DIY Cheap Canoe Sail!

[@merzoutdoors]

Hey guys- here's the finished canoe out on the Potomac! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJi7e3yGdr6fhq8

[@BillyGirlardo]

When I heard, "I don't know all the sailing terms", I knew I had to follow this guy cuz we're speaking the same language and I'm prepping my recently bartered canoe too.

[@merzoutdoors]

Nice, hope your canoe works out well for you!

[@paulp1a]

ill never forget as a kid, my brother and i rigged a sail to our inflatable fish hunter boat and it worked really well in cape cod bay. we spent hours zipping around

[@mikefule]

That's genuinely an interesting design and I like the tripod mast. When you are paddling downstream in a fairly fast current, there is not a ripple on the surface and the leaves are not moving, but you feel a light breeze on your face, that is not the wind blowing upstream that you can feel; it is the apparent wind of you passing through still air.

[@merzoutdoors]

Ah, that makes sense, explains a lot!

[@archer721]

“The battery died so you just didn’t see it” 🤣🤣😂🤣LOL!!! Epic line!

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

The only place more difficult to sail than a narrow river with tall trees is a small lake surrounded by hills that give you endless shifting winds. I think you are doing great with your design and look forward to you getting someplace more open with a steady breeze. The sail area does look a little large. However, I bet you could add an outrigger very easily. The lateen rig you are using is not very common in the US but it is very easy to lower and puts the center of effort very low which is good for your canoe. I am happy to subscribe.

[@merzoutdoors]

Awesome, thanks Robb. Stay tuned, I'm working on my leeboards and rudder!

[@summerequinocio9171]

Congratulations! I never ever saw a trípode master. It’s a real good stuff!

[@ilyafaden1789]

nice rig. it is hard to catch wind on a river like that . It really has to be a breezy day. But when you do it is bloody magic.

[@andrewmcdonald7077]

Awesome! Perfect video for answering all my Lateen sail questions for a small craft. Fascinating.

[@merzoutdoors]

Thanks, I'm still learning myself!

[@Heybudhowsitgoing]

Hey man I love this! I have a nice DIY kayak sailing setup posted on my KZbin here. I was thinking about switching the rig to a Lateen and found your video here! You did a great job! I just changed my leeboard setup from dual cuttingboards to a single asymmetrical leeboard. I found an old, long 55cm windsurfing fin and used it as my leeboard. I too started out with just a sail and ended up turning my kayak into a full sailing rig

[@merzoutdoors]

Thanks Stephen. I checked out your rig, thanks for the ideas :). I liked both your leeboard setups, I'm going to be experimenting when the weather turns in a few months. I went lateen for simplicity sake, but I do want to try leeboards and larger sail too.

[@danhoyt9961]

I just got the book this rig came from. it looks like it will work well

[@MCP53]

This is brilliant! I live on a narrowboat on the UK canals. We are allowed a tender at no extra cost, maximum 9 feet long, and I love to row and sail. There are lots of bridges over the canals, and they are not high, so the mast would have to be really short, so a lug or lateen rig would be ideal. I also live off grid, so simplicity and self-reliance are also important. You are giving me so many ideas :-)

[@merzoutdoors]

That's awesome, Malcolm, and thanks! It's super easy to hoist this setup, and seems to work so far. Check out my video where I added a rudder and leeboards too, that may give you some more ideas.

[@robertknowles2699]

Like a square sail with 2 yards, a shrouded stayed shorter mast might bring mast height to clear obstruction. Plus yard can be dropped in a gust.

[@gerrys6265]

I like the concept...thanks. by the way....what would you have done if your phone wasn't there?

[@merzoutdoors]

I'm just glad it didn't fall into the river!

[@leonlind6032]

Dead calm and in moving water haha you are adventurous!

[@one-eye-guy-0074]

How would the plastic cloth hold up in the open sun

[@merzoutdoors]

Yeah, I don't think you'd want to leave it out long-term!

[@sandrahollenbeak2642]

Do I have to register it as a sail boat

[@Schallerotto]

Congratulations for the Idea! Great! I'll try that. What is the sail's pole made of?

[@merzoutdoors]

It's metal conduit from the hardware store. I believe the tripod is 1" diameter and the lateen yard is two poles of 3/4". I thought about pvc, but it's too expensive

[@chrismccartney8668]

You can use paddle as rudder and leeboard as used by Duck Punt Sailers plenty if duck punt sailing on youtube

[@merzoutdoors]

Ah yeah, that's a great idea. I built the rudder and leeboard already (check that vid out) but I'd like to come up with some easy sail setups involving the paddle too.

[@crippledkitty863]

I would make the tripod mast taller and further aft. That way you can balance the yard closer to it's center and only need one line near the bow. Also a leeboard just like you said.

