the UK though.

[@javim2501]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe They will? There is the solution. Thanks mate.

[@fixitalljohn]

awesome I'll let you know how I makeout

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Have fun and I look forward to hearing about it

[@maxxsee]

wouldnt it be easier to have 2 ropes and just slack the one not being used thus not having to switch sides for the rope all the time?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

A couple of people have suggested that and I am going to give it a try. Not convinced but I will give it a go.

[@maxxsee]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe alright, u might need a 'small clamp' to just hold the slacking line attatched to the sail a distance (iin the middle of bottom of sail for example) from you that the line is put into when not in use in order for it to not be in the way, or similar. God bless

[@gregory1778]

Excellent sailing well done. How big is the sail? Never mentioned it, not even clarified at retailer!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I very sorry but I overlooked your comment. So here are the measurements: Upright on pole/mast is 57 inches (145cm). The bottom edge which is at right angles to the mast is 55 inches (140cm) including sleeve that fits over mast. The other edges run at an angle so outside edge is 72 inches (183cm) and the top edge is 44 inches (112cm). So area is a meagre 2.25 square metres or roughly 18 square feet. Again sorry for slow response but I did miss this one. Regards

[@kenscott-clegg5956]

Hi Ray. How do you fit the cleats to the thwart. I have just purchased a couple but the bolts are very short.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Easy. I ditch the bolts and find some screws of right diameter and length.

[@GrenvilleMelonseedSkiff496]

Brilliant stuff ... thanks. I sail a sprit rigged skiff but I also have a 16' canoe ... might have to look into getting a sailing rig for it too. Those camera views from the bow looking aft are excellent ... I'll have to look into rigging something to support the GoPro on the bow of my skiff. Are you using a particular piece of kit to mount your camera at the the bow? Thanks for a fun video and cheers from Montreal.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thanks for those comments. Re camera mount: the kit is from Railblaza. I have their starports mounted on the bow and stern plates of the canoe www.railblaza.co.uk/mounts/railblaza-starport-2-pack-black.html Then the camera boom drops very easily into those www.railblaza.co.uk/electronics/cameras/railblaza-r-lock-camera-boom-600.html. I am very pleased with both the product and the resulting camera positions. HOWEVER: You must attach the camera via a operate leash to the canoe, I have seen a knock undo the locking mechanism on two occasions. one on land where I learnt my lesson, the second on the water having gone through branches. With the camera attached by strong cord to the canoe I lost nothing. Thera are dealers in Canada: www.railblaza.com/dealers/america/canada/ I have my iPhone in a waterproof case and control my GoPro via the app. Easy stuff.

[@GrenvilleMelonseedSkiff496]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Ta very much!!

[@mountainpaddler2242]

so you've got me interested in canoe sail, but I havent found anything similar to your setup here in America. Do you know of any similar designs in he US?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I so sorry but I don't. before a couple of companies produced these in the UK we had to get our own sown up. I think my first two were 'homemade'. For a mast foot I tried various things before we could buy them and the best I did was an inflation port for a white water rubber raft (I had to cut out the metal insert). If you do come across a company doing them in America let me know and I will pass it on to others.

[@mountainpaddler2242]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe yes, I think that’s how I’ll have to proceed. Thanks for the information.

[@chaswarren7239]

Another great video, how come you don't have thousands of likes ! I notice you have a Solway Dory ? leeboard too ?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Good question! Working away slowly on this KZbin thing. Yep well spotted on the Leeboard.

[@tom.2900]

Hi! I'd love to know if you were actually managing to make progress upwind, or losing alot of it during the change and line adjustment. Thanks for the tips!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi there. No not making progress upwind, would have needed a proper leeboard and ideally a better cut and more efficient rig. The way I use it on journeys I rarely need to change tack so real efficiency in coming about isn't really that necessary: if I had a rig that was suited to going upwind then I would have to sort the change of direction and line adjustment to not lose ground. Good questions!

[@johnmccormick8159]

Yank here, I'm interested in your accent. It's the pronunciation of the 'r'. What part of Great Britain is this common? Thank you.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi John, so i have lived here in Wales for 40 years but still I have my west country accent. So West of England and in particular Somerset not far from the city of Bath. Rolling the 'r's is the distinctive sound. I have been out of there for so long my accent has really mellowed. My wife can struggle to understand some of my relatives when we visit. PS I love that this is a non canoeing question. Best wishes

[@Mithranos]

I want that dog. :)

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Sorry Billie says no 🐶

[@Mithranos]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Good dog! :)

[@stevegrandpre]

Very cool! I love the paddle as daggerboard technique. I noticed you only jibe on this video - is it possible to tack with this setup?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Not efficiently with this rig and I have got into the habit of gybing. But with a bit of paddling to assist a tack is possible. Thank you for you comments.

