FYI, there’s music here. Just a quick Skydio2 drone edit from a few minutes I spent in the 15 footer a couple weeks ago. I’ve barely had time to paddle this canoe since I built it but I’m hoping to do more soon. Full specs and details in the May 2nd and 3rd post from this year.
As usual I’ve got the pop-up sail system installed. Using carbon fiber and ripstop nylon the whole rig weighs less than 2 pounds and tucks conveniently out of the way when not in use. In my 12’ pack canoes this super simple little sail lets me sail on a beam reach, but in larger canoes I am limited to broad reaches and downwind sailing. The secret to how fast this tiny scrap of canvas pushes me is not having any foils or any rudder in the water.
I’ll make a separate video later to show this in detail but basically I steer exclusively by shifting my body weight and changing the trim of the sail. To turn down wind I lean back and sheet in the sail, and to turn up wind I lean forward. I can also steer going straight down wind by letting the belly of the sail get ahead of the mast, which is generally a big no-no In larger craft because it induces a powerful rolling moment.
Wind here is gusting to about 10, anything more than that and the seat comes out, the float bags go in, and the PFD get strapped on tight.
I’ll try to video one of those missions soon!
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