[@merzoutdoors]

Yes, I agree 100% about the tripod location. Its current placement was purely a practical matter with materials and weight, but it would be way better the way you describe. Also, look in the description to see my fully rigged boat with the rudder and leeboard.

[@mierin2440814]

Good ! I try it my kayak ,thanks .

[@acco244]

what a BRIGHT idea dude!!!!!! :)

[@merzoutdoors]

Thanks! Be sure to check out the improvements we made to it!

[@NavigatedChaos]

So where do you sit? Seems the sail takes up the entire canoe, how are you going to stay on the boat when the sail turns and huts your entire body?

[@StudioCluiss]

You duck underneath and switch sides

[@StudioCluiss]

And theoretically you choose and know when the sail will turn so you’ll be prepared for it

[@merzoutdoors]

Thankfully there's no boom so we just grab the sail and pull it over us if we need to. We thought about rigging it up higher but it seems to work ok down low. Check out my other videos to see it in action a little more. Thanks!

[@19midnightsun87]

Do you have a centerboard? I feel like you are just going to get blown off to the side in stronger winds without one.

[@merzoutdoors]

Exactly, no centerboard for this test, just the sail. I was going to use paddle as a leeboard, but wasn't really any wind anyway!

[@RatCatCrew]

This is incredible thank you for making this video! I was thinking about springing for a solway dory kit. Reach and even close reach?! Your design is brilliant!

[@merzoutdoors]

Glad it was helpful!, I'm just making it up as I go.

[@elizabethmcintire7885]

Sweet rig. Is that an inner tube? Would absolutely watch more videos of this, like how you built it and more on how you set it up.

[@elizabethmcintire7885]

And how you built that metal part.

[@merzoutdoors]

@@elizabethmcintire7885 Hey Elizabeth, thanks! Once the weather warms up I'd like to make some followup videos, and try to get some actually sailing in with better wind. Also, I'll definitely come up with a "how to" type video. My goal was a sail setup that was cheap and quick. I don't know what you mean about the inner tube though, can you elaborate? Thanks.

[@AJ-qp3tg]

we want the sailing video! please? good job mate

[@merzoutdoors]

It's cold out! I'm excited to try some of my new modifications too. Stay tuned friend.

[@AJ-qp3tg]

@@merzoutdoors cmon man😂. ok i am going to wait (but not much lol) meanwhile i am going to subscribe

[@merzoutdoors]

@@AJ-qp3tg Fair enough!

[@deltafour1212]

Did you have to drill holes in the seat of the canoe to hold the supports? Now that you tried it out, what would you change if any on your design

[@merzoutdoors]

Great question. Yes, I did drill holes- I was going for simplicity of installation. The plastic canoe is pretty thick, so the holes feel durable and rigid. I considered using some pipe clamps or brackets, but that would have added to the complexity. In hindsight, I might make my "mast" (tripod) taller and further back so it's supporting the sail from the center rather than at the bow. This would give better balance and stability in a strong breeze. The tradeoff is that the mast itself would have to be way taller, thus heavier, less stable, and more complex. Also, I'd make the sail bigger (15'x15' rather than 10'x10') so it would go all the way from stern to bow :) This of course would mean I'd almost certainly need the mast in the center and some outriggers too, thus yet again adding more complexity. Probably not a rig I could easily install and uninstall while paddling down a river. What I ended up with was a decent balance between "moderately functional sail" and "roll into a small bundle and stow somewhere." Maybe I'll try a new idea when the weather warms up!

[@rickhawkins218]

Does sailing work without a keel or centre board? I think you world have more luck with some form of keel.

[@merzoutdoors]

You're right, I added the leeboard in a followup video.

[@jonjon2663]

great setup! thanks for sharing!

[@bunyipdan]

I think you are on the right track with the lanteen rig.....have a look at Romy Sail Rig, it has a similar vibe but a little more refined system and simpler sail operation. If you make a T frame across thwarts to swing a leeboard from and you can get a little wider base for the mast A-frame, then run an extended bow sprit forward from that. The gaff boom (pole that the sail hangs from) can provide the longitudinal tension/stability for the mast no need for the bow to top of mast pole. I think if you can get your hands on an old windsurfer rig it would make an ideal donor for all nessesary parts (could also provide a really good floatation arma for outrigger configuration, and a suitable leeboard).

[@merzoutdoors]

Wow, thanks for sharing about the Romy Sail Rig, that concept it very cool and would certainly help simplify my rigging procedure. But I love the aesthetics of the lateen, so we'll see :)

[@leaveonlywake]

Funny, I came here from that Romy rig video; replied above before seeing your comment. I have several windsurfing masts I've used as sails on my dinghy, currently investigating rigs for use on a Aqua Finn hull in order to be able to reef the sail. Made a lug this past fall using the original spar and that's OK, thinking I may make a small junk rig this spring and try that out prior to converting my liveaboard sailboat, but after seeing the Romy and this, the wheels are turning. :)

[@ProfY3ll0wm00n]

Well done!