[@gzmask]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe is it because you don't want the boom swipe your way, so that you position it this way and tacking becomes inefficient?

[@grahamrowe6278]

Nice one. Appreciating that canoe sails are realistically 'with the wind' in their deployment, how close do you reckon you could squeeze 'to the wind' out of that rig in that boat?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Around 90 degrees to the wind using a paddle as leeboard. With a proper leeboard I have seen someone get another 15 degrees or more.

[@grahamrowe6278]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe That's impressive. It's not easy with forward masted, small sailed, boat and no balanced position of a board, to work into the wind at all. Would be handy to pull 45deg though, ay.

[@kirktongardener7180]

Fabulous! Thank you Ray. Watching this has got me very excited about branching away from our downwind sail and having a try with a solo sailing rig. Do you favour an aluminium or a carbon pole to use with the sail?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I use either and they work equally well. Have fun learning

[@kirktongardener7180]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Thanks. I'm sure I will😁

[@grahamfisher5436]

@@kirktongardener7180 Hi, Kirkton, I recently had a introduction to polling, Tried both Ally and Carbon . Preferred the Carbon, As found the alloy, to be cold to hold. whatever you do... Have a brilliant time on the wonderful waters. 🤗🤗🌊⛵🌊🌊🌊👍👍😜🤪😜🤘🤙🤘🤘🤩🤩🤩🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@grahamfisher5436]

ps the sail mast doubles as a Pole . so double bonus see Ray's polling Videos ...

[@paddlermike]

Excellent video. Love the idea of running the sheet through a crab attached to outside lacing, but quick question if you don't mind. I normally have the lacing tight, utilising PVC tube to create attachment loops on the inside whilst leaving a clean outline on the outside. I am about to re lace, but wondering how you left enough slack to allow easy clipping whilst not leaving saggy snag hazards (I know its a minimal risk, but have seen some odd snags whilst on river)? Is it the case that you go slightly less tight whilst lacing in that area and general friction will enable rest of lacing to be tight? Cheers Mike

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Really good point and after using it with the crab for sailing it does leave a little loop clear but never really worried about it. I suppose I never crank the lacing up so much I cannot get a crab into it if I really need. Never varied the amount of tightness in any area when lacing. Will have a look at my own boat to check.

[@paddlermike]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Cheers Ray

[@Trondset]

I was looking a the endless river kits. wich mast do you recoment, I'm worried that the alumium might break. I got a Linder Inkas 465 btw.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

All the poles are designed for poling off the river bed (there are two of my videos on this) so all of them are plenty strong enough with such a small sail area. Have fun

[@ptrckmuir]

Good morning Ray. I'm looking to buy a pair of cam cleats. Are the cheap ebay ones ok or is there a brand of cleat you would recommend?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I tend to have to look every time I outfit a boat so I have no preferred brand. I have bought from ebay, amazon and specialist stores over the years and the end result seems fine in all cases. Sorry I cannot be more useful.

[@ptrckmuir]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Your advice is always useful. Thanks again Ray and have a wonderful day. 👍

[@jonnyangelboy]

Hi Ray, loved this video in fact it inspired me to go out and rig my boat exactly like yours, living 10 mins from one of the norfolk broads I tried it out and used the information you gave out and found that I now have a canoeing genre that I can use on a day when it’s windy and I normally wouldn’t want to paddle because it’s was to much effort. One question I would like to ask is you say the solway dory sail is bigger than the endless river sail, can you still use the same pole for the rig?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Really need to use the specialist kit that Solway Dory sells although I did replace the boom in one configuration with a canoe pole. The SD rigs are very good but more than I need/want for what I get up to but they do have a dedicated following. Have fun with it all.

[@michaelisidorospinelli3433]

How long is your canoe?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

4.46 meters 15 foot 5 inches

[@CuHead1]

I'm interested in modifying a Royalex Old Town Penobscot 17 to accept a sail rig. It's a zero rocker boat, and has light primary and strong secondary stability; it tracks straight and only turns quick if leaned almost to the gunnel. Do you have any experience/advice on suitability of sailing the Penobscot 17? Wonderful presentation of your sailing mods.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Great boat the Penobscot: I have paddle one but not sailed it. I would think it would be fine but it would be worth joining the following facebook group and asking for comment there: facebook.com/groups/152444938788 Generally a friendly group and a lot of very very experienced canoe sailers there.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep a great boat the Penobscot. I would think it would do well but it maybe worth checking/joining this facebook group for some good advice facebook.com/groups/152444938788