[@puppetstate]

Best video ever

[@toniwilson6210]

Slightly different design. Excellent attempt at simplicity

[@fistofthenorthstar9010]

i wouldn't mind seeing your progress.

[@merzoutdoors]

OH... IT'S COMING........ STAY TUNED.......

[@iklink]

You need some cleats for quick tie offs

[@logankell9778]

Nice setup you've got. I've been looking for info on a DIY flying lateen for awhile now. My idea is to use it on a 17' MonArk canoe. I'm considering building some outriggers to help with stability since it'll be used on local lakes and the wind can kick up a bit. Is there a formula you used to determine sail size or did you just go with what looked right? Also is that like 3/4" conduit for your tripod? Thanks for sharing and best of luck!

[@merzoutdoors]

Hey, thanks a lot Logan!. Yes, I think outriggers will be necessary unless you're an adrenaline junky who's ready to lean waaayy over when the wind picks up. I've actually got a lame-brained idea in my head for a weighted keel, but outriggers are definitely cooler. I did not use a formula for the sail besides this one: "How can I use this 10 x10 plastic drop cloth that I have lying around?" So I cut it down the diagonal. The hypotenuse is about 14', conveniently the length of my canoe. And yes, the "yard" is 3/4" conduit (two pieces bolted together for easy transport), but the tripod mast is 1 inch. 3/4 might have been fine, but I felt that the 1 inch provided lots more structure for a tiny sacrifice of weight and cost.

[@BiuroHandloweDACER]

Lajk. Wspaniałe proste informacje. Bardzo przydatne. Pozdrowienia z Polski.

[@merzoutdoors]

Dziękuję Ci!

[@Zane-It]

This is good for an expedant boat build.

[@HeyCurtis]

It's called a "Flying Lateen" rig. There's a company in California that was trying to push these a few years ago.

[@Bikerbob59]

Good stuff. Thanks.

[@capefear3297]

Enjoyed. Though the first step should have been wearing a PFD, especially while fumbling with a sail in a canoe on a muddy and swirling river.

[@merzoutdoors]

Safety first! You're right...

[@darrelltiencken2413]

It looks like your in the Amazon!

[@merzoutdoors]

I know, right? This is Virginia in August. Probably very much how it looked when John Smith and crew explored this very same river.

[@delldavis6222]

That looks like a lot of sail power for a narrow beam, non daggerboard, non sponson canoe. IMO.

[@merzoutdoors]

Yes, it is (if I had the wind to go with it...). But you're in luck, I'm about to put out my video with the leeboard and rudder.

[@archerc4828]

Cool Paragua.

[@merzoutdoors]

Thanks!

[@bbydjgk]

i want you to dress up as captain jack sparoow

[@neilboardman6640]

this is cool! just builders plastic for a sail! wont last long but who cares for the price it costs to make a new one.

[@merzoutdoors]

Thanks Neil. Yeah, I'll be curious to see what kind of use I get out of it before the grommets tear. Thankfully, I can patch it super easy with some tape if it tears :)

[@neilboardman6640]

By the way. I liked your project so much I decided to use your idea as base for my own Canoes.

[@merzoutdoors]

That's awesome! Hope it goes well, I'd love to see all the improvements and tweaks you come up with.

[@leaveonlywake]

Try blue tarp material, much stronger and more UV resistant.

[@b_ks]

Interesting, thanks.

[@ee232jensen]

Make a new mowie. 😉🇩🇰

[@merzoutdoors]

I'll have it ready today!

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

No outrigger, no dagger board, no.damn good. Nice try though.

[@merzoutdoors]

You're right! Just finished the leeboards and rudder.

[@edwardandannedamm4689]

Back corner= clew

[@KevinTravis-kw1rr]

Put that sail boat on Atlantic ocean.

[@johnryan2193]

Thats very like a Romy Rig , invented by an English man in the 1980s.

[@leaveonlywake]

Interesting, good ideas. Your tripod takes some complexity out of the hardware needed for a Romy rig type setup ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmOsnWiqrr5_jM0 ), although at a bit of 'expense' in sail shape, but it should be fine for small craft like canoes and dinghies. Thanks for posting, looking forward to your follow-up vid. :)

[@merzoutdoors]

Thanks for your thoughts and feedback!

[@ungeimpftgesundundstaatsfe2763]

☝️😍💪♥️👍👍👍👍

[@kyryl_2053]

It doesn't work when there's no wind😉😂

[@merzoutdoors]

Very true! Check out the other videos for a better sailing experience.

[@fishhuntadventure]

Sherlock

[@Whodeltit]

Some wind would be helpful